Duration

May 2023 - August 2023
Handed off for implementation

Role

UX Designer

Team

Aleksandr Molchagin (Product Lead), Grace Guan (Product Manager), Laolu Ganiy (Design Manager), Amie Trang, Eric Kim, Fatima Ortega, Natalie Zhu

Skills

User Research
Design Systems
Usability Testing
Interactive Design
Prototyping

Tools

Figma
Figjam
Miro
Notion
Google Docs
Pen & Paper

Maryland Therapeutic Riding services support our mission by connecting human and horse to help conquer physical, developmental and emotional challenges and improve quality of life.

As a Designer for Develop for Good we got paired up with MTR to develop a web platform to enable a higher level of stressor customization for horses as well as 2 tiers of differing access for primary and secondary users to reduce administrative time spent on maintaining the current excel sheet.
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Our goal was to develop an MVP internal tool that supports partners at MTR with access to data-rich metrics in their goal to give their herd the best care and health possible.

Problem Statement

Currently, MTR is inefficiently inputting data on their horse’s stress levels. MTR wants to have a better way of operating with their staff and horses and would like to easily share the inputted data and be aware of which horses would need their immediate attention. To get efficiency improvements in their herd operations, MTR Staffs' need easier ways to:

1. Enable higher levels of horse stressor tracking & customization,
2. Tier access for primary and secondary users,
3. Reduce administrative time spent on maintaining the current excel sheet,
4. Communicate efficiently across teams

Goals

Our goal is to revolutionize the way horse stress levels are tracked and managed. By streamlining data input processes and facilitating easy data sharing, we aim to empower MTR staff to efficiently monitor horse well-being and promptly address any concerns. Success for MTR would mean:

1. A more Efficient Team
2. A Healthier Herd
3. Lower operating costs
4. A rich Data pool for fund-raising activities

Our ask ...

"How might we develop an application with streamlined stressor input and aggregation functions while integrating supporting features aligned with the app's purpose, ensuring the finished product remains low in complexity compared to the Farm's current solution?"

From Excel Sheets To Bespoke WebApp

Jump to Solutions

Research Summary

Research Methods

Before designing, the team tried to understand and empathize with MTR staff users. To achieve this, we undertook our research through 5 research tools. We also scheduled client interviews for walkthroughs and key terms definition.

Mind Mapping

Deeply understand how MTR currently works and how they think their processes could be improved

Storyboarding

Understand the flow and needs of our client ; Get an accurate representation of the role our future designs will complete, setting specific design goals to guide us throughout our process as we proceed with the project.

Competitor Analysis

Establish if there is a need for a new application as well as look into how the comparative solutions solve some similar problems.

User Flow

Two separate user flows which then fed into our ideation process of sketching options and solutions to solve the problems both persona types currently face.

Key Takeaway

Key Takeaway 1

Identification of Systemic Barrier

Uncovered a significant barrier in the current system characterized by a lack of customization and detailed data, hindering accurate calculation of horse stress levels. This insight underscores the critical need for a more tailored and data-driven approach to stress management within the equestrian environment.

Key Takeaway 2

Critical Need for Data-Driven Features

Highlighted the essential role of a robust communication system in facilitating seamless interaction among staff and ensuring transparency in horse health management. By enabling efficient communication channels, the proposed solution aims to elevate the quality of services provided to riders while fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration among staff members.

Key Takeaway 3

Enhancing Communication and Transparency

Recognized the absence of data rich features such as stress leaderboards and stress categorization, essential for empowering staff with valuable insights to make informed decisions. Addressing this gap is imperative for enhancing the efficacy of stress management protocols and optimizing horse welfare within the facility.

Final Deliverables

Tiered Access and Edit Capabilities

Authentication and onboarding to the platform were bifurcated according to user requirements (PT instructors and Admin staff) with differing levels of access.

Pain Points Addressed

A) Admin staff can use their profiles to access or edit sensitive/non-sensitive information which PT accounts can't. Access to administrative capabilities through edit leaning buttons and a staff management tab in side panel
B) Both tiers have access to rich data pool and communication channels

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Horse Stress Levels Management (Alerts & Tracking)

This feature automatically sorts Horses into stress categories according to levels of burnout. Also contained are tabs for data collation & CTAs to aid communication.

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Before - Horse Stress Management

Now - Interactions showing horse Stress Management.

Managing Horse Profiles

Interaction showing horse profile creation flow

Interaction showing horse profile overview & history

Pain Points Addressed

A) Admin staff can also view its history and customize a horse's stressor
B) PT staff can simply view and track a horse's activities over time

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Interaction showing stressor management & feedback feature

Stressors Customization

The ability to input custom values for custom Stressor types. (Stressor Types: activity for horse on a given day, Stressor values: customized for every horse for stress experienced per event)

Before—Stressor default customization for all Horses

After—Interaction design showing Stressor default customization for all Horses Now

Pain Points Addressed

A) Stressor types & values can be easily changed en-masse

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Staff Profile Management

Interaction showing Staff Profile Management
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Rich data Insights

Data-rich dashboard collating data from all Horses with insight tabs on Individual horses, detailing their stress levels, activities and general health over a session, week or day.
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A personalized view of the dashboard for either administrative or general staff members

A) Easily-digested data
B) Data-led and gamified leaderboards for insight deduction
C) CTAs that enable admins to alert or send reminders to pony partners, massively improving the efficiency of all involved

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