Mech Medic
Mech medic is an all inclusive car maintenance app.The objective here is to guide our users through the journeys of car maintenance simplifying it and providing our users tools that can help them with their car repair issues
Product Experience
I am just getting started on my journey into product management, very excited to share my first MVP!
Problem Space
We are extremely reliant on our vehicles and yet there seems to be a large disconnection between people and the care for their vehicles. Concerts about pricing as well as a general lack of knowledge has made the process of vehicle repair very difficult for car owners to navigate.
Problem Statement
The cost of car repairs are very high for most car owners ,time spent on this decision causes loss because not having their car leads to loss of income and ignoring repairs leads to more expensive repairs.
Problem Background
Every car owner needs repairs for their vehicle eventually. Car repairs cost on average $500 to $600, ! in 3 american drivers will have to go into debt to afford this repair. Mech medic aims to help customers prepare for this unexpected but extremely impactful cost by in depth pathways to both prepare for and resolve this unexpected expense
Research Insights
User Pain Points
Through some user interviews I was able to get an understanding of the most pressing concerns;
No Proactive approach to car repair and saving for potential expenses.
Lack of Knowledge about vehicle parts requiring replacement and their respective timelines.
Desire for a savings plan and options for financial assistance for repairs.
Lack of fast Access to short-term loans and payment plans within an app.
No directed Access to DIY home maintenance advice and reminders for vehicle upkeep.
Difficulty with booking appointments for unresolved vehicle issues.
Supporting Data
AAA has also discussed these issues “The total cost of owning and operating a vehicle averages more than $10,000 a year, and many Americans fail to take into account all of the expenses,” said David Bennett, AAA’s manager of Repair Systems. “In addition to car payments, fuel costs and insurance premiums, drivers need to budget for inevitable expenses such as maintenance and repair.”
Feedback
After reviewing the interviews given, It became clear that there were multiple approaches to this issue depending on the vehicle owner. There was either a proactive or reactive approach to the issue of car repair.
Landing on the Solution
“Based on our target users’ pain points, we knew we wanted to work on the following features
Features:
- Savings Tracker:Allows users to set up monthly or biweekly savings plans for future car repairs and maintenance.
- Vehicle Parts Replacement Guide:Provides information on essential vehicle parts and recommended replacement schedules.
- Loan and Payment Plan Interface:Facilitates access to short-term loans or payment plans for vehicle repairs, with a simple application process directly within the app.
- DIY Maintenance and Reminders:Offers DIY maintenance guides and sends reminders based on vehicle usage, weather conditions, and maintenance schedules.
- Driving and Maintenance Tracker:Utilises GPS and vehicle data to track driving habits, providing customised maintenance reminders and advice based on driving patterns and environmental factors.
- Appointment Booking System:Allows users to schedule appointments with authorised service centres for vehicle issues beyond their DIY capabilities.
This comprehensive app aims to empower vehicle owners by helping them save, stay informed about maintenance needs, access financial assistance, and efficiently manage their vehicle's upkeep through DIY efforts and timely professional support
Future Steps
While I currently do not know enough about the market to suggest a way to institute an insurance system for car repairs, it was by far the most common request I came across in my interviews. I believe this would be the eventual end goal of the product.
Images
Learnings
Product Manager Learnings:
Ire Aboyeji
Co.lab was a wonderful experience. It was amazing to be able to step out of my comfort zone to learn a new skill and develop an MVP, I cannot wait to start the Boot camp to continue growing my skill level.
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.