Product Experience
Problem Space
Problem Statement
How can drivers on Nigerian roads renew their driving license without being physically present at the licensing authority so that the process is easier and more effective?
Problem Background
As is often the case in Nigeria, the driving license application process is fraught with numerous challenges. These range from the recurring demand to capture biometric data with every renewal application (compounded by frequent system downtimes) to the unsettling practice of officials soliciting tips before processing applications. Obtaining a driving license in Nigeria can be an arduous journey, sometimes taking as long as a year, even after fulfilling all the stipulated requirements. These challenges underscore the broader systemic issues that afflict many government and agency functions in Nigeria. In a country where many industries thrive through private ownership or government-private partnerships, DriveNG envisions innovative solutions that can liberate millions of Nigerians from the tiresome ordeal of renewing their driving licenses.
Unfortunately, for a lot of Nigerian statistics, there is a lack of reliable publicly accessible data to show the actual number of backlogs that exists because of biometric capture; it is however very easy to decern that there is a large systemic problem with every visit to any licensing authority office (where there are constant mountains of paperwork for applications yet to be attended to). From our independent research, we discovered that 88.9% of respondents had experienced delays in their driving license renewal application.
Research Insights
User Pain Points
Using a simple question, we engaged respondents to understand the exact pain points they experience with the current system. We engaged 9 respondents and identified the following as the major pain points experienced.
- System / Equipment downtime
- Need For Physical Presence
- Long wait for collection
- Biometric Capture
- Extortion from officials
Supporting Data
88.6% of people we spoke to mentioned they were unhappy with the current solution while 100% of respondents confirmed that they will much rather not be required to be physically present to renew their DL
Feedback
Our research let us know the pain points of users and we were able to identify which we are able to address with the solution.
Explanation of Solution
DriveNG is a mobile and web app that aims to provide a solution that eliminates the bottlenecks experienced by drivers who wish to renew their driving license in Nigeria from anywhere in the world. The solution essentially aims to work as a custodian service that allows drivers to pull biometric data from other government identity management institution as well as other relevant information required to renew a DL and transmit this information to the issuing authority. We also aim to provide delivery services to eliminate the requirement for drivers to commute multiple times to the issuing authority office.
Future Steps
We learnt that customers are willing to pay a premium for a service that will completely be hands off and truly offer them the control regardless of location.
We aim to provide delivery services to eliminate the requirement for drivers to commute multiple times to the issuing authority office. This will include both local and international delivery
Learnings
Product Manager Learnings:
Bobby Enejo
My biggest learning point was the need to prioritize the problem and to engage in thorough user engagement because a lot of the time, the solution we imagine for the problem might not solve the problems that actual users experience. I have found that conducting user research removes bias and leads to better solutions.
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
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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
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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:
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Developer Learnings:
Maurquise Williams
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- 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
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All in all this experience was very awesome I learned that in coding with others being transparent is key
Developers Learnings:
Justin Farley
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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.