Facilitating easier documentation for product managers
A tool to help product managers make documentation catering to different stakeholders and reduce redundant tasks.
A tool to help product managers make documentation catering to different stakeholders and reduce redundant tasks.
A tool to help product managers make documentation catering to different stakeholders and reduce redundant tasks.
SaaS
SaaS
SaaS
Fall 2023
Fall 2023
Fall 2023
4 Weeks
4 Weeks
4 Weeks
My Role
Conducted interviews with product managers.
Conducted interviews with product managers.
Conducted interviews with product managers.
Conducted secondary research.
Conducted secondary research.
Conducted secondary research.
Brainstormed solutions.
Brainstormed solutions.
Brainstormed solutions.
Developed low and high fidelity designs
Developed low and high fidelity designs
Developed low and high fidelity designs
Conducted user-testing sessions.
Conducted user-testing sessions.
Conducted user-testing sessions.
Timeline
4 weeks. (Fall 2023)
Team
Collaborated with 3 other HCI Students
EXPLORATORY INTERVIEWS
EXPLORATORY INTERVIEWS
EXPLORATORY INTERVIEWS
Exploration before arriving at the problem statement
Exploration before arriving at the problem statement
Exploration before arriving at the problem statement
Our initial goal was to comprehend the challenges encountered by product managers and subsequently delve into specific issues.
Our initial goal was to comprehend the challenges encountered by product managers and subsequently delve into specific issues.
Our initial goal was to comprehend the challenges encountered by product managers and subsequently delve into specific issues.
We conducted 3 interviews with Product Managers to understand their pain points. They had 3 main problems:
We conducted 3 interviews with Product Managers to understand their pain points. They had 3 main problems:
We conducted 3 interviews with Product Managers to understand their pain points. They had 3 main problems:
Our conversations revealed numerous previously unknown problems, with two issues demanding utmost attention.
Our conversations revealed numerous previously unknown problems, with two issues demanding utmost attention.
Our conversations revealed numerous previously unknown problems, with two issues demanding utmost attention.
01
Communication Challenges
Communication Challenges
Communication Challenges
Product managers we interviewed faced challenges communicating changes, including misalignment, skepticism, priority balancing, and technical complexity.
Product managers we interviewed faced challenges communicating changes, including misalignment, skepticism, priority balancing, and technical complexity.
Product managers we interviewed faced challenges communicating changes, including misalignment, skepticism, priority balancing, and technical complexity.
"Convincing business teams when the feature has more to do with user experience rather than achieving a business metric."
"Convincing business teams when the feature has more to do with user experience rather than achieving a business metric."
02
Instances of Miscommunication
Instances of Miscommunication
Instances of Miscommunication
Miscommunication and misunderstandings arose from unclear communication, often due to the use of technical jargon with non-technical stakeholders.
Miscommunication and misunderstandings arose from unclear communication, often due to the use of technical jargon with non-technical stakeholders.
Miscommunication and misunderstandings arose from unclear communication, often due to the use of technical jargon with non-technical stakeholders.
“I once shared a high-level roadmap with key stakeholders during a meeting, outlining the major milestones and deadlines for the upcoming quarter. I used technical jargon terminology to present the information, assuming that the stakeholders had a similar level of understanding.”
“I once shared a high-level roadmap with key stakeholders during a meeting, outlining the major milestones and deadlines for the upcoming quarter. I used technical jargon terminology to present the information, assuming that the stakeholders had a similar level of understanding.”
03
Documentation Challenges
Documentation Challenges
Documentation Challenges
Creating documentation for different stakeholders with varying needs was a common challenge. To address this, some PMs mentioned the need to build templates and provide multiple examples to cater to different levels of understanding.
Creating documentation for different stakeholders with varying needs was a common challenge. To address this, some PMs mentioned the need to build templates and provide multiple examples to cater to different levels of understanding.
Creating documentation for different stakeholders with varying needs was a common challenge. To address this, some PMs mentioned the need to build templates and provide multiple examples to cater to different levels of understanding.
“Need to build templates to make sure the communication is broken down to their level of understanding.”
“Need to build templates to make sure the communication is broken down to their level of understanding.”
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Desk Research to understand the core of the problem
Desk Research to understand the core of the problem
Desk Research to understand the core of the problem
Product managers face multiple challenges related to the time-consuming nature of creating multiple documents for effective communication and documentation. Some statistics of the impact are
Product managers face multiple challenges related to the time-consuming nature of creating multiple documents for effective communication and documentation. Some statistics of the impact are
Product managers face multiple challenges related to the time-consuming nature of creating multiple documents for effective communication and documentation. Some statistics of the impact are
64%
64%
64%
Time Consumption
Time Consumption
Time Consumption
Of product managers spend a significant portion of their daily work dealing with creating multiple documents
Of product managers spend a significant portion of their daily work dealing with creating multiple documents
Of product managers spend a significant portion of their daily work dealing with creating multiple documents
15%
15%
15%
Impact on workflow
Impact on workflow
Impact on workflow
Decrease in overall workflow efficiency
Decrease in overall workflow efficiency
Decrease in overall workflow efficiency
12%
12%
12%
Economic impact
Economic impact
Economic impact
Rise in operational costs
Rise in operational costs
Rise in operational costs
Who are the competitors?
Who are the competitors?
Who are the competitors?
There are several platforms that provide templates and tools to make documentation. Some of the notable ones are:
There are several platforms that provide templates and tools to make documentation. Some of the notable ones are:
There are several platforms that provide templates and tools to make documentation. Some of the notable ones are:
Coda
Coda
Coda
Atlassian Confluence
Atlassian Confluence
Atlassian Confluence
Notion
Notion
Notion
The major drawback is they do not consider the specific necessities of a product manager but are more catered to general documentation
The major drawback is they do not consider the specific necessities of a product manager but are more catered to general documentation
The major drawback is they do not consider the specific necessities of a product manager but are more catered to general documentation
PROBLEM SPACE
PROBLEM SPACE
PROBLEM SPACE
Product managers are required to prepare a lot of documentation catering to different stakeholders. The needs and ways of communication for each stakeholder vary vastly, hence requiring the product manager to spend a lot of time preparing redundant documentation.
Product managers are required to prepare a lot of documentation catering to different stakeholders. The needs and ways of communication for each stakeholder vary vastly, hence requiring the product manager to spend a lot of time preparing redundant documentation.
Product managers are required to prepare a lot of documentation catering to different stakeholders. The needs and ways of communication for each stakeholder vary vastly, hence requiring the product manager to spend a lot of time preparing redundant documentation.
Our problem space revolves around addressing the challenges they face in maintaining streamlined communication and increasing productivity.
Our problem space revolves around addressing the challenges they face in maintaining streamlined communication and increasing productivity.
Our problem space revolves around addressing the challenges they face in maintaining streamlined communication and increasing productivity.
PROBLEM STATEMENt
PROBLEM STATEMENt
PROBLEM STATEMENt
The problem statement as a ‘How might we’
The problem statement as a ‘How might we’
The problem statement as a ‘How might we’
After thorough analysis of the entire research, we framed a ‘How might we’ statement to better structure the problem we’re solving.
After thorough analysis of the entire research, we framed a ‘How might we’ statement to better structure the problem we’re solving.
After thorough analysis of the entire research, we framed a ‘How might we’ statement to better structure the problem we’re solving.
How might we streamline and optimize the communication process for product managers, enabling them to reduce redundant documentation while tailoring their messages to resonate with diverse stakeholders, ultimately enhancing their overall productivity?
How might we streamline and optimize the communication process for product managers, enabling them to reduce redundant documentation while tailoring their messages to resonate with diverse stakeholders, ultimately enhancing their overall productivity?
How might we streamline and optimize the communication process for product managers, enabling them to reduce redundant documentation while tailoring their messages to resonate with diverse stakeholders, ultimately enhancing their overall productivity?
Identifying key user requirements
Identifying key user requirements
Identifying key user requirements
From the research we conducted, we analysed 3 major user needs that need to be solved through our product.
From the research we conducted, we analysed 3 major user needs that need to be solved through our product.
From the research we conducted, we analysed 3 major user needs that need to be solved through our product.
Task Efficiency
Task Efficiency
Task Efficiency
A tool that reduces redundant creating of tailored documents for stakeholders.
A tool that reduces redundant creating of tailored documents for stakeholders.
A tool that reduces redundant creating of tailored documents for stakeholders.
Self learning system
Self learning system
Self learning system
User seek a self-learning system that can adapt to their unique communication styles and preferences.
User seek a self-learning system that can adapt to their unique communication styles and preferences.
User seek a self-learning system that can adapt to their unique communication styles and preferences.
Customization flexibility
Customization flexibility
Customization flexibility
Flexibility to customize templates to address unique scenarios and stakeholder needs.
Flexibility to customize templates to address unique scenarios and stakeholder needs.
Flexibility to customize templates to address unique scenarios and stakeholder needs.
Consequences of the problem
Consequences of the problem
Consequences of the problem
The consequences of the problem are minor in the short term but accumulate over time, eventually causing issues.
The consequences of the problem are minor in the short term but accumulate over time, eventually causing issues.
The consequences of the problem are minor in the short term but accumulate over time, eventually causing issues.
Communication and documentation inefficiencies hinder product managers' productivity, causing misalignment and skepticism among stakeholders. This also negatively impacts managers' well-being, contributing to burnout and stress.
Communication and documentation inefficiencies hinder product managers' productivity, causing misalignment and skepticism among stakeholders. This also negatively impacts managers' well-being, contributing to burnout and stress.
These issues lead to economic consequences, including project delays, higher costs, and potential revenue losses. Furthermore, they disrupt collaboration in cross-functional teams, jeopardizing the quality of final product deliverables.
These issues lead to economic consequences, including project delays, higher costs, and potential revenue losses. Furthermore, they disrupt collaboration in cross-functional teams, jeopardizing the quality of final product deliverables.
Assumptions for the product
Assumptions for the product
Assumptions for the product
01
Product managers’ primary role is to manage the stakeholders and would certainly involve preparing documentation. This cannot be totally omitted.
Product managers’ primary role is to manage the stakeholders and would certainly involve preparing documentation. This cannot be totally omitted.
02
Helping them reduce the amount of time they spend on this documentation will help increase their overall productivity.
Helping them reduce the amount of time they spend on this documentation will help increase their overall productivity.
Limitations
Limitations
Limitations
As the documentation is different for different organizations and these are some internal documents, we could not get a view of how they look like and the patterns they follow. Having tie-ups and associations with organizations to view and analyse the documentation process would certainly improve the efficiency of the process.
As the documentation is different for different organizations and these are some internal documents, we could not get a view of how they look like and the patterns they follow. Having tie-ups and associations with organizations to view and analyse the documentation process would certainly improve the efficiency of the process.
As the documentation is different for different organizations and these are some internal documents, we could not get a view of how they look like and the patterns they follow. Having tie-ups and associations with organizations to view and analyse the documentation process would certainly improve the efficiency of the process.
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
We aim to build a tool that helps them increase their productivity in documentation reduce redundancy, and cut down the time spent in creating tailored documents.
We aim to build a tool that helps them increase their productivity in documentation reduce redundancy, and cut down the time spent in creating tailored documents.
We aim to build a tool that helps them increase their productivity in documentation reduce redundancy, and cut down the time spent in creating tailored documents.
The tool utilizes 'attributes,' custom keywords chosen by the product manager to tag text for extraction in stakeholder documents. By learning the manager's tone and writing style, the tool employs generative AI to autonomously compose stakeholder documents, extracting data solely based on the specified attributes.
The tool utilizes 'attributes,' custom keywords chosen by the product manager to tag text for extraction in stakeholder documents. By learning the manager's tone and writing style, the tool employs generative AI to autonomously compose stakeholder documents, extracting data solely based on the specified attributes.
The tool utilizes 'attributes,' custom keywords chosen by the product manager to tag text for extraction in stakeholder documents. By learning the manager's tone and writing style, the tool employs generative AI to autonomously compose stakeholder documents, extracting data solely based on the specified attributes.
The solution has 2 parts
The solution has 2 parts
The solution has 2 parts
Part 1
Part 1
Part 1
PM creates source document
PM creates source document
PM creates source document
consisting of all the information they want to convey irrespective of stakeholder type and tags them with keywords.
consisting of all the information they want to convey irrespective of stakeholder type and tags them with keywords.
consisting of all the information they want to convey irrespective of stakeholder type and tags them with keywords.
Part 2
Part 2
Part 2
PM creates stakeholder document
PM creates stakeholder document
PM creates stakeholder document
consisting of all the commands to generate customized stakeholder document using generative AI and the keywords tagged earlier.
consisting of all the commands to generate customized stakeholder document using generative AI and the keywords tagged earlier.
consisting of all the commands to generate customized stakeholder document using generative AI and the keywords tagged earlier.
The designs
The designs
The designs
Designing the Low-fidelity paper wireframes
Designing the Low-fidelity paper wireframes
Designing the Low-fidelity paper wireframes
To brainstorm and iterate on our ideas, we created paper wireframes, facilitating the visualization and organization of our thoughts on paper.
To brainstorm and iterate on our ideas, we created paper wireframes, facilitating the visualization and organization of our thoughts on paper.
To brainstorm and iterate on our ideas, we created paper wireframes, facilitating the visualization and organization of our thoughts on paper.
Transforming the designs into Low-fidelity digital wireframes
Transforming the designs into Low-fidelity digital wireframes
Transforming the designs into Low-fidelity digital wireframes
The High-fidelity designs
The High-fidelity designs
The High-fidelity designs
The project has 3 major flows. Below are the slideshows explaining each flow with a description for each screen.
The project has 3 major flows. Below are the slideshows explaining each flow with a description for each screen.
The project has 3 major flows. Below are the slideshows explaining each flow with a description for each screen.
Part 1: PM creates source document
Part 1: PM creates source document
Part 1: PM creates source document
Part 2: PM creates template (stakeholder document)
Part 2: PM creates template (stakeholder document)
Part 2: PM creates template (stakeholder document)
TEST
TEST
TEST
Did the meet the users’ expectations? Let’s see
Did the meet the users’ expectations? Let’s see
Did the meet the users’ expectations? Let’s see
We had to go out of our initial focus groups to test our product, as ultimately every product managers needs are different. We recruited 3 other product managers to test our product. We used 2 methods to collect the data:
We had to go out of our initial focus groups to test our product, as ultimately every product managers needs are different. We recruited 3 other product managers to test our product. We used 2 methods to collect the data:
We had to go out of our initial focus groups to test our product, as ultimately every product managers needs are different. We recruited 3 other product managers to test our product. We used 2 methods to collect the data:
User testing with the prototype
User testing with the prototype
User testing with the prototype
Post-test questionnaire
Post-test questionnaire
Post-test questionnaire
Test Results:
Test Results:
Test Results:
2/3
2/3
2/3
Product Managers
Product Managers
Product Managers
were confident that their productivity would increase using the product.
were confident that their productivity would increase using the product.
were confident that their productivity would increase using the product.
1/3
1/3
1/3
Product Managers
Product Managers
Product Managers
felt that the product has scope to increase their productivity with some changes.
felt that the product has scope to increase their productivity with some changes.
felt that the product has scope to increase their productivity with some changes.
33%
33%
33%
Reduction in time
Reduction in time
Reduction in time
taken to create each stakeholder document
taken to create each stakeholder document
taken to create each stakeholder document
What worked?
What worked?
What worked?
The concept
The concept
The concept
The initial test results proved that the product and the concept are in the right directions. Users reported a need for more changes in the product to make it a good market fit.
The initial test results proved that the product and the concept are in the right directions. Users reported a need for more changes in the product to make it a good market fit.
The initial test results proved that the product and the concept are in the right directions. Users reported a need for more changes in the product to make it a good market fit.
Interface Design and the Experience
Interface Design and the Experience
Interface Design and the Experience
Users appreciated the UI of the tool and easily found all the features they were looking for. They liked the overall experience of the product.
Users appreciated the UI of the tool and easily found all the features they were looking for. They liked the overall experience of the product.
Users appreciated the UI of the tool and easily found all the features they were looking for. They liked the overall experience of the product.
Room for improvement!
Room for improvement!
Room for improvement!
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Confused with the term ‘attributes’ at the first, but eventually understood the usage and significance as they interacted with the flow.
Confused with the term ‘attributes’ at the first, but eventually understood the usage and significance as they interacted with the flow.
Confused with the term ‘attributes’ at the first, but eventually understood the usage and significance as they interacted with the flow.
Complicated user flow for first time users
Complicated user flow for first time users
Complicated user flow for first time users
Users expressed the need for a more user-friendly approach for first-time users, suggesting features like tooltips, walkthroughs etc to enhance the overall usability of the tool.
Users expressed the need for a more user-friendly approach for first-time users, suggesting features like tooltips, walkthroughs etc to enhance the overall usability of the tool.
Users expressed the need for a more user-friendly approach for first-time users, suggesting features like tooltips, walkthroughs etc to enhance the overall usability of the tool.
The impact the product could create when built
The impact the product could create when built
The impact the product could create when built
With potential changes made by gathering requirements from a more diverse set of product managers, the product has the potential to
With potential changes made by gathering requirements from a more diverse set of product managers, the product has the potential to
With potential changes made by gathering requirements from a more diverse set of product managers, the product has the potential to
Reduce the number of days required to document by a minimum of 10%
Reduce the number of days required to document by a minimum of 10%
Reduce the number of days required to document by a minimum of 10%
Leaving them room to work on other major responsibilities
Leaving them room to work on other major responsibilities
Leaving them room to work on other major responsibilities
Future scope
Future scope
Future scope
Implement onboarding features that guide users through the tool's specific terminology and functionalities. Provide tooltips or a glossary to assist users in understanding critical terms.
Implement onboarding features that guide users through the tool's specific terminology and functionalities. Provide tooltips or a glossary to assist users in understanding critical terms.
Implement onboarding features that guide users through the tool's specific terminology and functionalities. Provide tooltips or a glossary to assist users in understanding critical terms.
Enhance the tool's workflow to allow users more flexibility in creating source documents before or after stakeholder documents.
Enhance the tool's workflow to allow users more flexibility in creating source documents before or after stakeholder documents.
Enhance the tool's workflow to allow users more flexibility in creating source documents before or after stakeholder documents.
Continuous study and improvement to understand diverse product manager needs (including small, medium and large scale company product managers.
Continuous study and improvement to understand diverse product manager needs (including small, medium and large scale company product managers.
Continuous study and improvement to understand diverse product manager needs (including small, medium and large scale company product managers.
👩🏻💻 Presentation dayy!
👩🏻💻 Presentation dayy!
👩🏻💻 Presentation dayy!
