Build Your Own SAP Fiori App in the Cloud

...

00:05:37

You then need to synthesize your findings, scope out the real problem you're addressing, and then go back and research again with those same stakeholders to see if you're on the right track.

00:05:47

As the saying goes, rinse and repeat until you have strong enough validation that you can move on to the solution space.

00:05:54

Here, often it can be easy to fall into the trap of assuming you know what you need to build.

00:05:59

But remember to diverge first. Brainstorm many possible approaches. Then create some prototypes, which we'll show you how to do in some upcoming units.

00:06:08

Seek validation, refine the solution, and go round the process again. Before you start implementing, make sure you have enough validation.

00:06:18

Okay. Now to zoom in on some tools and approaches that will be very helpful to you as you go through this design thinking process.

00:06:25

One thing you'll want to do is create a persona. Personas are fictional characters based on real data to represent user types.

00:06:33

They are extremely useful when considering goals, desires, and limitations of the users, and they really help guide design decisions.

00:06:42

Personas put a personal human face on otherwise abstract data about customers.

00:06:47

So as you consider the type of app you want to create and the problem you're solving for, ask yourself these questions.

00:06:54

What are the characteristics of the users who are going to use this app? What are their tasks on the job? What IT touchpoints do they have?

00:07:02

What are their goals in the context of this scenario? What triggers them to even start the scenario?

00:07:09

So here's a template to help you get started. You'll be able to download and fill this out later,

00:07:14

but for now just know that it really helps the design process if you take into consideration these characteristics of your persona.

00:07:21

List out their background, job responsibilities, needs, goals, pain points, stakeholders, competencies, etc.

00:07:29

Here's the same template filled out. Don't worry if you can't see it just now on the screen.

00:07:34

You'll be able to download both the empty version and the completed version to review later.

00:07:40

Again, just know that it's important to create this profile and let it inform you on the problems and solutions you are considering with your app.

00:07:49

So once you have a persona created, the next step is to create a current user experience journey.

00:07:55

This is used to achieve a common understanding of the mindset of the user, and it provides the sequence of actions and touchpoints the user is involved in as part of their journey.

00:08:05

For the particular scenario identified, as the questions:

00:08:09

What's on the persona's mind while taking actions on their journey? How do they feel each step of the way?

00:08:15

What are the actions and activities they take while trying to achieve their goal? What touchpoints do they have along this path?

00:08:23

So let's look at an example. Here's a persona that loves coffee and has a user experience journey each time he or she goes through the process of getting coffee.

00:08:32

Look at the mindset to understand what's top of mind. Things like I need my coffee. There's a line. How much is this going to cost? Do I want sugar? Do I want a latte or do I want drip?

00:08:43

Next look at the actions taken. The persona has to go to the coffee shop, get in line, look at the menu, make a choice, wait, order, pickup, pay, get condiments,

00:08:53

add milk, take coffee. The list goes on. There's so many things involved. Who knew getting coffee has so many actions associated with it?

00:09:01

And then lastly, identify all the touchpoints involved. Sometimes we refer to these as tools or channels or devices or conversations.

00:09:09

There's a menu board. There's a barista. There's a cashier. Perhaps a mobile device is involved. There's a seating area.

00:09:15

Maybe they have their own coffee mug or loyalty card. Things like that.

00:09:21

So once the current user experience journey is completed, try and note the pain points and important moments. What are the most important moments?

00:09:29

What are the critical decision points? At what point does the user