TravelTrackr
Revolutionizing travel with real-time luggage tracking. Stress-free journeys start here!
Product Experience
Problem Space
Problem Statement
How might we streamline luggage tracking and the recovery processes for flight passengers who have lost their checked luggages, to ensure a timely and transparent resolution, enhancing their overall travel experience and mitigating the financial and emotional impact of the issue to both the passenger and the airline?
Problem Background
The situation of lost or delayed checked luggage remains a challenge that significantly affects both passengers and airlines in modern day air travel. In spite of advancements in technology and operational procedures, the recurrent misplacement of baggage at various airports continues to be a source of frustration, financial strain, and reputational damage within the industry. Operational inefficiencies, communication gaps, and a lack of sufficient tracking mechanisms contribute to the frequency of this problem. Understanding the distinct nature of the challenges faced by passengers who experience luggage loss is crucial for developing sufficient solutions that not only mitigate the impact on travelers but also enhance the overall reliability and trustworthiness of airline services. The pursuit for an optimal resolution involves addressing the root causes, improving communication channels, and implementing advanced tracking technologies to create a seamless and customer-centric baggage handling experience in the realm of air travel.
Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, incidents of lost luggage have become increasingly frustrating for airline passengers, causing not only financial strain but also emotional distress during an already stressful travel experience. An example that outlines the severity of this problem is an article by CBC Post that reviews the effects on both travelers and the airline companies.
Research Insights
User Pain Points
Using google survey and LinkedIn, we identified a few different categories of prospective users and did about 3 user interviews. Passengers/customers consistently expressed frustration with the lack of real-time tracking for their checked luggage, leading to anxiety and inconvenience during travel.
Supporting Data
75% of survey population mentioned they were unhappy with the current solution, emphasizing the need for an innovative and reliable luggage tracking system.
Feedback
Our preliminary user research to validate this problem with a few frequent travelers with major Canadian Airlines had experienced lost luggage and expressed a strong desire for a more effective tracking solution.
Landing on the Solution (Optional but recommended)
Based on our target users’ pain points, we knew we wanted to work on the following features: real-time tracking, a user-friendly interface, and a seamless integration with airline baggage systems.
Explanation of Solution
After we showcased our prototype to the users again, we learned that the real-time tracking and push notifications were a game-changer, providing a sense of control and reducing the stress associated with potential luggage mishandling.
Future Steps
From speaking with customers and passengers, refining the user interface for even greater simplicity, exploring partnerships with major airlines for seamless integration, and investigating additional features such as luggage history tracking.
Learnings
Product Manager Learnings:
Joseph Uyo
Co.Lab was a very interesting experience for me, teaching me to connect more with my creative side and the importance of user-centric design, rapid iteration, and the incredible impact of solving a real pain point in the market. The collaboration within the cross-functional team was invaluable, and I'm excited to carry these learnings forward in my product management journey.
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.