1.Descriptions

Problem:

In the first place, our problem is the food waste in Bogota. In Colombia, according to the National Planning Department (2023), a food loss of 9.76 million tons per year is recorded, of which 3.54 million tons correspond to waste. This poses a problem because it goes against global sustainable development goals and exacerbates the situation of food insecurity. Additionally, nearly one-third of households in the country suffer from moderate or severe food insecurity. Food loss also leads to an increase in prices, resulting in both economic and social problems. This waste not only represents a significant loss of resources but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate change.

On the other hand, when it comes to food establishments such as restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets, it is evident that between 4% and 10% of their food supplies are wasted. This waste, according to the National Restaurant Association (2023), represents between 2% and 6% of their costs, which, according to the United Nations Department of Agriculture, signifies a substantial loss for the restaurant industry. These percentages not only reflect a loss of value but also an increase in costs that, although not high, could be reduced. Additionally, much of this food is wasted not because it is spoiled, but because it couldn't be sold and cannot be stored again due to health concerns, loss of quality, or storage costs.

Solution:

To solve this, we want to focus on the food waste produced by restaurants, bakeries and other food establishments. To explain this business model, the term 'extreme hours' is defined, which refers to times of the day when an establishment, based on known demand patterns, knows that a food item will no longer sell or that the ingredients to produce it are nearing expiration. During these extreme hours, food establishments such as restaurants, supermarkets, and bakeries will post their food items. The items would be posted as Surprise Boxes. To explain this concept, imagine there is an Italian restaurant. In these surprise boxes they would include surplus from different elements from their menu, for example 1 slice of pepperoni pizza, 1 piece of focaccia and 1 bowl of salad. It is a surprise because the user would only be able to select the establishment but not the content, as in that way it would be easier for the restaurant to publish in the app and set up the orders. The customer would be guaranteed a certain amount of food, but he/she won't be able to select items from the menu. These boxes would have a discount of 50% on the regular price that all the items would have.

Also, there would not be a delivery service to avoid an increase in costs. Therefore, the customer would have to pick up the order. In general, the app's functionalities would include a variety of features designed to enhance user experience and streamline the purchasing process. Users would be able to search for surprise boxes offered by different establishments, which may contain unsold food items at a discounted price. Once they find a box that interests them, they can add it to their cart for later purchase. The app would also allow users to place an order directly through the platform, offering a seamless checkout process. This would include secure payment options to ensure that transactions are both safe and efficient. Additionally, users would have the ability to select their preferred pickup location, making it convenient for them to retrieve their orders. Overall, the app aims to provide a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of discovering, purchasing, and collecting surplus food items.

Adressing challenges:

How would the app integrate with businesses: -API Integration: The app could offer an API or a web interface that allows restaurants to easily connect their inventory systems. This integration would help them automatically post surplus items during "extreme hours" without manual input. -Real-Time Updates: Restaurants could have access to a real-time dashboard where they can monitor which items are nearing expiration or have low sales. This dashboard would allow them to quickly generate "Surprise Boxes" based on current inventory. -Seamless Posting: Restaurants can post the "Surprise Boxes" directly from their existing inventory management system. The app could automatically calculate the appropriate discounts and display the boxes to users.

How would restaurants manage surprise boxes: -Simplified Process: Since the contents of the "Surprise Boxes" are not chosen by the user, the app would simplify the process for restaurants. They can bundle surplus items without worrying about specific customer preferences. -Box Preparation: Once a "Surprise Box" is ordered, the restaurant would receive a notification to prepare the box for pickup. The app could provide a simple checklist or interface where they confirm the preparation. -Inventory Management: The app could automatically adjust the restaurant’s inventory based on the items included in the "Surprise Boxes," ensuring accurate tracking and avoiding wastage.

Is another app needed for restaurants: Dedicated Restaurant App: A separate app for restaurants could be developed to manage their participation more efficiently. This app could include features like inventory tracking, box creation, order management, and analytics on sales and wastage reduction.

Logistics of the process: Inventory:

-Real-Time Inventory Monitoring: Restaurants use their existing inventory management systems, integrated with the app, to monitor food stock levels. The app uses predictive algorithms to identify "extreme hours" when certain items are unlikely to sell. -Surplus Identification: The system automatically flags items nearing expiration or unlikely to be sold, prompting the restaurant to create "Surprise Boxes." Surprise box creation: -Automated Suggestions: The app could suggest combinations of surplus items to create "Surprise Boxes," ensuring a balanced offering that matches the value expected by the customer. -Manual Box Customization: Restaurants have the option to manually adjust the contents of the boxes if needed, ensuring flexibility in what goes into the boxes.

Posting surprise boxes: -Box Posting via App/Portal: Once the boxes are prepared, the restaurant posts them on the app, specifying the pickup time window. The app automatically applies the discount and sets the availability based on the restaurant's input. -User Notification: Users who have favorited the restaurant or selected similar preferences are notified when new boxes are available. Order processing and confirmation: -Customer Order Placement: Users browse available "Surprise Boxes" and place orders through the app. The app handles payment, confirming the order with both the user and the restaurant. -Order Confirmation: The restaurant receives an order confirmation via their app/portal, which includes details of the box contents and pickup time.

Preparation for pick up: -Box Preparation: The restaurant prepares the ordered "Surprise Boxes" and packs them in time for the designated pickup window. -Order Tracking: The app could provide real-time tracking for the restaurant staff, showing which orders have been packed and which are pending, ensuring nothing is missed.

Pick up coordination: -Pickup Time Slot Management: The app allows users to select a preferred pickup time within the restaurant’s specified window. This helps stagger pickups and avoid congestion. -User Instructions: The app sends the user detailed instructions on where and how to pick up their order, minimizing confusion. -Restaurant Notification: The restaurant is notified when the user is approaching or has arrived for pickup, potentially integrating with GPS or geofencing technology.

2. Analytics persona

3. PAS

4. Context canvas

5. Business questions

Type 1:

Q1: On average, are the items in the shopping cart loading in less than 15 seconds?

This question is type 1 because it checks the performance of a feature in the app, to inform the developers of any issue with it.

Type 2:

Q1: On average, how far is a user from the nearest restaurant offering the surprise boxes?

This question is type 2 because it involves the context of the user and their interactions with the app and the answer is presented to the final user on a map.

Q2: What percentage of users have ordered from a single restaurant more than twice in the past month?

This is a type 2 question because it directly relates to the user’s purchasing behavior and interaction with the app. The information collected from this question can be used to enhance the users daily experience by offering personalized recommendations such as adding frequently visited restaurants to the top of the app. It can also be used to notify users when a favorite restaurant has new food offers or promotions, which directly impacts their interaction with the app, making it more personal and enjoyable.

Q3: In the last month, what percentage of users are located within a 2-kilometer radius of highly rated surprise boxes?

This is a type 2 question because it focuses on improving the user’s experience by providing timely and relevant notifications based on their current location. This information informs the app whether it’s doing a great job bringing together users and restaurants that are close to each other. The answer can also be used to decide the optimal radius for which a user gets notified in case a restaurant in his area has available surprise boxes.

Q4: Over the past month, how many seconds does it take a user to search for, select, and aggregate products to create a new delivery?

This question is a Type 2 business question because it seeks to analyze and improve an internal process by measuring the time it takes for users to perform specific tasks—searching for, selecting, and aggregating products for delivery. It focuses on understanding operational efficiency rather than external outcomes or KPIs. By identifying how long these actions take, the question aims to uncover potential inefficiencies and areas for improvement within the internal workflow, ultimately contributing to more streamlined operations and enhanced productivity

Type 3:

Q1: On average, how many clicks does a user take to be able to place and order (in a hypothetical case, the view where the QR code is displayed)?

This is a Type 3 because it involves analyzing a specific feature of the app, the order placement process, to determine its efficiency and impact on user experience. By examining the number of clicks, the business can identify whether the current design is optimal or if it needs improvement to reduce friction in the user journey.

Q2: In the last month, what percentage of users used the filter feature to search for a 'Surprise Box'?

This question is a Type 3 as it focuses on the usage of a specific app feature, the filter option for searching 'Surprise Box.' By analyzing the usage data, the business can make informed decisions about the feature's relevance and effectiveness. High usage might indicate that the feature is valuable to users, suggesting that it should be maintained or enhanced. Low usage might lead to decisions to improve, promote, or remove the feature.

Q3: In the last month, what percentage of users payed for an order through the Apple pay option?

This is a Type 3 business question because it analyzes the usage data of a specific payment feature Apple Pay. Understanding the percentage of users opting for this payment method directly informs decisions on feature management, such as whether to maintain, update, or phase out the payment option based on its usage and impact on the app’s success.

Type4:

Q1: In which zone does the tourist segment order the larger amount of food?

This is a type 4 question as this information can be useful for restaurants (3rd party) to understand their customer segments and target their needs and wants.

Type 5:

Q1: In the last month, what was the average order value per user, and how many mystery boxes do they order?

This is a type 5 question because it mixes type 4 (as that information can be sold to the same restaurants for them to understand their performance in the app) and type 2 (as depending on this certain promotions can be offered to the user).

6. VD Map

VD Map