Summary

I was the product manager for a nation-wide Hackathon hosted by Rice University in the fall of 2022. Worked remotely with students from UC San Diego, USC and Cornell in a three day sprint to create a product which addresses aspects of mental health.

Background

This product explores the area of mental health, specifically neurodivergence. We created an application that encourages habitual organized thinking through the use of different matrix methods and prioritizing efficiency in note creations. Our design helps process and rationalize emotions, clear the mind, and keep records from the past.

The main problem we wanted to solve was to reduce overthinking and overstimulation when users have thoughts throughout the day. We proposed an intuitive app that not only allows for quick note taking but also an organization system that utilizes different matrices. Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or lifelong learner, this app will be your trusted partner for capturing insights, collaborating with others, and turning thoughts into action.

Role

In this project, most of the activities I participated in are related to product management however still filling in the gaps anywhere. Here are some of the activities:

  • Market Research
  • Market Research
  • Internal Analysis
  • Differentiated Value
  • Determining product features
  • Product Design
  • Product Vision
  • User interviews
  • Usability Testing
  • Product Roadmap

    • Product Vision

    We have a vision for a note taking app that is intuitive yet powerful, helpful yet delightful to use. Our goal is to create an app that simplifies the process of capturing and organizing ideas, while still unleashing people's creativity. The image below represents our vision and way of thinking for creating a note taking experience that is flexible enough for any workflow.

    Jot-VB


    Product RoadMap

    Creating a roadmap for a 3-day hackathon is unconventional and requires adapting a typical project schedule. I aimed to break it down into 8-hour sprints to keep the team focused while still moving fast.

    Jot-RoadMap

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    This roadmap provides milestones to work towards each day to build something meaningful in the limited time frame. The unstructured nature of hackathons means flexibility is key, so the roadmap needs to be insightful rather than overly prescriptive.

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    Initial Prototype

    This was an iterative process that allowed us to start broadly, get user feedback, and make focused changes to converge on simple, intuitive designs that met key needs within a tight timeline. We aimed for insights and pivots over polish, while still producing specifications and assets that could be developed further.

    Check out the inital design

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    Lo-Fi


    User Testing Insights

  • Removing the scoring system for notes. Users found it unnecessary and distracting. We simplified the note detail page accordingly.

  • Removing the collection feature to aggregate all notes in one place. Users preferred to categorize notes themselves based on topics that mattered to them. We added a topics page where users could add notes and organize them as needed

    • Final Prototype

    Many users also struggled with the cluttered and messy layout, wanting clearer separation of content and a more minimal, uncluttered feel. We have reorganized and restructured the content, using white space generously to provide clearer delineation. We removed distractions and focused the layout on the most important information and tasks. The result is a cleaner, more minimal design that is easier to navigate.‍



    Jot-Hi-fi

    Takeaways

  • Working in a fast-paced, high-stress environment where tight deadlines matter has been invaluable experience. I have learned how to adapt quickly to changing priorities, communicate clearly and concisely, and make quick decisions with limited information

  • The hackathon environment forced me out of my comfort zone, and I rose to the challenges and thrived. I can take the lessons I learned around agility, adaptability, and resilience and apply them to any high-pressure project or situation. I have a newfound confidence in my ability to lead teams through ambiguity and steer projects to success against the odds.

  • Navigating the dynamics of forming new teams and working with people I had not collaborated with before helped me strengthen my ability to build rapport, motivate diverse groups, and facilitate productive collaboration at speed. I gained insights into different working styles, technical skills, and problem-solving approaches that will benefit me in future projects.


    • Overall, participating in this hackathon as a project manager was a crash course in skills that are invaluable but often only developed through experience. I will carry the insights and instincts I gained with me into all of my future projects and roles. The hackathon format provided the perfect opportunity to strengthen and sharpen my project management abilities in a safe space. I feel profoundly more capable and prepared as a result.