UtilityLink
Connect Utilities Easy! Instantly link to utility providers hassle-free, all in one mobile app.
Problem Statement
How might we streamline the process of finding a utility service provider (i.e. water, electricity, internet, etc.) by making the transfer process simplified and easy for people who are moving so that it takes less time to search and activate utilities during a move?
Problem Background
While there might be variation in migration and relocation patterns among individuals, human migration is a pillar of human history dating back to prehistoric times. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the average person in America moves residences more than 11 times in their lifetime. As of 2022, 8.7% of the U.S. population (~29 million people) moved. The decision to move can be daunting but the logistics of relocation can add to the stress of moving by being burdensome. The current process to find the right utility service providers can be challenging due to the number of steps to find the right utility service provider. Generally, there are multiple steps to search and activate service including:
- Determining who are your providers in the new location at least 2-3 weeks prior to your move
- Individually contacting providers
- Comparing prices and service options
- Deciding to cancel, transfer, or setting up a new service
- Confirming utilities were disconnected in old location and turned on in new location
Research Insights
A key takeaway per our user discovery research: Participants are price sensitive and prefer price transparency for services. Additional challenges included time consuming phone calls, price and service comparison that is overwhelming and difficult for consumers to make decisions during a move. Key insights include:
- When reporting search tools over 71% reported calling the service provider in their new location or conducting online research, respectively.
- Participants overwhelmingly (71%) would like a tool or a product feature to demonstrate price comparisons. Similar findings were reported via qualitative data.
- Of those who found the information gathering process stressful (n=4; 52%),
- The key stressor was not being able to easily compare prices that were within budget or affordable.
- A second key stressor was difficulty getting in contact with providers or spending a lot of time communicating. One participant voiced over long wait times getting information: “..customer service which was not easily reachable due to long wait times. “
- Feedback from user discovery research indicated most movers( 72%) took between 0-3 days to select their preferred provider.
The user research synthesis provides more in-depth insights from our survey.
Landing on the Solution
Based on our target users’ pain points and survey feedback, we knew we wanted to work on the following features and solutions for the problem space:
- As a new user of UtilityLink, I want to create a profile with my current and future location, so that I take advantage of the suggested options feature based on my current preferences.
- As a user who has competing priorities during a move, I want to be able to easily search for utility service providers in my new location, so that I can make a quick decision on how to activate utilities.
- As a user who is overwhelmed with choices, I want to simplify the information with filters that cater to my budget, so that I can make sound financial decisions.
User Flows/Mockups
Future Steps
Possible additional problems to address include:
- Improving the product so that end users do not have to contact the selected utility providers. A future version of the app could include options to allow UtilityLink to have a concierge-like service that completes the administrative and billing setup while keeping the user updated.
- How to monetize the service without placing additional fees on the end user.
Learnings
Product Manager Learnings:
Maya McDoom-Echebiri
- Co.Lab was an incredibly enriching experience for me as it fostered my creativity and critical thinking abilities within the realm of Product Management. Rather than solely imparting theoretical knowledge, the SPRINT 21 bootcamp provided hands-on experiences that I can implement.
- I also loved that we began our work with defining the problem space rather than just jumping into a solution. By starting with the "why" instead of the "what," I gained a valuable perspective that guided me throughout SPRINT 21. Constantly questioning the "why" and keeping the users and target audience in mind became my compass during each week of the SPRINT.
- Finally, prioritization is key! Sometimes simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Focusing on doing one thing exceptionally well can be more impactful than trying to tackle everything at once. Remember as the saying goes, "don't try to boil the ocean."
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.