Overview

AlterU is a startup hoping to assist struggling veterans transition back into the civilian workforce. Although there are vast number of resources available to veterans (resource guides, FAQs, etc) there is a consensus amongst veterans and the public that the resources are overwhelming and hard to navigate.

During the first video call with the client, my team members and I saw how passionate the client was in assisting veterans pursue new career paths and simplifying the process.

Scope: Evaluate mockups provided by the client, conduct usability tests and create an interactive MVP.

Research Process

Going into this project, I had no idea what struggles veterans faced when assimilating back into civilian life or exactly what resources were available. My Google deep dive helped me learn the challenges for veterans and for their families. Additionally I got a first hand look into how many resources are available, and honestly I was overwhelmed just like the clients said they felt.

Unfortunately I faced multiple obstacles at this point in the project. My team and I had no contact with the client after the initial video call, so we struggled to find a direction within the group since we hadn’t received the mockups. Consequently the work flow was stagnant, and I found myself doing the bulk of the research and sketches.

I organized a meeting with my team and created a timeline and roadmap for us, including assigning roles and tasks to each of them. Our first task was to conduct a competitive analysis to identify what resources are available and what key features are missing from the current mockups. Amongst the large pool of resources available, we looked specifically at 16 competitors such as CareerOneStop, HireVeterans and A Hero’s Journey.

We found four features that should be considered for the next iteration.

1. Focus on just a desktop version for the MVP

2. Consider building a platform for spouses and family members

3. Incorporate a mental health feature

4. Ensure our MVP provides information about benefits

At this point we had a second video call with the client and discussed our findings and thoughts. The clients clarified a few details for us and solidified what our next steps should be.

The client stated they wanted the following for their MVP:

1. Solely focus on veterans

2. Tailor the experience for a IT career path

3. Refine the language and tone

4. Find a way to incorporate courses, job descriptions and industry trends into the portal

Personas 

In addition to what the client wanted the MVP to look like, we also developed four personas that would use the service:

1. Mary Rogers : Active duty service member who wants a smooth transition into civilian life without disrupting her family’s rhythm.

2. SSG. Samuel Jones : A veteran discharged from the military within the last 5 years that needs help filing claims but doesn’t know where to start.

3. Mark Johnson : Disabled veterans who wants to start his next chapter but doesn’t know which resource to use.

4. William Fields : Unemployed veteran discharged more than 5 years ago having trouble finding a job.

Usability Test

After the video call, we got access to the mockups, which were created by different UI designers. Our first task was to decide which screens to use in our next iteration. Afterwards we ran our first usability test, using InVision, to assess the pain points of the client’s mockups. 

Using an affinity map, we narrowed down the key findings:

• The prototype is too wordy

• The website needs more white space

• The website should follow conventions

• Icons were confusing

Design Process

The usability test confirmed what my teammates and I thought: the mockups were visually appealing, but the user flow made no sense. So, we decided to take well received portions of the mockups and threw them together to create a flow that made sense to us. Unfortunately, I cannot share the mentioned mockups, due to the client’s request.

Prototype and Wireframes

While picking and choosing specific components for the mockups, the team created wireframes for a refined experience - identifying areas to modify.

The main changes we made include:

• Treat AlterU’s website as a resource guide rather than a job platform

• Create a separate “How it Works” page

• Developed a more efficient sign up process

• Redesigned the “Jobs” page based on NVF.org and Indeed.com’s layout

• Maximized the layout of the platform by effectively adding whitespace and making it more user friendly

Mid-fidelity Prototype in Figma

Hi-fidelity Prototype in Figma

After making the adjustments, my teammate and I developed the hi-fidelity prototype that focuses on the IT career track. I found related jobs and courses necessary to transition into this field. We also made sure to add interactions so the client can present the MVP to investors.

Takeaways

 Our prototype is far from finished, but we believe we created a solid MVP the client could proudly present to investors. We created a roadmap for the clients for future steps.

We are excited to see the client further develop their product and include other career paths, develop a resume development service and incorporate a mental health aspect in their product.