Gathering Requirements - Task Analysis
Introduction
The second phase of this project is establishing requirements for task analysis and user analysis. Task Analysis is all about figuring out how users use the Olio application and finding out ways how to make a better user experience based on the tasks they do. The application encourages people to live more sustainably by sharing food or items with nearby communities. It has a lot of potential but it also has a lot of usability issues that make the user suffer when using the application. During this phase, we use Hierarchical Task Analysis(HTA) to get three tasks that the user needs to do. The HTA are browsing and asking for an item, adding a new item, and changing the description of the existing item. Every HTA could find problems, unnecessary interface and design flaws. We use user personas and real world scenarios to perform our tasks that function as guidance for future proposed systems or applications. We want to build a robust system and design by including user centered criteria that will enhance user experience.
Derivation of HTA
HTA for task 1 (Browse and claim an item)
Architect
Open the Olio app
Go to “Explore” section
Browse available items
Select item chosen
Request to borrow
Wait for provider’s response
Parent
Community and volunteer aid programs
Open the Olio app
Browse available items
Select an item
Tap “Request this”
Specify pickup location
Tap “Send request”
Wait for sender’s further response
HTA for task 2 (Add a new item to giveaway or sell or lend)
Architect
Open the Olio app
Tap the “Add”(+) button
Choose “lend” button
Add item details
Get verification code
Tap “Submit” button
Parent
Community and volunteer aid programs
Go to Olio homepage
Press “Add” (+) button
Choose type (sell, lend, giveaway)
Add item details
Tap “Submit” button
HTA for task 3 (Like and comment on a post in Olio's community)
Architect
Parent
Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K-JZtE6iDPnE7iuNGzNiI4EixU-GHY0z/view?usp=drivesdk
Textual representation
0. Browse and claim an item in Olio
Graphical representation
Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B5L3E2VdCK-lPXYT0LhqKdNUr0eYcx4c/view?usp=drive_link
Textual representation
0. Browse and request an item
1. Open the Olio app
2. Go to the “Home” or “Explore” section
3. Browse available items
3.1 Scroll through list
3.2 Apply filters or search (optional)
4. Select an item to view details
5. Decide to claim item
5.1 Read item description and location
5.2 Tap “Request this” button
6. Compose and send request message to the provider
7. Wait for provider's response
Graphical representation
Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RaQMRWuNTNOx9__kQ9HBS_zs6sp1ODDE/view?usp=drive_link
Textual representation
0. Browse and request an item in Olio
2.1 Apply filters or search (optional)
Graphical representation
Findings from the HTA for task 1
In Task 1, the users which are architect, parent and Community and volunteer aid programs, all three began the process by opening the OLIO app, Then they moved on to browse the item by clicking the explore button. This was where the users searched for their desired items. After choosing the items, the users click the request item of the chosen item. After doing this, the users need to set the meeting point to collect the item. After that, the user sends the request to borrow the item. Lastly, all three users wait to get a response form the owner of the chosen item. Overall the need to emphasize the features that support both quick interactions and more informed decision- making is needed.
Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ifm8iPZUcTPUBQLbqEsMd-0rR1iu3H6j/view?usp=drivesdk
Textual representation
0. Add a new item to share in Olio
4.1 Add title
4.2 Add description
4.3 Add quantity
4.4 Add pick up times
4.5 Add pickup instructions
4.6 Confirm pick location
4.7 Add photo
5.1 Enter verification code
Graphical representation
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a9owc0NK6SQjWaxHuqMbJQELMSH79xy8/view?usp=drive_link
Textual representation
0. Add a new item to giveaway or sell or lend
1. Open the Olio app
2. Tap the “Add” (+) button
3. Choose the type of sharing
4. Add item details
4.1 Upload photo(s)
4.2 Enter item title
4.3 Write a description
4.4 Set price
4.5 Set quantity
4.6 Set pick up times
4.7 Set pick up instructions (optional)
5. Set location (if not auto-filled)
6. Review item details
7. Tap “Submit” to publish listing
Graphical representation
Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RawZEP9iXCCaBcgsKexx-0pnXYFdsIsf/view?usp=drive_link
Textual representation
Add a new item
0. Add item to giveaway or sell or lend
3.1. Choose category
4.1. Enter item title
4.2. Enter item description
4.3. Enter item quantity
4.4. Enter pickup time
4.5. Enter pickup instructions (optional)
4.6. Set pickup location
4.7. Set item photo
Graphical representation
Findings from the HTA for task 2
In Task 2, architect, parent and community and volunteer aid programs users first opened the Olio app and hit the “Add” (+) button to put up a new item. After selecting the sharing method (lend, sell or giveaway) users were prompted to add information about the item.
All users were asked to include a title and description, decide the amount to sell and provide details about when and how buyers could pick them up. The couriers also added a photo of the item and set where the pickup should happen.
Before finalizing the submission, the architect was asked to get a verification code and input it. Before publishing, the parent reviewed the item details, but the community and volunteer aid program users picked the category after choosing the item type.
All users pressed “Submit” to publish the listing after finishing.
In conclusion, several improvements to the app can be made including simplifying the item listing process across all user types. Real time validation should also be implemented that can notify users of missing or incorrect information first before publishing or updating data.
Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OHJebos_1vNmCx6_x-jnIWtOmfZqGI_D/view?usp=drivesdk
Textual representation
0. Like and comment on a community post
1. Open the OLIO app
2. Tap button “community” button
3. Tap a “post”
4. Tap Like button
5. Tap “Leave you comment here” section
5.1 Type comment
5.2 Write comment
5.3 Tap “Post ”button
Graphical representation
Link:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d8vV_i2208EKT10w0S7Ndg0CeAom6IBg/view?usp=drive_link
Textual representation
0. Like and comment on a post in Olio's community
1. Open the Olio app
2. Go to the “Community” section
3. View recent posts
4. Like a post
5. Comment on a post
Graphical representation
Open the OLIO app
Go to ‘Community’ tab
Select a community post
Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VAnyVRVcb9l4EsXSuB0a3TZ8KqpL27DV/view?usp=drive_link
Textual representation
0. Like and comment on a community post
3.1 Like post
3.2 Comment on the post
Graphical representation
Findings from the HTA for task 3
From the observation, it can be seen that all users had no problem in finding the "Community" section as the icon and label were shown clearly. For the "Like and comment" task, users were able to complete the task smoothly as the icon and label for like and comment were visually clear. For users that were unfamiliar with technology such as User 2 (a parent), it took slightly more time to type and find the appropriate button even when the interface was well-designed. Despite this, users were still able to complete the task successfully, meeting the usability goal of learnability, as only a small amount of time was needed to understand and perform the task.
Design Requirement
From our Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTAs) and Think-Aloud observations, we identified several usability issues and design across the three tasks in the Olio app.
For the first task, "Browse and Request an Item", users seem confused after tapping on "Send Request" button because of unclear outcome. We suggest to add indicator or request status label so the users know the flow of the process requesting the item. We will keep the visual layout, item feed layout, and messaging feature for the item request.
The second task, "Add New Item to Giveaway, Sell, or Lend", we would like to add tagging system where user are required to label the item they post so it will help the other user knows who this items tribute to and makes it easier user to find relevant items based on the tags. Other than that, we also will add preview system where it will help the user to preview their post first before actual posting it to public to make sure it is actually accurate, well-formatted, and aligned with their intent. The Add(+) button and the sharing options will be kept as they are to maintain familiarity and ease of use for returning users, ensuring a consistent user experience.
The third task, "Engage with other users in Olio's Community Post". We wanted to redesign the "My Listing" button to place it on the main interface aligned with the other icons button. This is because from our observation, the users have different ways to achieve the task where some need extra path, and some takes a short path to execute it. Thus, with the redesign "My Listing" button would improve the accessibility, ensure users can easily navigate to their listings without extra steps and more visible to user. We also would add the preview system as the same in Task 2 to help user meets their expectation of their posting. The current layout for editing photo, description, location, and date & time will be kept as it is, since it is straightforward and easy for users to understand and use without confusion.
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