A versatile solution, aiding users in crafting effective PowerPoint presentations.
Background
OfficePLUS offers a comprehensive multi-end solution, allowing users to edit slides within MS PowerPoint software using the add-in, access templates from the website, and utilize the WeChat account for communication and login. This enhances efficiency in slide creation.
In June 2023, notable functions and tools were introduced within the add-ins, including a PDF transformer and an AI-powered tool named 'Clippy'. This expansion elevates OfficePLUS's role beyond a mere template repository, necessitating an updated version of the OfficePLUS website to improve layout, information, and positioning.
Problem Statement
The head project manager initiated the assumption that our website should shift from being a 'template website' to a 'tool-template website'. However, is this assumption aligned with users' actual preferences and needs?
Consequently, the design team created several templates based on this assumption. But the crucial question remains: are these templates proving to be beneficial and effective for users?
Research Objectives
Website Positioning
To understand our website's positioning both externally in comparison to the market and internally in terms of user usage.
Template Usability
To test how different types of users experience using our templates
Project Process and My Role
The process generally consists of three main phases: receiving and aligning needs, conducting research, and delivering insights to the stakeholders.
I was actively engaged throughout the entire process, collaborating closely with my mentor to carry out research and analyze insights.
Cross-functional Team Structure Product - UX Researcher - UX Designer
Sprint Working Environment Approximately 3 week and highly interactive
User Centered User experience is our top concern
User Interview
To comprehend the positioning, it's essential to consider two perspectives: that of competitors and users.
The primary objective of user interviews is to define OfficePLUS's present positioning. This will be achieved by analyzing the user journeys of both new and existing users and understanding users' perceptions of the services and functions we offer.
Furthermore, through user interviews, we seek to uncover potential improvements and opportunities. This involves identifying pain points in the user journeys of both new and existing users.
Sample
Participants were drawn from the OfficePLUS user community chat group, with an equal distribution of old users, new users, and group members (1:1:1 ratio).
This diverse selection included students and employees, ensuring well-rounded representation across different professions.
Interview Script
Our intention was to develop three comprehensive user journey maps to illustrate how users navigate through OfficePLUS:
1. their transitions across various OfficePLUS ends (utilization, experience, and improvement potential) 2. their interactions with the website (usage, experience, and potential enhancements) 3. their process of creating PowerPoint presentations (needs, awareness of our product).
Interview Process
1-on-1, online sessions lasting for 60 minutes, including usability tests.
Because of confidentiality agreements (NDA), the journey map is not the final version and intentionally blurred.
Market and Competitor Analysis
In addition to the user perspective, we aim to assess the website's positioning from a market standpoint. Through desk research, we aim to understand the categories within the PowerPoint product domain, how they're defined, and their unique features.
Another objective is to compare ourselves with competitors, assessing our strengths and areas for improvement. This involves identifying their weaknesses, which could present opportunities for us, and determining areas where we can learn and enhance our offering.
Quadrant Chart
Reources vs. Tools
We conducted research on existing products in the market that offer PowerPoint creation capabilities, analyzing them based on two dimensions: resources and tools.
Usability Test
Our first objective is to assess how various user types interact with our four templates. For each user type, we aim to understand the usability of each template from their perspective. Further, in order to optimize the UX design for all types of users, we aim to identify features that effectively address specific user pain points. This entails determining how these beneficial features can be seamlessly integrated to offer recommendations for a unified and user-friendly final website design.
7 practical design recommendations
We provided seven practical design recommendations, grounded in user feedback, to align with the identified web positioning and to target the pain points experienced by various user types we identified.
Top Navigation Bar
Search Engine
Hot Themes Operation Zone
Membership Intro Module
.......
Success Metrics
We gauge our success from the team's and user's perspectives. For the team, we track the ratio of implemented recommendations to the total suggestions. For users, we measure the Net Promoter Score (NPS) before and after the update to assess changes in satisfaction.
Ratio of Implemented to Indicated Suggestions
NPS before and after the website update
Challenges & Learnings
In a fast-paced sprint environment, I learned to manage time efficiently and collaborate effectively, enhancing my decision-making skills and teamwork. Balancing diverse research methods, such as interviews and analysis, taught me to tailor approaches strategically, extracting meaningful insights while staying adaptable.
Fast-paced Sprint Environment
The IoT-based Home Security Camera includes components like the physical camera and mobile app, with interactions between them. Challenges arise from various sources, requiring us to identify and prioritize cost-effective solutions to address significant issues.
Flexible Research Methods
This challenge underscored the importance of tailoring research methodologies to project objectives, enabling me to craft focused research plans and pivot when needed to extract comprehensive insights.
While uncovering user behaviors and market dynamics, I learned the art of remaining objective and strategic in my approach.
