Group Members
- Andrew Sugaya, asugaya@mit.edu
- Evan Iwerks, iwerks@mit.edu
- Elisabeth Morant, egmorant@mit.edu
- TA:
Problem Statement
People are tasked to make decisions on a daily basis. When making those choices, sometimes asking a friend for advice isn't enough. PK3k is a website that connects the indecisive with the decisive, inviting the public to help make choices for those who can't do it alone.
GR1 - Task Analysis
User Analysis
Group 1: The Indecisive
Age: 13 - 35
Gender: N/A
Education: English literate
Abilities: Computer literate, Access to internet
Motivations: Trying to make a decision between two things ("Which TV should I buy: an LCD or Plasma?"). Curious about popular opinion on two things ("Which is better, a Kindle or a Nook?"). Looking for more, similar products ("I liked playing Angry Birds. What other games are like that?")
Existing Approaches: When making decisions or seeking popular opinion: asking friends, either in person (most common), over the phone, through texts, or through IM. Occasionally search the Internet for additional information about the topics.
When looking for more, similar products: search the Internet first, and ask friends for suggestions as a secondary resource.
Group 2: The Decisive
Age: 13 - 35
Gender: N/A
Education: English literate
Abilities: Computer literate, Access to internet
Motivations: Wanting to help others make decisions ("Get an XBox 360, not a PS3"). Providing information about a decision ("Plasma TVs are better suited for watching TV shows and movies.").
Existing Approaches: Respond to questions when asked directly ("if I get asked, it is usually because I am doing something with a group."), usually in person. Respond to texts and instant messages as well. Redirecting question to other resources when not knowing a good answer ("I don't know much about the Kindle or Nook, so I would ask another friend or check the Internet.").
Personae
Persona 1: Agnes is a 19-year-old female student with big plans for the evening. She's not sure what movie she should rent for her and her boyfriend, but knows that he really likes epic adventures. After scanning a top-10 list of adventure movies, Agnes decides that either Pan's Labyrinth or Lord of the Rings would be good choices - she thinks that she would like them, too. She then sets up a quick poll on PK3k: "Do I watch Pan's Labyrinth or Lord of the Rings tonight with my boyfriend?" Her friends all poll in favor of Lord of the Rings, commenting that the dark motifs and heavy violence in Pan's Labyrinth didn't encourage a romantic atmosphere. With this information, Agnes easily decides to pick up the first Lord of the Rings movie for the night.
Persona 2: Claudius is a 23-year-old male masseuse, about to go shopping with his father. They are planning to buy a new TV. They are ready to upgrade from the old CRT they have been using for years, but aren't sure whether an LCD or Plasma TV will better suit their needs. Claudius hops on to the PK3k website the night before they go shopping, raising a poll of which TV to buy. His friends and strangers all weigh in on the benefits of each TV type; the next morning, a total of thirteen votes have come in: 7 for Plasma and 6 for LCD. While Claudius isn't entirely sold by the voting results, he does feel better informed by reading the comments. He heads to the store with confidence, now knowing which questions to ask of the store's salesmen.
Persona 3: Gertrude is a 31-year-old female fashion designer. She has worked with a major tailoring retailer for years, and finds herself constantly called upon to offer fashion advice. With the advent of PK3k, Gertrude has an easier time providing quick advice to her friends. With a glance at the two types of shoes they're deciding between, or questions of what color to wear for an evening out, she can give her feedback with a single button press. Her friends awe always grateful for her input, and her ability to fit in advice on her own time makes the service far more useful than traditional phone calls or urgent texts.
Task Analysis
How often do you ask others to help make your decisions? (e.g. movies, activities, restaurants). How do you ask?
How often do you get asked to help others make decisions? How do they ask you?
High Level Tasks:
1) Ask for help deciding between two things for some reason.
Scenario 1: You are choosing between two shoes to buy. How do you choose?
Scenario 2: Stranger asks should I watch Star Wars IV or Lord of the Rings I. Do you help them? If so, how? If not, why not?
2) Help someone decide by voting on which they believe is better/solves a problem.
Scenario 1: Friend asks should I buy a Nook or a Kindle. Do you help them? If so, how? If not, why not?
3) Learn through observing what others are comparing things to.
Scenario 1: You already know you like Game of Thrones, and you see that someone is comparing it to LOTR. Does that increase your desire to learn about LOTR?
Scenario 2: You want to find more games like Angry Birds. What do you do?