Homework- Prototype & Testing August 19th 2013

Stakeholder – first jobber preparing to go back to school

Stands out in the crowd, has a distinct style slight attitude but very affable, stylish yet very casual, liberal arts background but working in a technology company which he loves .

Sharp and incisive with a love for theatre. Has set up a theatre production house as well.

The problem statement“Our multifaceted cool dude needs a

way to alleviate his tensions so that he can transition smoothly from work to

school ”

The context - need to fulfill his desires and address his worries

Exposure to thought leadership New learning

Futuristic learning Opportunity to network Great human interaction

Specific skills gained so better job

Desires Worries

Mindset change – salaried to student

less money- loss of financial independence

Worry of it being waste of time

Loss of access to contemporary technology

Loss of comfort zone

My 3 favorite ideas

Idea 1

Give a ‘real’ sample of the class to the student for an interim period before he joins

Create a pod in the work place where you go for 2-3 hours everyday – school class being held

Idea 2

Create a flawless experience by using the best team from a hospitality industry

Here the focus is not on just the physical comforts rather it is the mental & emotional issues which arise

The designer can understand each step and the dissonance & happiness connected with each

Easy to implement as long as you get the right talent.

Idea 3

Using technology to look into the future and then decide what works best–

While it requires a certain amount of serious thought yet it is doable with today’s pace of technology

It will help the student feel more secure and also able to rehearse the future

I have worked with two prototypes of idea 1 “Give a ‘real’ sample of the class to the student for an interim period”

Prototype 1 was built & tested with the same student( who faces the problem) & his younger brother (who is in grad. school).I used slides 7,8, 9 &10 to explain the prototype.Based on the feedback, I built an improved prototype .

Prototype 2 is that improved design on which I also have got feedback

The worries this idea plans to address

“Worry of it being waste of time”

“Mindset change – salaried to student” “Will I really get

what I want in the course- thought leadership, chance to learn the right skills”

“I have spent so much money and if

this is not what I wanted, what will I

do?”

So why not allow the student to straddle both worlds for an interim period to ease his way into school again

• This is an option which can be taken at admission time

• 3 months before he has to join, while he is still working, he goes to school for 3 hours at his workplace itself in a pod

• If he does not like the class, 90% of his money will be refunded

• Either early morning or late evening, he gets into the pod and starts his class

• The pod is soundproof, links him straight to the classroom

Prototype 1

Certain assumptions

1.Linkage between school and employer 2. This option will be communicated in HR policy

2. The school has to have a curriculum which understands the importance of dealing with this conflict and hence has the right empathy as well as challenge

3.This can only work in a job which allows adequate time – there is work life balance

4.Extremely good communication technology & connectivity

Prototype 1

So how will it work?

The school ships the pod which is light weight.

They have an arrangement with a

courier company

At time of admission, student has

specified need for this

option

4 months before, school

confirms address and

other aspects

Student links up

with office administr

ation.

The student sets the pod in the place next to his desk and at the allotted time,

gets into the pod and works undisturbed Prototype 1

What worked

Questions

What could be improved

Ideas

• Sampling a class for 3 months really allows the student to allay his fears

• No wastage of time as pod in office

• The technology of the pod needs to be cutting edge so that there are no interruptions

• Company can leverage building a reputation if it offers more

• What is the difference between using a company conference room to this pod?

• If the technology of the pod differs with the company technology , there will be conflict. Also, there could be problems of data security – company firewall ?

• Apart from content, what is the difference between an online course and this option?

• What is the economic impact on the student – does he have to pay anything? Prototype 1

Feedback received

On an overall basis – intuitively, they liked it but felt it needed a lot of thinking through

Prototype 2A pod offered by the employer which

allows the student to really experience a class – virtual class

Hence, I worked on this prototype

A virtual class in a pod offered by the employer

• This is an option which can be taken at admission time

• 3 months before he has to join, while he is still working, he goes to school for 3 hours at his workplace itself in a pod

• If he does not like the class, 90% of his money will be refunded

• Either early morning or late evening, he gets into the pod and starts his class

• The pod is soundproof, links him straight to the classroom, there is no technology snag as the office wireless/ equipment can be used

• The class can see him, talk to him, he is in a virtual class with the experience as close to real

Prototype 2

Assumptions modified1.Linkage between school and employer is very strong. The employer really believes that academic inputs add a lot to the personality of it’s employees2. This option will be communicated in HR policy

2. The school has to have a curriculum which understands the importance of dealing with this conflict and hence has the right empathy as well as challenge

3.This can only work in a job which allows adequate time – there is work life balance

4. The technology of the school & employer is compatible & there is no conflict

Prototype 2

So how will it work- modified from Prototype 1 ?

Aligns class timetable with Pod’s

availability. May require a certain

amount of coordination

At time of admission, student has

specified need for this

option

4 months before, school

confirms address

and other aspects

Student links up

with office admin.

At allotted time, student gets into the pod and

attends his classPrototype 2

Other mechanics

• Employer charges student for space and technology usage at nominal rates

• Also a salary cut for flexi time

• The school has logistics geared to deliver on the above in terms of technology in classroom etc

Prototype 2

What worked

Questions

What could be improved

Ideas

• Sampling a class for 3 months really allows the student to allay his fears

• No wastage of time as pod in office

• Win win for a forward looking company as it generates goodwill as well as may help in employee retention

• Let the student choose a credit course –it will be 3rd semester of the course so let him sample it

• Instead of independent pods, let there be a docking station where the student books time- also pays a nominal fee for it. Rest of the time, it can be used for multi location meetings for usage

• It can only work in a company which is very technology savvy

• The company has to have a lot of young people as they would really be interested in further education

• Fear of misuse of this option – many students will sample and leave

Prototype 2

Feedback received

Overall, they were excited about the reality of a virtual class and felt it could be a winner

a. What i learned by testing my prototypes;

b. What I would do next if I were to continue working on

the project.

What i learned by testing my prototypes;

I thought I had had a winner idea and I was really defensive when I tested my prototype the first time. However, I understood that if I divorced myself from the idea, I would be open to inputs

I was happy that I worked with a bare bone prototype first – clear enough to explain and allows builds

Every time, I go back to the prototype, I see scope for improvement- so I realize design is iterative

I also related this to my own business which I am building with my partner – instead of deciding on all aspects before we meet, I develop prototypes and seek feedback. Believe it or not, but we have managed to come up with great stuff now!

What you would do next if you were

to continue working on the project.

What I have understood is that the idea has potential and hence, I do not need to go back to the drawing board.

So, I would first seek feedback from 3-4 more similar people and make modifications.

I would then invite 2 students, one parent, one counselor, one employer to evaluate the prototypes

Based on their feedback, I would refine the prototype.

In parallel, I would examine see the practicality, cost benefit analysis.

Having done that, I would develop the concept and commission formal research to be able to ratify the above.

Thank You