Enhancing WhatsApp for the Task-Oriented User
CRAFTED THREE COOL NEW FEATURES FOR WHATSAPP, AND GUESS WHAT? THEY'VE JUST ROLLED OUT ONE OF THEM!
Key features include task and calendar integration for streamlined task management and reminder setup, a polling function for easy group decision-making, and an efficient list-making tool to improve data coordination in groups. These additions transform WhatsApp into a more dynamic platform for both the personal organisation and interactive group communication.
_5f83f2fd6c754.jpg)
OVERVIEW
Redefining Task Management on WhatsApp
6 Weeks
Duration In 2020
This project kicked off as part of my IDF course, and honestly, it's become something I'm really proud of. With a bunch of great pointers from my mentors, it's shaped up into a pretty solid case study.
The potential for streamlined task management in a world where billions of WhatsApp messages are sent every day is unexplored. This case study describes a six-week process to exploit WhatsApp's massive user engagement to boost productivity.
Leveraging tools like user interviews, persona creation, journey mapping, and prototyping, the research process was meticulously designed to unearth user needs and pain points. The study maps out the journey from ideation to the final design.
How can WhatsApp be improved to better manage everyday tasks?
Important information in WhatsApp, especially in groups, tend to get buried under all the chat noise.
When using WhatsApp for tasks, especially in group chats, the sheer volume of messages often leads to important information getting lost in the shuffle. This is particularly challenging in groups where multiple conversations occur simultaneously, causing task-related messages to quickly get buried beneath casual chat or other topics. It becomes difficult to track and prioritize tasks in this noisy environment.
Busy at work and forgot to top up mom's mobile data after her WhatsApp text?
A common scenario many face is missing out on important tasks during busy days. For instance, you might read a message from your mom asking to recharge her mobile data while at work, but amidst the day's hustle, it slips your mind completely by the evening. This illustrates how easy it is to forget tasks when they're communicated in the midst of a busy routine and without any feature in the app to highlight or remind you of them later.
PROBLEM
The Challenge of Carrying Out Tasks on WhatsApp
USER RESEARCH
Noted recurring issue of important information getting lost in busy WhatsApp chats.
USER SURVEY
18-30 Years
User Group
Indians
Ethnicity
The survey research was a concise but informative method, conducted through a Google Form and completed by 13 individuals. Due to time constraints, a larger sample size wasn't feasible, yet the responses provided were insightful. This small but targeted group offered valuable perspectives on user pain points, allowing for a focused understanding of the specific challenges faced by WhatsApp users within the defined demographic.
Saloni
"Keeping pace in a fast paced conversation."
Ankita
“Difficulty in finding important text from the chats.”
Harshit
“Difficulty in analysing the data from the group chats.”
Sanket
“Misinterpretation of texts and incomplete information”
USER PERSONAS
Creating user personas and journey maps for WhatsApp revealed specific challenges, like Sanket's task tracking issues and Riya's struggle with fast-paced chats. This process taught me the crucial role of empathetic design in addressing user needs. It highlighted the necessity for in-app solutions for task management and information retrieval, showing how user-focused design can lead to more intuitive and effective UX improvements.
USER JOURNEY MAP
Creating the Customer Journey Map from user interviews and observations was enlightening. It highlighted the emotional rollercoaster users ride during their WhatsApp experience—from worry to relief. This mapping was crucial, guiding me to devise improvements rooted in actual user interactions and sentiments. The process was a learning curve, emphasizing the significance of empathy in UX design, as it allowed me to step into the users' shoes and innovate with purpose.
SOLUTION
Three New Features to Transform Chat
SCAMPER TECHNIQUE
Employing the SCAMPER method, a strategic tool for creative problem-solving, led to the conception of three innovative features for WhatsApp.
FEATURE 1
Task
Exchange tasks within chats
Reminder
Quick calendar set-up in chat
The first feature is designed to streamline how users manage their responsibilities. This feature will allow users to send tasks within the chat in an interactive format, which not only saves time but also consolidates task details in one place for easy access and reference. Moreover, it will include a call-to-action button that enables users to save tasks to their calendar and set reminders, ensuring that nothing gets forgotten in the bustle of daily communications.
FEATURE 2
Poll
Gather group opinions effortlessly
Analytics
Simplified result analysis
The second feature, is all about bringing quick and clear group decision-making into the chat environment. Users can effortlessly create polls in their personal or group chats to get opinions, making it a breeze to reach a group consensus without the confusion of multiple responses. This not only declutters the chat but also ensures that every voice is heard and decisions are made based on the collective input, all within the familiar WhatsApp interface.
FEATURE 3
List
Colaborative list-making in real-time
Data
Ease of data management
The third feature, simplifies collaborative organization within the app. This tool is ideal for group coordination, like a society group admin collecting interest for an event, allowing members to add or remove their names from a shared list. It alleviates the administrative load from one person and supports collective engagement.
LEARNINGS
UX Makeover for Seamless and Enhanced Chatting
This project honed my ability to innovate with empathy, aligning user needs with technological capabilities. I learned the profound impact of user-centric design in creating intuitive features that seamlessly blend into daily routines. The development process, from ideation to testing, underscored the iterative nature of UX design and the power of detailed user feedback.
In sum, this experience has sharpened my design acumen, ensuring that I deliver solutions that are not just useful but also delightful to use, setting a high bar for user experience standards.