Penn State Go: Dining & Deals
Background:
In my capstone course, I collaborated with two other members to enhance the personalized experience of an existing Penn State Application. Our objective was to address the pain-points faced by the average Penn State student while using Penn State Go. Through our research, we discovered that one of the major concerns was the lack of convenient access to meal plans, payment options, and budgeting tools on the app. We were allotted 10 weeks to ideate, conduct research studies, interview stakeholders, design, perform user testing, and develop plans for our proposed additions. While adhering to Penn State Go style guidelines and mission.
Our ultimate aim was to present our recommendations to the Penn State Go staff and devise a practical implementation plan.
View Demo
Our Problem Description:
Difficulty with viewing anything with related to Penn State Dining
Often when students enter college they struggle to manage their dining dollars, specifically with either over-consumption or under-consumption of their dollars
Research:
Study 1: User-Survey Overview - Using Qualtrics
Participants:
10 Penn State Sophomores (All 5 dorm/dining sections)
Q1: What feature do you use the most on Penn State Go?
Results: Dining - 8, Buses - 1, Other
Q2: How would you describe the state of your dining dollars after your first semester as a 1st-year student?
Results: 50/50 average ran out or at a huge overage
Analysis:
Students underuse Penn State Go because it lacks relevant features
Students need assistance with managing their dining dollars
Study 2: Stakeholder Interview - Discussed with the Lead Developer of Penn State Go
Participants:
Ryan Seilhamer: Penn State Go Product Owner - Mobile & Web
Q: Why are student’s LionCash and meal point balance not available in one dining section?
Business Services has not yet agreed to integrate Lion Cash into Penn State Go
Important Overall Feedback:
“The idea of removing as many taps as possible was most desired”
Convenience of use is integral to user satisfaction
Analysis:
Need to prioritize ease of use, convenience, and familiarity
Design Objective:
Create an add-on application to Penn State Go that provides balance status, dining hall events, and budgeting lessons. This will provide students need a system to manage their dining dollars that is accessible and promotes lasting budgeting skills.
Achieve Four Scenario’s Completed -
View Meal Plan Info
View LionCash Info
Add Deals to Wallet
Set Budget
Our group developed other features but these four were are main goals and objectives that we gather feedback for our research study & user-testing.