PUCP Móvil - Case Study

«PUCP Móvil» is a mobile application developed for university students of PUCP managed by the Information Technologies Directorate of PUCP, through wich students can carry out varios process: View courses, schedules, dining halls, cubicles, grades and payments.

‎‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎EMPATHIZE

Usability is a fundamental aspect for software creation, as Ahmad and Hussaini (2021) state «The real effects of using mobile applications in higher education will depend on students’ viewpoints and whether they are usable.»

Regarding the background, it is observed in the Google Play and App Store app stores that the application has a very low rating, accompanied by comments that indicate the following:

  • Lacks other functionalities.
  • Confusing information.
  • Failures within some processes.
  • Very outdated interface design.
  • Errors on some screens.

Usabiliy Testing

Usability tests were conducted with application users, including 5 students from different cycles and majors. This diversity aimed to gather varied feedback and gain a better understanding of the needs of the university community. The usability tests were conducted remotely using a usability testing guide, profile validation questions, and scenarios simulating a typical day at the university. Users were asked to navigate through different sections of the application during various real-life situations, and qualitative questions were asked about each section at the end of the test. Finally, a System Usability Scale (SUS) survey was administered to qualitatively evaluate the application.

Results

Qualitative Results Summary:

  • Poor information organization.
  • Inadequate section prioritization in the menu.
  • Poor use of screen space.
  • Outdated and unattractive user interface design.
  • Cubicle reservation process with too many steps.
  • Very outdated interface design.
  • Hidden important sections.
  • Lack of awareness of some functionalities due to them being hidden.
  • Lack of relevant information in each of the courses
  • A Dark Mode would be a usefull feature
 
Quantitative Results: A quantitative SUS Score of 49 out of 100 points was obtained.

‎‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎DEFINE

User Persona

Empathy Map

Jouney Map - Cubicle Reservation

Problem Statement

The PUCP Móvil application, designed to facilitate various university-related processes for students, faces significant usability challenges. Users encounter difficulties due to poor information organization, inadequate section prioritization in the menu, and an outdated and unattractive user interface design. The cubicle reservation process within the application is overly complex, leading to frustration among users. Important sections are hidden, and users lack awareness of certain functionalities due to their obscure placement. Furthermore, there is a lack of relevant information provided for each course. These issues hinder the user experience and overall effectiveness of the application, highlighting the critical need for a comprehensive usability overhaul.

‎‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎IDEATE

Proposed Solution

Design Interface Enhancement: Develop a comprehensive interface redesign proposal for the PUCP Móvil application, focusing on improving user experience by enhancing information organization, prioritizing sections effectively, and adopting a modern interface design aligned with the PUCP identity manual. Conduct extensive usability testing sessions with diverse users to evaluate the effectiveness of the interface redesign in addressing usability issues and improving overall user experience. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons with the first usability test will provide insights into the extent of improvement.

Userflow

A user flow was created to guide users through the main actions and functionalities of the PUCP Móvil application, from login to performing actions such as viewing courses, booking cubicles, checking cafeteria schedules, among others.
The interface elements were reorganized into five main sections: Agenda, Courses, Cubicles, Cafeterias, and Profile. Wireframes provide a basic visual structure of each section, showing the layout of elements and main functionalities without design details.

Wireframes

‎‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎PROTOTYPE

Design System

The current PUCP brand manual was followed to ensure visual consistency throughout the application. Design rules, such as color palette, typography, iconography, and button styles, were established to maintain a solid and recognizable visual identity.

Mockups

Detailed mockups were created to represent the final appearance of the PUCP Móvil application. These high-fidelity prototypes include visual elements such as colors, images, and simulated content, allowing for a more accurate preview of the interface before implementation.

Dark Mode

Following user feedback from usability testing on the current version, the implementation of a dark mode was suggested. Mockups were also designed with dark mode in mind to accommodate this request, providing users with an alternative interface option for better readability and reduced eye strain, especially in low-light environments.

Functional Prototype

An interactive functional prototype was developed to replicate key functionalities of the PUCP Móvil application. This prototype allows users to perform actions such as navigating through different sections, making reservations, accessing information, and performing profile actions. It is used for usability testing with users, identifying potential issues, and validating the design before final implementation.

‎‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎TEST

Usabiliy Testing

For the usability testing of the proposed solution, the number of users was increased to seven. This decision was made to include the Faculty of «Estudios Generales Ciencias» and «Estudios Generales Letras».

The usability testing process was conducted similarly to the first usability test. Each user was assigned specific scenarios corresponding to different sections of the application, such as Agenda, Courses, Cubicles, Cafeterias, and Profile. These scenarios were designed to simulate real-world usage scenarios and evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed interface enhancements in addressing usability issues and improving user experience.

During the testing sessions, users were asked to perform tasks relevant to their assigned scenarios while providing feedback on their experiences, including any difficulties encountered, preferences, and suggestions for improvement

Qualitative Results Summary:

  • Improvement in aesthetics and ease of access: Users expressed satisfaction with the aesthetic enhancements and improved accessibility of the interface.
  • Positive feedback on cubicle reservation study: Users found the changes made to the cubicle reservation process noticeable and appreciated the improvements.
  • Preference for the proposed version: Users indicated a preference for the proposed version over the current one, noting that it is more detailed, precise, complete, organized, and interactive.
  • Prioritization of student needs: Users appreciated the organization of information, which prioritizes the needs of students and enhances their overall experience with the application.
 

Quantitative Results: A quantitative score of 90 out of 100 points was obtained.

Conclusion:

The case study of the PUCP Móvil application highlights the importance of user-centered design and continuous improvement in digital products. Through an iterative process involving user feedback, usability testing, and interface enhancements, significant strides were made in enhancing the user experience and addressing usability issues identified in the initial assessment.

The redesign of the application’s interface, guided by principles of information organization, aesthetic improvement, and ease of access, resulted in positive feedback from users. The implementation of features such as dark mode, along with the reorganization of sections based on user needs, demonstrated a commitment to meeting the diverse preferences and requirements of the university community.

Usability testing played a crucial role in validating the effectiveness of the proposed changes and identifying areas for further refinement. By increasing the number of users in the testing phase and diversifying the participant pool, a more comprehensive understanding of user perspectives was achieved, leading to more informed design decisions.

References:

Aaron Chávarry – Portfolio