Brainstorming

As part of our initial brainstorming session, we began identifying potential users who might experience the problem we aim to solve during this course. As a reminder, we chose to focus on the parking lot issue around campus and how finding a good parking spot can be challenging depending on the time of day. To explore different users, each of us considered various perspectives people might have regarding the problem, and we created four user profiles: a student with an irregular schedule, a university employee, a parking lot owner, and an occasional visitor to the university. During the brainstorming process, we used sticky notes, and each person wrote down ideas about what a user might say, do, see, hear, think, or feel in this situation—all while standing to promote better blood circulation to the brain (as suggested in class). The sticky notes were then placed on a board, and we discussed additional ideas and potential solutions to the problem.

Made by: Tomas Angel

During the brainstorming session, different solution alternatives emerged, which we categorized into the four convergence categories. These alternatives have some different characteristics, but the core of the solution is the same for all: an application that allows parking space reservations. The alternative that users would like the most (the most likely to delight) is the one that allows them to reserve without having to pay in advance and not receive a penalty if they don’t show up for the reservation. The riskiest alternative (the long shot) is one that uses artificial intelligence to predict which parking lots will fill up the fastest, so it can offer the user one that will be available when they arrive at the location. The rational alternative is to offer a solid and reliable platform that allows for advance reservations and integrated payments, showing real-time space availability and guaranteeing a spot for drivers before they arrive. Finally, the alternative that the team likes the most (the darling) is one that uses sensors to determine available parking spaces and allows payments through the app using a QR code.
Made by: Ingrith Barbosa

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Decision process

To choose the idea, we began with a brainstorming session in MicroSpirnt 2 based on the problems identified in our interviews. Each member presented the results of their interviews. We then used a divergence strategy (chaos) where, for each problem, members proposed possible features that could solve these problems within an app. This approach was chaotic because everyone could anonymously add a post-it note to any problem they wanted. After the divergence strategy, we conducted a poll to select the problem that was of most interest to the group.

After choosing the problem and generating a wide range of ideas and features for solving the problems identified in our interviews, we employed a convergence strategy to refine and focus our options. This involved a more structured and thoughtful brainstorming session in MicroSprint 3 with discussion where we created an intial empathy map with the user we could identify to better understand the needs and preferences. During this phase, we critically evaluated each idea, discussing its feasibility, relevance, and potential impact on different user groups. Through this convergence process, we were able to identify which ideas were most alignedin the group. Some ideas were liked by the group and considered valuable, while others were discarded because they were either not feasible or did not meet the needs of our target users. Additionally, we refined some ideas to ensure they addressed the needs of different users effectively. This methodical approach allowed us to converge on a single idea that best addressed the problem and had the most potential for success in our project.
Made by: Juan Manuel Pérez

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Empathy maps

Empathy map for a parking lot owner

Made by: Ingrith Barbosa

Empathy map for a university employee

Made by: Ingrith Barbosa

Empathy map for a university student

Made by: Tomas Angel

Empathy map for a irregular university visitor

Made by: Juan Manuel Pérez

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Personas

Persona with an irregular schedule

Made by: Tomas Angel

Persona with a regular schedule

By: Felipe Nunez

Persona for business owners

Made by: Ingrith Barbosa

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Solution

ParkEase is a new mobile app that aims to solve common parking problems in busy areas. The app lets users book a parking spot up to 15 minutes before they arrive. This helps avoid the hassle of driving around looking for a space, which saves time and reduces stress. The app shows users how many parking spots are available in real-time. This feature helps drivers know what to expect before they get to their destination. It can also help reduce traffic caused by cars circling around looking for parking.

ParkEase includes a review system where users can share their thoughts on different parking lots. This helps other drivers choose good parking spots based on what others have experienced. Users can learn about things like safety and cleanliness before they park. The app makes paying for parking easier by using its own digital currency. This means users don't have to deal with cash or cards when they park. It saves time by avoiding lines at payment machines.

Users can also check parking prices on the app before they arrive. This helps them plan their expenses and avoid surprise costs. It also helps build trust between parking lot owners and the people who use them. Overall, ParkEase tries to make parking easier by combining several useful features in one app. It offers reservations, real-time information, user reviews, and easy payments. This approach not only helps individual drivers but could also improve traffic flow in cities by making parking more efficient.

By: Felipe Nunez