MyPoolPal
MyPoolPal is a mobile app that provides real-time information on pool occupancy and lane availability.
Product Experience
Problem Space
Problem Statement
How might we provide real-time information about pool occupancy and lane availability for regular swimmers so that they can optimize their pool visits, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable swimming experience?
Problem Background
Customer: Swimmers of all levels.
Problem: Swimmers often encounter crowded pools and limited lane availability, leading to suboptimal swimming experiences.
Why Now: The problem is persistent, affecting the satisfaction of swimmers. The need for real-time information to address this issue is underscored by evolving user expectations and technological advancements.
What We Know: Extensive market research, user feedback, and interviews have highlighted the recurring nature of this issue, emphasizing the demand for a solution.
Research Insights
User Pain Points
Using an online survey and user interviews at the pool, Participants described specific challenges faced when the pool is crowded or lane availability is limited such as:
- “Not being able to swim freely and peacefully.”
- “More stressful swim”
- “Forced to swim with swimmers who swim at a different pace”
- “I tend to have to wait a while before a lane is available”
Supporting Data
- 64% of participants frequently encounter issues related to overcrowded pools and limited lane availability.
- 100% of participants are open to adopting new technologies or tools to improve their overall experience at the pool
100% of user interview participants found the value in real-time pool occupancy data to be moderately valuable and higher to them
Feedback
The feedback highlighted the demand for a solution like MyPoolPal that provides real-time pool occupancy information to enhance the swimming experience for a diverse group.
- High Value of Real-Time Pool Occupancy Information: Participants expressed a high level of interest in real-time pool occupancy information. They see it as a valuable tool to plan their visits and avoid crowded times, which significantly enhances their swimming experience.
- Challenges of Crowded Pools: Participants mentioned specific challenges when the pool is crowded, such as reduced space for swimming freely and maintaining a consistent workout. This issue can lead to frustration and impact their overall experience.
- Varied Swimming Frequency: Participants swimming frequency varies widely, with some swimming multiple times a week and others only swimming once or twice a month. The need for real-time pool occupancy information remains relevant for both groups.
- Openness to Technology Adoption: Participants are open to adopting new technologies or tools to improve their swimming experience. They have experienced the positive impact of technology in other aspects of their lives and believe similar benefits could be applied to their swimming routines.
Landing on the Solution
Based on our target users’ pain points, I knew I wanted to work on the following features:
Real-Time Pool Occupancy Information
Addressing the pain point of overcrowded pools and limited lane availability by providing users with up-to-the-minute data on the current occupancy of the pool.
Advanced Lane Reservations
Recognizing the needs of competitive swimmers, we aimed to enable them to reserve lanes in advance, ensuring they have dedicated training space when needed.
Personalized Notifications
Understanding the stress associated with crowded pools, this feature would inform users about less crowded times, facilitating a more relaxed and enjoyable pool experience.
Future Steps
Possibilities that need addressing
- How can we ensure the app's accuracy and reliability in providing this data?
- What is the optimal pricing model for the app, considering user segments and locations?
Learnings
Product Manager Learnings:
Jude Legendre
I learnt a lot through Co.Lab!
- Conducting user surveys and interviews has been an eye opener. I've discovered the power of truly understanding your customer needs and pain points.
- Writing a Product Spec has been rewarding. It's like putting together the puzzle pieces of my product's future.
- MVP's and effective prioritization - It's not just about creating something basic; it's about strategically crafting a version that captures the essence of the product, garners feedback, and allows for meaningful iterations. Understanding how to adapt and refine based on user feedback and market demands is a skill set every hashtag#productmanager should master.
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.