Google Maps

Devising design system for internal sales dashboards and reports
Timeline
Context
Project Type
Team
March ~ April 2023
Feature Proposal
UX Research
UI Exploration
Solo Project
Context
Google Maps is a critical tool for navigation, widely used by various user segments for point-to-point travel. However, the app currently lacks efficient multi-stop route planning capabilities.
01 Overview
The Proposal in a Nutshell
Users need to manually plan multi-stop routes, leading to inefficient and time-consuming travel.
    Why is a new feature needed?
    Currently, users planning multi-stop routes face the challenge of manually determining the most efficient sequence and timing, often leading to time wastage and suboptimal routing decisions.
    What are users doing to address this problem today?
    Users often resort to online research or trial-and-error to find efficient routes.
    What do users dislike about their current solution to the problem?
    Reviews of users of third party apps state that there are limitations these platforms, such as lack of integration with Google Maps and the inconvenience of using multiple apps.
    Opportunity
    Expanding Google Maps to include efficient multi-stop route planning not only addresses user frustrations but also leverages Google's extensive data and technology, providing a competitive advantage over other navigation apps.

    By seamlessly integrating this feature into its ecosystem, Google Maps can offer a comprehensive solution that simplifies travel planning and enhances user satisfaction, consolidating its position as the premier navigation tool.
    02 Reviews from Google play
    User Feedback
    03 exploring the solution space
    A Proposal to Address Complaints
    User adds multiple stops with just a click
    The user enters the addresses or locations of the various stops they want to add to their journey.
    Route Optimization
    Google Maps automatically optimizes the route by considering the order of stops, minimizing travel time. The user can access alternative route options by tapping a button, which displays different orderings of stops.
    Save Optimized Routes
    Users save routes for future use and access routes in saved lists 
    04 measuring success
    Logistics
    Cost/effort Estimation
    Research and Requirement Gathering (1 month):
    Team: UX Researchers, Product Managers, Data Analysts.
    Conduct user interviews, surveys, and market analysis to gather insights into user needs, preferences, and market trends. Define project scope, objectives, and success criteria

    Design and Wireframing (2 months):
    Team: UX Designers, UI Designers, Information Architects.
    Translate research findings into design requirements. Develop wireframes, prototypes, and user flows iteratively. Conduct usability testing to validate design assumptions and refine concepts.3.

    Development (3 months):
    Team: Frontend Developers, Backend Developers, Software Engineers.
    Implement features and functionalities based on approved designs and specifications. Ensure integration with existing Google Maps infrastructure. Address technical challenges and ensure scalability, reliability, and performance.

    Testing and Quality Assurance (2 months):
    Team: Quality Assurance Engineers, Testers, Automation Engineers.
    Develop test cases, perform functional testing, regression testing, and performance testing. Identify and report bugs, defects, and usability issues. Ensure adherence to quality standards and accessibility guidelines.

    Rollout and User Feedback (Ongoing):
    Team: Product Managers, Customer Support, Data Analysts.
    Plan and execute feature rollout strategy. Gather user feedback through beta testing, user surveys, and app reviews. Analyze user data and feedback to assess feature adoption, satisfaction, and impact. Iterate on feature based on user feedback and market dynamics.
    Constraints
    Technical Limitations: Development and implementation may encounter technical challenges, such as system compatibility issues or limitations in data processing capabilities, which could affect the timeline and feasibility of the project.

    User Adoption: While the feature aims to enhance user experience, there is an assumption that users will embrace and utilize the multi-stop route planning functionality. User education and outreach may be necessary to encourage adoption and maximize the feature's potential.

    Competitive Landscape: The competitive advantage offered by the multi-stop route planning feature assumes that competing navigation apps may not offer comparable functionality or integration with existing platforms. Continuous monitoring of the competitive landscape is necessary to adapt and maintain an edge in the market.
    Success Metrics
    - Increased adoption of multi-stop planning feature.
    - Reduced user complaints related to planning multi-stop routes.
    - Improved user satisfaction and higher app ratings.
    - Increased usage and engagement with the Google Maps app.