The Problem
Small startups were facing a challenge: they didn’t have the resources to manage their projects with the complexity of project management tools designed for larger companies. Many of these startups were manually updating spreadsheets. This time-consuming task fell to leadership, who were already overwhelmed.
Entrepreneurs instead wanted an easy-to-use tool that could give them insight into their project planning. A tool that would inform them whether they were underestimating timelines, or if company objectives were not aligned with developer tasks. They also needed something that would help them iterate on their roadmaps without starting from scratch each time. Rory was built to be the project management tool designed specifically for their stage of growth.
Entrepreneurs instead wanted an easy-to-use tool that could give them insight into their project planning. A tool that would inform them whether they were underestimating timelines, or if company objectives were not aligned with developer tasks. They also needed something that would help them iterate on their roadmaps without starting from scratch each time. Rory was built to be the project management tool designed specifically for their stage of growth.
The Role
As the sole product designer, I was responsible for every aspect of the user experience. I collaborated closely with the CEO and CTO to fuse business needs and technical feasibility. The CEO and I jointly conducted user research throughout the process to learn what was plaguing entrepreneurs and test our designs.
Designing The Solution
Research
User interviews were our starting point. They revealed that entrepreneurs were not yet comfortable with project management software geared towards larger companies, but their existing method of manually updating spreadsheets proved overwhelming. They also expressed a desire for more insight into how their roadmap and progress stacked up compared to other companies of similar maturity.
Ideation
The ideation phase included several rounds of brainstorming and feedback, where we generated various concepts for how to integrate AI into the project management process. When coming up with lo-fi concepts, we quickly realized that a flexible interface and integrated AI tooling were key for bringing the expertise that a dedicated Project Manager would usually offer at a larger company.
One idea from an earlier business model was an earlier concept primarily focused around event planning. Similar thinking led us to the B2B tool we've discussed thus far
Prototyping
My initial concept embraced the idea most startups are familiar with: a kanban board. With sticky notes as an analogy for transferring concepts between the AI Project Manager and the collaborative, spatially-organized whiteboard. One idea that added to the analogy was the little unobtrusive dots that pop up near concepts that the AI would like to "point" to. Similar to raising a hand in a meeting, this provides opportunities for suggesting insights without disrupting the user's focus.
Testing and Iteration
User testing revealed that entrepreneurs were constantly communicating and ideating with their teams across several platforms. This meant that the tool needed to remain informed about the latest developments within the company in order to provide relevant, up-to-date insights.
Regular discussions with the CEO and CTO ensured that the designs could be executed practically. This collaboration was crucial in making sure the AI features were both useful and technically feasible.
Business Impact
While I didn't have access to post-launch data, the goal of the tool was to help small founders reduce their time spent doing data entry in spreadsheets. We automated basic project management tasks, and provided actionable insights. The tool improved efficiency and reduced time spent on roadmapping and updating data, giving users more time to spend in their area of expertise.
What I'd Do Differently
If I were to revisit this project, I'd focus more on giving users subtle prompt suggestions more often during onboarding to guide them as they build out their project. I'd also integrate more of the "infinite canvas" concept, and possibly more features that users know and love from their spreadsheet software.