Creating a Clickable Prototype for User Feedback.
The idea was to create a clickable first version of the product to conduct interviews, see if the product helps the customer as expected, and help the customer understand its value. Simple tools were used to avoid investing in code before proving the value.
Project leader, prototype designer, executor, interview acquirer, salesman, and researcher.
I worked on this project by myself.
I wanted to gather enough information to see if I could monetize the idea of building real estate software for private landlords. Challenges included lacking contacts or colleagues in the field for conducting interviews and the task of building a prototype myself.
As a technical person, I started with creating a simple prototype based on my own experience as a landlord and some internet research. I followed the cycle principle BUILD, MEASURE, LEARN, which is now known as agile product development methodology.
BUILD: Created a simple prototype using tools I was familiar with, then discovered new tools like Balsamiq for low-level prototypes. I tested several tools and finally used Framer for a mid-level interactive prototype.
MEASURE: Reached out to potential customers, conducted interviews to get feedback. Used Google and real estate listings to contact them via email, contact form, or phone call, presenting the project as a dissertation to lure them into a meeting.
LEARN: Compiled all the information gathered to define the next steps, either iterating on the idea and prototype or deciding to drop it based on feedback.
Management Perspective: Knowledge gathering and initial value evaluation of the idea using an MVP.
Customer Perspective: Landlords could document their properties, report issues, manage handovers, and list empty properties.
Visuals of the first prototype designs, landing page, and callout scripts will be provided in the final HTML page.
The interviews provided enough information to evaluate the potential value of the idea to customers and guide the evolution of the prototype to add more value.
Conducting interviews required more effort and bravery than expected, challenging both the idea and my personality. It was a learning experience in being open to other ideas and ways of thinking, especially as a perfectionist. Starting this way saved money and provided crucial insights into workflows and motivations, essential for building valuable products. I also learned how to approach and motivate potential clients, as well as when to back down.
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