This past week, we searched for products currently on the market that are similar in idea to ours. We found a few apps and websites that are comparable to our vision, some providing the full picture from edge to edge, while others are only relevant for a part of the planning and execution process.
We analyzed the different features each app provided and summed them all up into a spreadsheet. Looking at the existing features, along with features and concepts that we want to include in our end product, we decided to place all the competitors on a scale of practicality and social involvement. We calculated the percentages of each aspect in relation to each available solution, and found that none of the apps or websites fell into the high practicality and high social involvement quarter simultaneously. Finally, we created a graph to help visualize our findings.
In addition, we completed a 4-step flow chart that helped us boil down the process we’d like our app to run through. We started off by listing all the smaller steps in the process and then merged different steps together to reach our 4 main steps. Each one included the user’s action, systems computation and system’s feedback to the users. In doing this, we created a better image of the process in our heads and were able to focus on the key stages we will create.
While going through these processes, we realized that there is a lot of competition and we wanted to make sure that we stand out amongst the options. Using the competitor analysis that we calculated to create our visual graph, we realized that there were a few things that can help us be different from the others. We decided that our speciality will consist of 2 key features, and one general idea.
First of all, our app would have built in lists for each type of event. This is a feature that came up as extremely relevant in our interviews a few weeks ago but we noticed that it is not usually featured in competing apps.
Secondly, we find that visualization of the process changes the user's experience and physical event in a positive manner. While some competitors offer progress bars and charts that show the percentage of tasks that have been completed or delegated, we could not find an app that shows the tasks that have not been done or assigned to a specific person yet. For example, a group holding a picnic could show that 95% of tasks have been assigned and completed but they wouldn;t notice that the missing piece is the silverware and cutlery. The user would see a small percentage on a progress bar, but if it was presented as a missing piece to the puzzle that is the picnic, it would be easier to notice that the plates are missing.
Lastly, we would like our app to offer end-to-end assistance in the process. We would accompany the group from the moment of inception of the idea, through the planning and to the event itself. Most of the competitors offered assistance for specific parts of the process. Some for preliminary planning, some geared more towards lists and delegation but no leading competitors offered full support throughout the entire operation.
Our last mission for this week was creating a coherent and meaningful pitch that solidifies our ideas and presents them in a manner that is clear and concise. We are set to pitch to 4 mentors during our upcoming class in a speed-mentoring event and want our pitch to be waterproof. We made sure to emphasize the problem and pain we are trying to solve as well as making sure that our specialties and points of difference from the competitors are clear. We hope this comes across as expected and are waiting to hear the input and criticism from the mentors.
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