Turning a vision into a powerful decision-making tool
The EdTech Evidence Exchange approached Onetree with an ambitious idea: to design and develop a survey tool capable of collecting critical data on educational technology usage. The challenge was to create a user-friendly, efficient tool that could deliver valuable insights to decision-makers before they committed to any investments.
Onetree took on the responsibility of transforming this vision into a tangible product, handling both the design and technical development. The journey began with an in-depth exploration of the project’s goals, followed by a collaborative, iterative design process aimed at delivering a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that would showcase the tool’s potential.
Laying the foundation through deep understanding and collaboration
1. Discovery and Stakeholder Engagement
We started by conducting comprehensive interviews with key stakeholders, including the product owner, to fully grasp the project’s requirements. As we delved deeper, it became clear that involving other teams within the organization was essential to address the tool’s complex data logic and sensitive information handling. By expanding our engagement, we ensured that all critical perspectives were incorporated into the design.
2. Design Sprint and Co-creation Workshops
To align the team and refine the tool’s functionality, Onetree facilitated a series of design sprints and co-creation workshops. These sessions were crucial in driving the project forward under tight deadlines. A standout moment was our card sorting activity, a collaborative exercise that validated the site’s information architecture. Despite the time constraints, this meticulously executed activity was instrumental in shaping a user-centric design.
3. Prototyping and Iteration
The design process began with low-fidelity prototypes, which were rapidly iterated based on weekly feedback sessions with both the client and potential users. By involving users early on, we ensured that the design was not only aligned with the client’s vision but also met the needs and expectations of the end-users. This collaborative approach minimized the risk of errors and allowed the design to evolve organically, incorporating real-world feedback at each stage. As the prototypes matured into high-fidelity designs, the early involvement of the development team was crucial. Their deep understanding of both the project’s requirements and user feedback ensured a smooth transition to the final build phase, resulting in a product that was both technically sound and user-centric.
4. Final Design and Usability Testing
The project culminated in the creation of high-fidelity designs, which underwent a final round of usability testing to confirm that the tool met user needs. The close collaboration between design and development teams ensured that the build phase was executed efficiently, resulting in a polished and effective product.
Delivering a powerful MVP under tight deadlines
The successful delivery of the MVP demonstrated the tool’s potential and provided EdTech Evidence Exchange with a robust platform for evaluating educational technology. The project’s success highlighted Onetree’s ability to deliver high-quality, user-focused digital products efficiently, even under tight deadlines.