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theFileAssistant Platform

This project was centred around around a UI python-based platform where I as a Product Manager had to provide direction on the MVP launch and the platform be seen as a highly customisable local file management tool via catering for the following problems:

  • Local File disorganisation - Many professionals face inefficiencies when organising files locally, leading to wasted time searching for documents and managing folders manually

  • Lack of 'Role-Specific' Organisation - Existing file management solutions are one-size-fits-all and fail to cater to specific workflows for different professional roles.

  • Inefficient File Retrieval -  Users need faster to retrieve files based on specific contexts (e.g., project stage, file type, date).​

Balsamiq Wireframing

My initial task when I have landed on the project was to revamp the overall UI design for the platform in order to increase the potential attraction rate for consumers to purchase it. Based on several discussions with the product director and the development team, we concluded with utilizing the Balsamiq tool based on the following reasons: 

  • ​Focus on Functionality

  • Clear creation

  • Large UI element library

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The two images below represent the original design and the MVP redesign that was refined with the development team. 

Click here to see all the scenarios created for the MVP UI redesign

Initial Design

Original design.PNG

MVP UI Redesign

UI Redesign.PNG

User Research

Once we got an initial build of the platform based on the MVP redesign, I decided to pursue conducting exploratory user interviews to discover if customers have painpoints around retrieving files within their local desktop & which solutions they are open with. I reached out to following groups of people based on the targeted personas of the platform on various social media platforms (i.e: LinkedIn):

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  • Data Analysts: Manage large sets of data and reports that need to be organised by projects, datasets, and timelines.

  • Software Developers: Need to organise project files, version histories, and documentation in an easily accessible way.

  • Project Managers: Require file management tools that allow them to track project timelines and deliverables across different clients and tasks.​

My Approach

When I have gathered my group of participants to interview, I then prepared a list of 3 vital aspects that I wanted to learn from the potential users from any given type of job occupation via video meetings. These were the following:

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  1. IT-related challenges in their given role

  2. Current approach to retrieving files

  3. Current solution to approach they take if there's difficulties with getting the files they need

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Reason I stuck with the following aspects is to ensure that:

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  • I give the user autonomy to talk about their life instead of the product idea in order to eliminate any possible biases

  • Ask about specifics in the past instead of the opinions about the future

Outcome of the interviews

With the answers accumulated from multiple interviews I have conducted, I presented back to the client the following: 

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  1. My approach to the potential customer interviews

  2. Questions I asked

  3. Roles I have interviewed

  4. Summary of answers provided by the users

  5. Interview challenges I have faced 

  6. Secondary data to back-up on answers provided

  7. Open discussion on solutions to take with theFileAssistant, the following options I have suggested to the client based on my experience from the user interviews and the secondary data I have â€‹

Click here

to view slides that was presented to the client

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