Main Ingredient
A mobile app for small business bakeries.
Duration: May - June, 2023
Platform: Mobile
Design tool: Figma
Institution: Coursera - Grow with Google
Role: UX Designer from conception to delivery.
Overview
The Main Ingredient app was developed to address a clear demand for real-time sales monitoring within the bakery industry. This app provides small bakery businesses with a tool to access and analyze sales data, helping them maintain a competitive edge. Through thorough industry research, the app’s features were tailored to meet common pain points of bakery owners, focusing on efficiency and usability.
Challenge
Independent bakery owners often face daily challenges due to a lack of efficient tools for recording and tracking sales data in real-time. This gap impacts their ability to make informed decisions quickly.
Project Vision
The vision for Main Ingredient was to create an accessible, free-to-download mobile app that allows bakery owners to seamlessly store and track sales data from any mobile device. The app was designed to provide intuitive, on-the-go insights that enhance decision-making and improve operational efficiency.
Understanding the user
User research
To identify the key challenges in monitoring bakery sales, interviews were conducted with bakery owners and operators. The focus was to understand what metrics are monitored—including liabilities, losses, expenses, profits, time management, data entry, inventory upkeep, and shelf life management.
Participants were divided into two groups:
Group A: Primarily focused on streamlining operations and optimizing pricing.
Group B: Primarily focused on efficiently tracking all sales data.
Research findings revealed that both groups faced similar frustrations in managing their bakeries. Common challenges included the time-intensive nature of current processes and the lack of reliable tools for accurate sales monitoring, hindering effective time management.
Research Objectives
Identify Pain Points: Understand the specific challenges bakery owners face in tracking sales, managing inventory, and calculating expenses to inform the app’s feature set.
Evaluate Current Processes: Analyze existing methods (such as spreadsheets or manual entry) to pinpoint inefficiencies and opportunities for streamlined, digital solutions.
Define Key Metrics for Monitoring: Determine the essential metrics (e.g., liabilities, expenses, profits, inventory levels) that bakery owners need to track regularly to manage their business effectively.
Assess User Preferences for Efficiency: Gather insights on user preferences for tracking sales and inventory that would simplify data entry, reduce time spent on administrative tasks, and improve overall time management.
Explore Desired Features: Identify features bakery owners value in a mobile app, such as real-time data updates, inventory tracking, and simplified pricing adjustments, to ensure the app aligns with their needs and business goals.
Pain points
Unreliable Software: Operators lack dependable software to track sales, manage documents, and monitor inventory effectively.
Time Constraints: Significant time is spent calculating payments and applying special pricing, reducing operational efficiency.
Data Input Challenges: Many users rely on spreadsheets for recording sales, which can be cumbersome and prone to errors.
Provisional Persona
Problem statement: Zareen is a Pastry Chef who needs a way to predict sales and monitor real-time material usage to streamline her restocking process. The current method of manually recording orders and reviewing daily sales is time-consuming, leading to anxiety and mental exhaustion as she tries to stay on top of inventory needs.
User Journey map
Zareen’s user journey gave insight for users with similar needs on how to curate an app to use as a tool to have a improved daily workflow.
Unmoderated studies showed…
Competitive analysis
I looked at four potential competitors both direct and indirect, all engaging, informative and user friendly. I observed features and similarities between the competitors:
Direct
Square
Successes: Reporting/ Analytics, Employee management, Labor forecasting, Mobile access, Online time tracking, billing and invoicing.
Drawbacks: Budgeting/ Forecasting, Data import/Export, Document storage, Real Time Data and Reporting.
Box Hero
Successes: Online Storage, Compatible with screen reader technologies, Inventory management, Intuitive, Mobile access.
Drawbacks: Only available in English.
Indirect
Stockroom
Successes: Inventory item filter, Offline function available, Real time analytics/ Reporting, Customizable reports.
Drawbacks: Functionalities can be enhanced, Small glitches.
Took stock
Successes: Reporting and Statistics, Straightforward user flow, Inventory management, Replenishment and Tracking, Mobile access.
Drawbacks: Visual design doesn't always support content intuitively, No offline function.
Starting the design
Paper wireframes
The insights from drafting paper wireframes revealed that essential elements were required to fulfill the user goal of displaying sales while addressing the current pain points and frustrations. It was observed that consolidating necessary tools onto a single screen or reducing the number of screens could minimize user clicks and enhance efficiency.
First Draft
Second draft
Digital wireframes
Goals:
To determine if users can complete navigation within the prototype of the Sales monitoring app.
Determine if the app is difficult to use.
In the initial stages of the app design it was evident that accessibility was the main priority. Navigation from the menu tab would have a drop down to not let the user feel as if they were being redirected to another page.
Takeaway
After testing the low-fidelity prototype, it became evident that users desired a more extensive app exploration experience.
Participants had a difficult time with Item Selection.
Needed back buttons.
Mockups
In earlier iterations, an iPhone 14 template was used but changed to a iPhone 8. I added accent colors, simplified the attributes on each page, increased the typeface and kept the buttons consistent with modern placement. I kept the home screen theme of having quick access toolbars and quick reference for stock review.
After usability study, Users showed frustration with app exploration and not being able to locate a “back button”.
The accent colors were updated.
Refining the design
Key mockups
Accessibility considerations
Provided access to language and currency change in the settings. And a notification alert for users on the main home page.
Used icons to assist in making navigation flows easier.
High fidelity prototype
Takeaway
Positive
- Enhanced Decision-Making:
Real-Time Insights: Access to real-time data allows bakery owners to make informed decisions quickly, optimizing inventory, production, and sales.
Trend Analysis: Historical data can help predict demand and adjust offerings accordingly, reducing waste and maximizing profits.
- Operational Efficiency:
Inventory Management: Monitor ingredient levels in real time to avoid shortages or overstocking, ensuring fresh products and reducing waste.
Production Planning: Data on peak sales times and popular items can help plan production schedules more effectively.
- Financial Tracking:
Cost Control: Identify cost-saving opportunities by analyzing expenditure patterns and areas of inefficiency.
Negative
-Technical Challenges:
Integration Issues: Integrating the app with existing POS systems and other software can be complex and may require additional investment.
Resistance to Change: Some employees might be resistant to adopting new technology, impacting its effective implementation.
Internet Connectivity: The app’s effectiveness depends on stable internet connectivity; issues with connectivity can hamper its functionality.