Requested: Thomas Jefferson University
Problem:
I selected the disaster relief problem space. Due to global warming there is an increased number of devastating natural disasters affecting people and their homes. I decided to focus on devastating hurricanes.
“over the past two to three decades. For the continental United States in the Atlantic Basin, models project a 45-87% increase in the frequency of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes”
*https://www.c2es.org/content/hurricanes-and-climate-change/
I utilized the Double Diamond design approach for my thesis – this being the discover and define section. Through initial book research I defined my initial problem statement 2/3 of people facing devastating hurricanes do not have enough insurance to fully recover. How might we increase the number of people who may experience a devastating hurricane be better prepared to utilize insurance.
Armed with my iphone and a recording app, I flew to Houston, Texas.. The All Hands and Hearts, a non profit that helps clean up after natural disasters, helped connect me with clients and interview them.
At this point I moved into the 2nd half the the double diamond design method, develop and deliver. I redefined my problem statement and how might we statement. How might we reduce the number of people who experience a fraud after a devastating hurricane. To validate the solution I utilized personas, vapor tests, journey mapping, interviewing, risky assumption matrix, the Moscow method and usability testing. While also creating the prototype
At this point I defined my application as a digital product that provides protection and insurance against fraud after natural disaster. Essentially through contractor shield homeowner pays a monthly or yearly fee to have a contractor on retainer. They select their contractor before a storm hits preventing them from being a place of vulnerability after a storm.
I created a MVP and flew to Miami, Florida to interview users with the prototype.
Based on the results of the user testing I reworked my user flow and wireframes.
I mapped out my persona Jim’s experience identifying the an intervention opportunity for my application to positively effect the user
I created several vapor tests using Facebook to help validate my riskiest assumptions. Another assumption validation tool I utilized was a survey to contractors in the area. I asked how they would imagine using my product. 3 out of the 10 contractors responded and all three expressed interest in my product.
During my interviews it became clear that users all were very familiar with the problem of contractor fraud. If that were the case then I thought perhaps I should change the name of my application from hurricane protect. The original ad had 408 People Reached 364 Post Engagement the new ad had 1714 People Reached and 929 video views, a 320% increase. This confirmed my suspicion.
Based on the user research I compiled featured that would be need for the my product. Then by conducting a MoScow analysis I defined my final requirements.
