Overview
Coparenting app turned evidence collection targets client spouse communications.
Initially, FamilyDocket asked Springbox to help them develop a strategy for a best-in-class co-parenting portal for divorced parents who need to schedule and communicate responsibilities while keeping the children out of the middle. The existing market was remarkably lacking in well-designed and well-maintained offerings.
Following the initial workshop, discovery, and feature prioritization, Duncan and the Springbox team persuaded FamilyDocket’s founders to direct their efforts at a different audience (the lawyers) and focus on text message collection as the differentiating feature.
As UX designer during the early stages of the project, Duncan was instrumental in realizing the need for change and making the case to the clients.
Problem Statement
Coparenting app turned evidence collection targets client spouse communications.
Initially, FamilyDocket asked Springbox to help them develop a strategy for a best-in-class co-parenting portal for divorced parents who need to schedule and communicate responsibilities while keeping the children out of the middle. The existing market was remarkably lacking in well-designed and well-maintained offerings.
Following the initial workshop, discovery, and feature prioritization, Duncan and the Springbox team persuaded FamilyDocket’s founders to direct their efforts at a different audience (the lawyers) and focus on text message collection as the differentiating feature.
As UX designer during the early stages of the project, Duncan was instrumental in realizing the need for change and making the case to the clients.
Workshop feature prioritization
Example of competitive brand audit deliverable
Users & Audience
Young lawyers are looking for digital tools that make their jobs easier.
FamilyDocket’s MVP is focused on divorce attorneys who want to leverage digital solutions for collecting evidence from their clients with a particular focus on capturing SMS communications. Duncan lead persona research and development via potential user interviews with divorcees and attorneys. While research findings indicated desire for FamlyDocket’s features across the board, interest was especially high with 30-40 year-old lawyers.
One example of a persona breakdown
Roles and Responsibilities
A Product Designer from start to finish.
In phase one Duncan lead a junior designer as they conducted competitive, brand, and heuristic audits; created user flows, wireframes, and prototypes; and developed a prioritized list of features for MVP.
In phase three Duncan worked closely with a UX designer and the development team to design and build FamilyDocket’s Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
App map for lawyer users
User flow for artifact (evidence) upload
Scope & Constraints
Agile app development in an agency setting with fixed budget and timeline demand scrappy, proactive teamwork.
On Springbox’s first application development project the entire team had to make up the rules as the project unfolded under a fixed timeline and a set budget. The client was new to the app development process and Agile methodologies, so extra care was taken to keep them informed and in-the-loop. Also, no other app previously included the key differentiating feature, so it was important to work through problems methodically, communicate clearly, and take proactive initiative.
FamilyDocket UI Pattern Library
Process
Designing the product from concept to MVP launch.
Duncan lead a junior designer through preliminary discovery as they: conducted competitive brand and heuristic audits; prepared for and participated in the feature discovery and prioritization workshop; and developed the app’s brand foundation with mood boards, typeface selection, and color palette definition.
Then, post-workshop, Duncan and the junior designer wrote user stories, separated them into epics, created user flows for key features, and conducted user interviews to better understand the audience’s pain points.
Finally, in the production stage of the project, Duncan created the UI Design Library, designed mobile and desktop application feature pages, and prepared digital assets for developer handoff.
Whiteboarding user flows
Outcomes & Lessons
The FamilyDocket MVP launched on time in December 2017.
In the course of creating FamilyDocket’s MVP, Duncan learned a lot about: the communication required to successfully launch a product MVP; working Agile in an agency:product founder relationship; product feature definition and prioritization; and collaborating on design systems.
In the future, Duncan will always remember the importance of direct communication with stakeholders, and the challenges of working Agile in an agency:client relationship with fixed budgets and timelines.
As the MVP launched, FamilyDocket’s founders were very happy with the product’s design and functionality. They were, however, frustrated with the Agile process. We all learned a lot we can take forward into future projects.
Attorney dashboard design for FamilyDocket
Mobile design for FamilyDocket's Task List
