Financial Control
Financial Control
role
role
Product Designer
Product Designer
year
year
2023
2023
tools
tools
Notion, FigJam, Figma, Maze, Pen and Paper.
Notion, FigJam, Figma, Maze, Pen and Paper.
applied skills
applied skills
Competitor analysis, user’s interview, affinity map, user flow, UI, usability test, and more.
Competitor analysis, user’s interview, affinity map, user flow, UI, usability test, and more.
A project carried out in 4 weeks after finishing the first course. Despite being based on a real case study, I was able to learn a new dynamic by working alone without any contact with stakeholders or colleagues.
A project carried out in 4 weeks after finishing the first course. Despite being based on a real case study, I was able to learn a new dynamic by working alone without any contact with stakeholders or colleagues.
Playing big
Playing big
The primary goal of the brief was to develop a seamless app enabling users to manage and oversee various accounts, including credit cards and loans. Its aim was to prevent missed payment deadlines, ultimately leading to an enhanced personal credit score.
The primary goal of the brief was to develop a seamless app enabling users to manage and oversee various accounts, including credit cards and loans. Its aim was to prevent missed payment deadlines, ultimately leading to an enhanced personal credit score.
attention points
1.
Given the highly competitive market, there's a demand for efficiency and versatility with minimal learning/navigation effort.
Given the highly competitive market, there's a demand for efficiency and versatility with minimal learning/navigation effort.
2.
The initial concept assumes users are inattentive and/or disorganized. The aim is to comprehend the genuine user needs and validate whether the assumption holds true.
The initial concept assumes users are inattentive and/or disorganized. The aim is to comprehend the genuine user needs and validate whether the assumption holds true.
research
research
- All the research carried out can be found in this FigJam file, in case you're interested in a more in-depth look.
- All the research carried out can be found in this FigJam file, in case you're interested in a more in-depth look.
problem
Seamless financial control app that helps to keep track of deadline and, therefore, increase the score.
discover
Brief analysis
Desk research
Competitor
analysis
User’s interview
Insights
define
Affinity map
Persona
User stories
Task analysis
User flow
Storyboard
the real problem
Lack of forgetfulness leading to high mental load and preference for analog tools that generate more management time.
DEVELOP
Wireframe
low fidelity
DELIVER
User interface
Prototype
Usability test
solution
A transparent, versatile and highly modifiable financial control application that helps achieve objectives and reduce mental workload.
problem
Seamless financial control app that helps to keep track of deadline and, therefore, increase the score.
discover
Brief analysis
Desk research
Competitor
analysis
User’s interview
Insights
define
Affinity map
Persona
User stories
Task analysis
User flow
Storyboard
the real problem
Lack of forgetfulness leading to high mental load and preference for analog tools that generate more management time.
DEVELOP
Wireframe
low fidelity
DELIVER
User interface
Prototype
Usability test
solution
A transparent, versatile and highly modifiable financial control application that helps achieve objectives and reduce mental workload.
dive into
the problem
Without access to a stakeholder, I started with desk research. As the questions arose, I needed to understand how to answer them and decided that either they could be directed at the user or it could be a project decision to be made later on.
For the competitor analysis, in addition to financial control apps, I also used banking and rewards apps (an idea that came from the brief that could work as an incentive for users to meet their goals).
Without access to a stakeholder, I started with desk research. As the questions arose, I needed to understand how to answer them and decided that either they could be directed at the user or it could be a project decision to be made later on.
For the competitor analysis, in addition to financial control apps, I also used banking and rewards apps (an idea that came from the brief that could work as an incentive for users to meet their goals).
time for
some answers
time for
some answers
In total, there were 35 interviewees with only qualitative data and a further 11 interviewees providing quantitative data.
After the interviews, I was able to see that the information raised as problems by the brief was not pertinent considering the public surveyed.
The main issues raised were the apps' lack of versatility, the amount of information provided by banking apps being sufficient, the time needed to keep an app up to date and the lack of purpose in tracking information.
In total, there were 35 interviewees with only qualitative data and a further 11 interviewees providing quantitative data.
After the interviews, I was able to see that the information raised as problems by the brief was not pertinent considering the public surveyed.
The main issues raised were the apps' lack of versatility, the amount of information provided by banking apps being sufficient, the time needed to keep an app up to date and the lack of purpose in tracking information.
“I don't any apps, but it's more because I'm always looking at my bank app”
-B
“I don't any apps, but it's more because I'm always looking at my bank app”
-B
“I did not adapt well to the apps because I missed this flexibility, in short”
-M
“I did not adapt well to the apps because I missed this flexibility, in short”
-M
“I don’t use any apps because I feel that I get very stuck in the categories.”
-A
“I don’t use any apps because I feel that I get very stuck in the categories.”
-A
“Apps are often a list of what you spend and that’s it.”
-O
“Apps are often a list of what you spend and that’s it.”
-O
“My problem with them is that ‘what's the point of me having the information there and spending my time filling it in if I'm not going to do anything with it.’"
-L
“My problem with them is that ‘what's the point of me having the information there and spending my time filling it in if I'm not going to do anything with it.’"
-L
interview insights
interview insights
business believes
business believes
1.
offer rewards for paying on time
offer rewards for paying on time
2.
missed deadlines are due to the number of payments to be made and lack of organization
missed deadlines are due to the number of payments to be made and lack of organization
3.
concentrates all information in one place increases organization
concentrates all information in one place increases organization
findings
findings
1.
users don't miss deadlines and reward don’t engage
users don't miss deadlines and reward don’t engage
2.
users avoid forgetfulness with the same due dates and payment routines - high mental load.
users avoid forgetfulness with the same due dates and payment routines - high mental load.
3.
users tend to use analog tools that are highly adaptable
users tend to use analog tools that are highly adaptable
-
there are different types of user and each of them require a different solution
there are different types of user and each of them require a different solution
spliting the
app in three
spliting the
app in three
In three personas!
One of the points most raised by users was flexibility and the possibility of adapting the application to suit their needs.
But what is the real need of each client? It depends!
With the intention of catering for a wider range of users, the solution was to divide the application into three different 'layers', one for each level of financial control. And for each of these layers, a persona.
In three personas!
One of the points most raised by users was flexibility and the possibility of adapting the application to suit their needs.
But what is the real need of each client? It depends!
With the intention of catering for a wider range of users, the solution was to divide the application into three different 'layers', one for each level of financial control. And for each of these layers, a persona.
Chris is 23 and has just started managing his money. He needs a simple, intuitive tool to help him manage the money he receives and save a little for the vacations, without getting into debt.
Chris is 23 and has just started managing his money. He needs a simple, intuitive tool to help him manage the money he receives and save a little for the vacations, without getting into debt.
Nicole is 31 and manages her finances, but she needs a more effective method. She also wants to be clearer about what she has achieved, organize herself to buy a house and plan a more comfortable retirement.
Nicole is 31 and manages her finances, but she needs a more effective method. She also wants to be clearer about what she has achieved, organize herself to buy a house and plan a more comfortable retirement.
Fred is 38 and wants to spend more time with his family rather than tracking his finances. He has investments and a number of accounts and would like to concentrate all his information in just one place.
Fred is 38 and wants to spend more time with his family rather than tracking his finances. He has investments and a number of accounts and would like to concentrate all his information in just one place.
and to better
understand...
and to better
understand...
Some of the techniques used to understand how to meet the needs of each of the future clients were user stories, task analysis, story board and user flow.
The user flow was a combination of these techniques and served as the basis for the wireframe and the entire structure of the application.
Some of the techniques used to understand how to meet the needs of each of the future clients were user stories, task analysis, story board and user flow.
The user flow was a combination of these techniques and served as the basis for the wireframe and the entire structure of the application.
the Statement
the Statement
An adaptable and time-saving app that help the user to achieve their financial goals in the easiest way
An adaptable and time-saving app that help the user to achieve their financial goals in the easiest way
More drawings
More drawings
To get a better idea of the app's functionality, it has been designed to suit a user with an average level of knowledge, like Nicole.
In this way, the app is also suitable for Chris, but for Fred to be able to access all the necessary features, he just needs to take advantage of the premium version of the app.
-Not all the journeys have been designed, but all the journeys planned in the wireframe have been designed and tested :)
To get a better idea of the app's functionality, it has been designed to suit a user with an average level of knowledge, like Nicole.
In this way, the app is also suitable for Chris, but for Fred to be able to access all the necessary features, he just needs to take advantage of the premium version of the app.
-Not all the journeys have been designed, but all the journeys planned in the wireframe have been designed and tested :)
testing the app
testing the app
Three scenarios were tested in the usability test with 23 testers and, due to the time available, the changes suggested could not be implemented. Despite this, there were few indications of improvement and overall acceptance was very positive.
Three scenarios were tested in the usability test with 23 testers and, due to the time available, the changes suggested could not be implemented. Despite this, there were few indications of improvement and overall acceptance was very positive.
TASK 01
TASK 01
GOAL - Understand whether the basic function of the app (adding expenses and income) is simple and straightforward.
SCENARIO - Log in to the application and add an expense
GOAL - Understand whether the basic function of the app (adding expenses and income) is simple and straightforward.
SCENARIO - Log in to the application and add an expense
Indirect success - 62 seconds
Indirect success - 62 seconds
Direct success - 25 seconds
Direct success - 25 seconds
TASK 02
TASK 02
GOAL - Understanding whether transaction research is seamless
SCENARIO - Check transactions for December
GOAL - Understanding whether transaction research is seamless
SCENARIO - Check transactions for December
Indirect success - 66 seconds
Indirect success - 66 seconds
Direct success - 8 seconds
Direct success - 8 seconds
TASK 03
TASK 03
GOAL - Understand whether the way in which the objectives are set out is clear enough.
SCENARIO - Add a new goal
GOAL - Understand whether the way in which the objectives are set out is clear enough.
SCENARIO - Add a new goal
Indirect success - 51 seconds
Indirect success - 51 seconds
Direct success - 10 seconds
Direct success - 10 seconds
User’s feedback
User’s feedback
The second scenario, where it was required to find December's transactions, was the one that generated the most confusion. It's ideal to revisit the design without necessarily losing the idea of moving through the months laterally, without a fixed limit.
The second scenario, where it was required to find December's transactions, was the one that generated the most confusion. It's ideal to revisit the design without necessarily losing the idea of moving through the months laterally, without a fixed limit.
the design
the design
The app was designed to meet the needs of Nicole, the persona who corresponds to the intermediate level of knowledge. With this, Chris, the user with basic knowledge is also catered for. Fred, on the other hand, would have to resort to the paid version of the application at a later updated version.
Not all the screens have been designed, but the screens that generate a better understanding of the prototype are present.
To access the navigable prototype, just go to the Figma link.
The app was designed to meet the needs of Nicole, the persona who corresponds to the intermediate level of knowledge. With this, Chris, the user with basic knowledge is also catered for. Fred, on the other hand, would have to resort to the paid version of the application at a later updated version.
Not all the screens have been designed, but the screens that generate a better understanding of the prototype are present.
To access the navigable prototype, just go to the Figma link.
next steps
next steps
In a second step, I would start by creating and testing a second way of presenting monthly transactions, the point that had the most feedback during the usability test.
In addition, it would be interesting to design the journey of a user with deeper knowledge and add other features such as connection to the bank and simultaneous accounts.
In a second step, I would start by creating and testing a second way of presenting monthly transactions, the point that had the most feedback during the usability test.
In addition, it would be interesting to design the journey of a user with deeper knowledge and add other features such as connection to the bank and simultaneous accounts.
takeaways
takeaways
Knowing who the product's target audience is. I ended up not focusing on the audience desired by the stakeholder and this may have been the reason for the difference between the objective presented in the brief and the one found after the interviews with users.
Teamwork. Not having someone to exchange ideas with and receive feedback from makes the process less rich and interesting.
Knowing who the product's target audience is. I ended up not focusing on the audience desired by the stakeholder and this may have been the reason for the difference between the objective presented in the brief and the one found after the interviews with users.
Teamwork. Not having someone to exchange ideas with and receive feedback from makes the process less rich and interesting.
build with 🤍 in Nantes, France
don’t be a stranger!
feel free to connect :)
build with 🤍 in Nantes, France