Merge branch 'main' into bug/default-image

documentation/design/Post-MVP Ecosystem Design Thinking.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Post-MVP Ecosystem Design Thinking
 
-To iterate on our MVP goals and designs, we focused on items in our prioritization matrix that held high user value. We did not have sufficient capacity in our initial sprint to build these concepts, hence we drafted the following guiding thoughts and wireframes.
+To iterate on our MVP goals and designs, we focused on items in our [**prioritization matrix**](https://github.com/coforma/swift-tech-challenge/blob/main/documentation/design/prioritization%20matrix.pdf) that held high user value. We did not have sufficient capacity in our initial sprint to build these concepts, hence we drafted the following guiding thoughts and wireframes.
 
 ## Enable users to shortlist colleges and track applications 
 
@@ -34,4 +34,4 @@ Students first in their family to go to college face additional obstacles in att
 ![Screenshots of early design thinking around a college cost estimator](https://github.com/coforma/swift-tech-challenge/assets/122126772/332d235e-9e4c-41ac-8fdf-95f69e0f32bc)
 
 
-3. **Providing educational content on applying and financing**: Students who do not have an accurate mental model of how college and financial aid works may need extra content to help them build that mental model, and thus be better equipped to successfully enroll and graduate from an affordable college. We explored the creation of [static content UPDATE LINK!!](link) about applying to and paying for college using chat GPT, and verified the information with an internal subject matter expert. It would be interesting to explore the best way to surface and present this information in user research.
+3. **Providing educational content on applying and financing**: Students who do not have an accurate mental model of how college and financial aid works may need extra content to help them build that mental model, and thus be better equipped to successfully enroll and graduate from an affordable college. We explored the creation of [**static content**](https://github.com/coforma/swift-tech-challenge/blob/main/documentation/design/static_content.md) about applying to and paying for college using chat GPT, and verified the information with an internal subject matter expert. It would be interesting to explore the best way to surface and present this information in user research.

documentation/research/researchplan.md

@@ -1,29 +1,26 @@
 ## RESEARCH PLAN
 
-### Design Research Goals
+### Research Goals
 
 We will conduct design research activities with first-time prospective college students aged 15-25 to understand their needs, desires, and mental models related to finding and applying to college. We are looking to learn:
 
-
-
-* How prospective students think about the college application process:
-    * What they anticipate the experience will be like, and how it works (aka, the mental model)
-    * What pain points they forsee for themselves or peers
-    * What their need, goals, and fears are
-    * Other tools they use to accomplish college-related tasks
-    * What motivates and demotivates them related to applying to college - functionally, emotionally and socially
-* How effective our MVP is at helping students meet their needs related to:
-    * Finding colleges that might be a good fit
-    * Applying for those colleges
-* How students would rate and prioritize post-MVP features like saving colleges, tracking applications, and the college/financial aid quiz.
+* Understand how prospective students think about the college application process:
+   * What are their needs, goals, and fears?
+   * What do they anticipate the experience might be like, how it works, and what they might do? (Understanding their mental model and approach)
+   * What pain points do they foresee for themselves and people around them?
+   * What tools do they use to accomplish college-related tasks?
+   * What motivates and demotivates them related to applying to college - functionally, emotionally and socially?
+* Understand effectivity of our MVP at helping students meet their needs related to:
+   * Finding colleges that might be a good fit
+   * Applying for those colleges
+* Understand how students would rate and prioritize post-MVP features like saving colleges, tracking applications, and the college/financial aid quiz.
+   * Learn more about what we might have missed
 
 
 ### Methodology
 
 We propose 60-minute, 1:1 interviews with students. They could follow this general format:
 
-
-
 * Part 1: Open ended questions 
 * Part 2: Usability testing session 
 * Part 3: Concept testing session
@@ -35,18 +32,25 @@ A **concept testing session** involves collecting users’ thoughts and attitude
 
 ### Outcome
 
-Our learnings will inform content and visual enhancements along with metrics  to the measure effectivity, ensuring that we are building for the right mental model, and help us build out a roadmap for the product’s future.
+Our learnings will:
+* Inform content and visual enhancements along with metrics  to measure effectivity, ensuring that we are building the right features for our users. 
+* Help prioritize and plan out a roadmap for the product’s future.
 
 
-### Recruitment Approach
 
-Since we’re focusing on first-time college applicants, our primary source of students would likely be highschools or programs for high-school aged students (like community-based organizations, college prep programs, etc). We would prioritize speaking with students from underserved communities, or those who may need more support overcoming systemic obstacles to college.
+### Recruitment Approach
 
-We might also invite a few adults from advocacy organization that could help us understand the landscape of college applications and financial aid.
+Since we’re focusing on first-time college applicants, our primary source of students would likely be highschools and programs for high-school aged students (like community-based organizations, college prep programs, etc). We would prioritize speaking with students from underserved communities, or those who may need more support overcoming systemic obstacles to college.
 
+Other personas of interest:
+* Advocacy organizations that could help us understand the landscape of college applications and financial aid.
+* People in an applicant’s support system (family, peers etc)
+* College administrators who manage application cycles and information
+
 Our recruitment methods would be determined in collaboration with DoE stakeholders.
 
 
+
 ### Next steps