Project
001
ShiftMate @RIT
A comprehensive mobile app to unify & optimize part-time job management for RIT students
At Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), part-time student workers relied on the Humanity app to manage their shift schedules. However, this app lacked a systematic structure and the cumbersome interface made it challenging for students to effectively manage their work hours. My team and I recognized the potential for improvement and decided to redesign the Humanity app. Our goal was to create a user-centric and efficient mobile application that simplifies shift management for RIT's part-time student workers.
Info
002
Role
Product Designer &
Researcher
Timeline
13 weeks
Tools
Figma
Notion
Team
4 product designers
Overview
003
Problem
How can we improve the shift scheduling experience for part-time student workers at RIT, making it easier to manage their work hours alongside academic commitments?
Outcome
We designed and developed a prototype for Spectra HoloVisio, a futuristic holographic interior design tool, over an 13 - week period. You can view the prototype and learn more about the project here
Uncovering Issues
004
User research —
findings & insights
Given the quick turn around, we conducted an interviews study with 8 people. Most of these individuals are graduate students doing part time job at RIT. Here are the results:
75%
of interviewed students struggle with payroll and hour tracking in the current system.
Students face challenges managing their work and pay at RIT due to fragmented data. This includes difficulty checking salary details on the Oracle portal, inaccurate hour tracking, and a lack of easy access to payroll information, leading to confusion and inefficiency.
87.5%
of interviewed students experience issues with shift change requests and management.
Students can't release a shift to a specific person without trading shifts. The process of requesting changes is often cumbersome, with some students resorting to sending messages in group chats instead of using the app's built-in features.
72%
of students expressed a need for improved shift reminders and notifications.
While some found the existing notifications helpful, others pointed out limitations such as the inability to respond to notifications directly from the notification panel. Students expressed a desire for more customizable and actionable notifications to help them better manage their work schedules.
Data Modeling
005
Data Modeling - persona
& affinity diagram
To systematically analyze user feedback and prioritize key issues, we utilized affinity diagram and persona in our design process. This method was instrumental in identifying critical pain points and guiding our decisions for feature inclusion in the redesigned RIT ShiftMate app, ensuring our solutions directly addressed the most pressing user needs.
Ideation
006
Low fidelity -
ideas and flows
The team ideated over potential solutions and user flows. We used sketches to solidify ideas and draw out how we wanted the interactions to work.
Wireframes
007
Usability Testing - findings & iterations
We conducted thorough usability testing on the existing Humanity app and leveraged user interview feedback to redesign the interface and enhance the overall user experience of RIT ShiftMate.
Before
All incoming shifts were listed in a single, unstructured view, making it difficult for students to distinguish between immediate and future work commitments.
After
Implemented distinct sections for today's shifts and upcoming shifts, allowing students to easily prioritize their current work while maintaining visibility of future schedules.
Before
The app only displayed work shifts, forcing students to cross-reference with separate class schedule apps, leading to potential conflicts.
After
Integrated both class and work schedules into a single calendar view, providing students with a comprehensive overview of their daily commitments and simplifying shift planning.
Before
Open shifts were scattered across the home page without context, causing confusion about available opportunities.
After
Relocated open shifts to the shift manager page and added sorting and filtering capabilities, enabling students to efficiently find and claim shifts that fit their schedules.
Before
The notification settings were cluttered and offered limited personalization for shift reminders.
After
Redesigned with a default notification option and added customizable reminders, allowing students to tailor alerts to their individual needs and preferences.
New Features
008
Features - new & revamped
While we incorporated features from the old application based on user interviews and usability testing, certain issues remained that could only be addressed by adding new functionalities. To further enhance the user experience, we developed the following features:
Swap Shift
The improved ShiftMate app offers a simplified and user-friendly shift-swapping feature. The interface makes sure that every detail is visible by providing a clear visual comparison between the shift you have chosen and the shift your colleague has suggested. An easy-to-find "Request Swap" button makes communication quick and easy. Your colleague is notified as soon as the request is made, and they can easily accept or reject it by sending a direct message through the app.
Digital Meal Pass
The current paper-based meal pass system is prone to errors like incorrect dates or outdated passes being used.. We propose a digital solution: upon shift completion, the app automatically generates a meal pass based on recorded work hours, eliminating errors and streamlining the process.
Payroll Page
The existing system lacked a payroll page, forcing users to navigate to a separate website for wage information. We integrated payroll functionality directly into the app, eliminating the need for users to switch between platforms.
Final Design
009
Final interactive experience
By integrating streamlined shift swapping, digital meal passes, and other essential features, the team has transformed RIT's Humanity app into the comprehensive RIT ShiftMate, a one-stop solution for student workers seeking a more efficient and user-friendly experience.