MY ROLE

Product Owner / User Researcher / UI Designer

I led the product team of Skywatch between July 2018 and June 2020 and collaborated with the development team.

THE APPROACH

Iterate, iterate, iterate

We focused on BnB owners or managers, who spend lots of time on serving their guests. It started with a series of interviews for a better understanding of the problem this new service was attempting to solve. Followed with a beta launch at the begin of 2019, and we participated in the installation service to observe and collect more information on site.

In the first quarter, system integrators' requirements immediately became the top priority, for it is the gate to the market. We stand with early adopters after the first product launch and gathering feedback from the field when teams are working on system infrastructure. With fast iteration of scrum development and user feedback, we set up a clear quarter mission by prioritizing features value and deliver the most critical updates regularly with limited resources.

THE DISCOVERY

It's all about time saving

We defined the following primary user groups:

• Part-time host: having multiple jobs, including BnB management. In this new service, the goal is to spend as little as possible time on guests. 
• Professional host: hosting several BnBs at different locations. In this new service, the goal is to manage multiple locations as smooth as possible. 
• Business host: spending lots of time in the hostel (cafe) to maximize the value of the space. And the goal of this new service is to extend the business hours. 

The discovery phase was a rapid and fast iterate effort that allowed us to adjust the features, audit the existing work, understand our user's vision. Our research revealed that the concept of 'time-saving' is various among types of users. And as a business service, we should provide values within their existing routine.

‍

‍

THE VISION

Flexible and easy to fit in the routine

Our service can be a promising remote controller for owners who wants to validate the guests. Also, It can be a smart scheduling tool that helps owners organize upcoming appointments more efficiently.

In addition to fulfilling their needs in the tasks, the system also provides flexible options for business expansion.

‍

THE DESIGN & IMPACT

The main screen has been designed to allow users quick access to real-time information and instant control. The size of the control tiles make tapping easier and having space to reveal information such as the number of upcoming schedule codes, the status updated time of door locks.

During rapid iteration, we have observed and gathered user feedback for further modification of exiting features. For example, we found that some of our users will not provide the schedule passcodes for their guests until they arrived. To check if there are 2 people checked in, and the owner needs to unlock the door instantly wherever they are. In this particular use case, we've adjusted our device tile from information display purpose to instant control button.

CamLock has received positive since our first version launch. And Skywatch did expand its user segment from cloud camera user to space rental service owner, who shows more stickiness and active (22.3% DAU/MAU) on our service.