Amplify
A web platform for small event planners that allows for ease of collaboration and teamwork which will lead to successful events because of collective efforts from varieties of talents and resources.
Product Experience
Problem Space
Problem Statement
Event planners need a means to collaborate with other event teams and vendors because it grants them access to expertise, additional resources, and the ability to leverage established relationships with vendors and venues.
Problem Background
In today's dynamic event planning industry, event planners face a growing demand for seamless collaboration with various event teams and vendors. This collaborative approach has become essential because it not only offers event planners access to invaluable expertise but also opens opportunities to tap into additional resources.
Moreover, by forging strong connections and leveraging established relationships with vendors and venues, event planners can ensure the success of their events and enhance the overall experience for their clients. This evolution toward greater collaboration within the event planning sphere is driven by the recognition that it is no longer a solitary endeavour; instead, it is a collective effort that brings together a myriad of talents and resources to create unforgettable experiences.
Research Insights
User Pain Points
During interviews conducted with small business event planners, the following pain points were identified:
- The process of considering various vendors for an event can be time consuming and potentially overwhelming for clients. The researching and decision-making process may present challenges in terms of evaluating and choosing the most suitable vendors for the event
- Collaborating with various stakeholders, including clients, vendors, and event teams, suggests a complex coordination process
- Identified challenges in collaboration, such as budget constraints, divergent creative visions, and logistical issues, highlight potential areas of stress and conflict for clients during the planning process
- Collaboration is acknowledged as crucial for success, the need to collaborate with multiple vendors and teams may imply a lack of comprehensive in-house resources and expertise. Small businesses might face challenges in managing and coordinating these external resources effectively
- Establishing and maintaining long-term relationships with vendors and venues is crucial for efficiency. However, for clients new to the industry, this process may pose challenges, as it requires time and effort to build trust and favorable terms with vendors
- The need for clear communication, shared understanding, and effective conflict resolution strategies suggests that collaboration challenges are common. Clients might anticipate or experience difficulties in navigating these challenges
Future Steps
I intend to take my experience and lessons with this project to develop the product with a team of designers and engineers in the future when I have the resources to fully execute the platform.
Learnings
Product Manager Learnings:
Temi Asa
As a product manager, I learnt the importance of focusing more on the problem space than the solution
I also learnt that as a product manager, I’m the customer representative by using my understanding of customer pain points in the development of a product within the dev team
I learnt that solutioning of a problem space should be discussed as a team to gain an holistic view of if the product will solve the issue its supposed to
Designer Learnings:
Designer Learnings:
Jo Sturdivant
- Adapting to an Established Team: Joining the team in week 6 of 8 was challenging, as I had to quickly adapt to existing workflows, dynamics, and goals. This mirrors real-world situations where you often integrate into teams mid-project, and flexibility is essential.
- Work-Blocking for Efficiency: With only two weeks to complete the project, I learned the importance of a structured work-blocking system. This approach allowed me to manage my time effectively and meet deadlines under pressure.
- Making Data-Driven Design Decisions: Unlike my past projects, I had to rely on research conducted by others. This was a valuable experience in using pre-existing data to guide design decisions, helping me focus on the core insights without starting from scratch.
Developer Learnings:
Developer Learnings:
Vanady Beard
&
As the back-end developer, I learned how important it is to create efficient and reliable systems that support the entire application. This experience also taught me the importance of optimising the database and ensuring the backend is scalable and easy to maintain.
Developer Learnings:
Stephen Asiedu
&
As a back-end developer, I've come to understand the importance of being familiar with various database systems and modules. This knowledge enables me to build diverse applications and maintain versatility in my work. I've also learned that the responsibility for making the right choices rests on my shoulders, guided by my best judgement.
Developer Learnings:
&
Developer Learnings:
Maurquise Williams
&
- Process of Creating an MVP: Developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) taught me how to focus on delivering core functionalities balancing between essential features and avoiding scope creep.
- Collaboration in a Real-World Tech Setting: This experience taught me how to collaborate efficiently in a fast-paced tech environment, keeping the team aligned and productive, even while working remotely across time zones.
- Sharpening Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: This experience honed my ability to think critically and solve problems efficiently. By tackling challenges and finding quick solutions, I sharpened my decision-making and troubleshooting skills in a dynamic, real-world setting.
Developer Learnings:
Jeremiah Williams
&
All in all this experience was very awesome I learned that in coding with others being transparent is key
Developers Learnings:
Justin Farley
&
I learned how important communication is when working with a team. Communication provides understanding, advice, ideas, and much more. While working with the product team, I’ve found that communication keeps everything flowing smoothly. Working with a team also showed me that every member brings something different to the table and we all have to work together in order to align and meet our end goal.