NurseGrid Case Study

NurseGrid

Adding a feature that allows users to compare schedules with multiple colleagues at the same time.

Challenge

Currently, NurseGrid allows nurses to compare their schedule with one other colleague at a time. Nurses are unable to compare multiple colleague schedules simultaneously, which is inefficient when trying to make plans or switch shifts.

Solution

Seamlessly integrate a new multi-compare feature to the existing NurseGrid App.

UX Researcher
UX/UI Designer

2 weeks
(80 hours)

Figma
Maze.co
Whimsical

Empathize

To better understand the current market and needs of NurseGrid users, I utilized two research methods: competitive analysis and user interviews.

Research goal: To develop an understanding of the current user experience of NurseGrid and identify any pain points or frustrations.

Competitive Analysis

I started by analyzing competitors to see what strengths, weakness and the similar capabilities were. With this analysis, I found that NurseGrid is a very unique app and there are no direct competitors currently out in the market.

It’s clear that this app is unique and an important tool for the nurses who use it.

User Interviews and Findings

Now that I had a better understanding of the current market, I wanted to better understand the current users of NurseGrid.
I conducted interviews with participants about their experience with app. All participants were between the ages of 25 and 35. After I conducted the interviews, I then utilized an affinity map to better synthesis the information that was gathered.

Through analyzing the information that was collected, I was able to validate that there’s a need for a multi-compare tool.

100%

4 of the 4 participants are devoted users of the app. They have used the app at least 3 times a week for the past 5-7 years.

100%

4 of the 4 participants use the current compare tool.

100%

4 of the 4 participants stated that they would benefit from a new multi-compare feature.

Define

User Persona

After developing a deeper understanding of the users’ needs and goals, I was able to form user persona based on the insights that were gained through my discovery research.

Meet Ashton!

Sitemap

Based on the data that was collected, I brainstormed, compiled and organized the current features and new feature into a sitemap.

Task and User Flows

I created task flows and user flows to explore various paths the users could take when they engage with the new multi-compare feature.

Ideate

Wireframes

After defining the user tasks and flows, I began designing low-fidelity wireframes.

UI Kit

Before developing the high-fidelity wireframes, I created a design system to ensure that every screen is visually consistent. This UI Kit follows NurseGrid’s current design system.

Prototype

Final UI

Once the brand style and UI library was created, I turned the low fidelity wireframes into a high-fidelity prototype.

Familiar navigation to the new feature

To aide in findability, the new feature is found on the Colleague Page, just like the old single compare feature.

Add up to 5 other colleagues

Users will select the colleagues they want to compare their schedules with.

New multi-compare feature

Users can now compare their schedule with up to 5 other colleagues at the same time.

Edit Colleagues

When in the comparison mode, if users decide they no longer need to view a colleague’s schedule, they can easily remove the colleague from the view to clean up the comparison.

Test

Usability testing

After the high-fidelity prototype was finalized, I wrote a usability test guide. I then recruited participants who are current users of NurseGrid.

Research goal: To develop an understanding of the current user experience of NurseGrid and identify any pain points or frustrations.

100%

5/5 participants were able to complete both tasks

4.8/5

Users rated Task 1 at the 4.8 difficulty level (1 being difficult and 5 being easy)

4.4/5

Users rated Task 2 at the 4.4 difficulty level (1 being difficult and 5 being easy)

‍

It was useful because this app currently doesn't have this feature. I typically can only check on one other colleague's schedule to compare.

Insights

All 5 participants were able to complete both tasks. The average time spent on screens was 6.3s for task 1 and 2.7s for task 2. These rated at the perfect amount of time each user should spend on each screen through the Maze.co reports. For task 1, 4/5 users completed the task through the direct path and 1 user completed the task through an indirect path.

Iteration Opportunities

After conducting the usability testing, there were no major pain points or frustrations that surfaced. However, there is an opportunity to clarify the colors that each colleague will be randomly given when selected for comparison. One participant said that they were confused about who’s schedule they were looking at, until they used the drop down menu for more details. Then they were able to better understand the initials on each pill. I think that this frustration might not be as relevant when users are choosing colleagues they are familiar. However, this is an opportunity for me to better clarify this portion of the process.

‍

I was confused by the key (who was which color) until I found it later and saw their initials. But honestly it was quite easy once I figured it out.

Priority Revisions

Using the information gathered through usability testing, I made revisions to the NurseGrid feature and created a final prototype

Clarified notification vs button

I changed the color of the remove colleague notification to better clarify where the user will be confirming the removal. This notification was previously the same color as the confirmation button. But after collaborating with stakeholders, I chose to change the color to better guide the users when they engage with this process.

Colleague selection colors

I changed the selection colors to match the colors of the pill component that users will see once they enter the comparison view. This will help clairfy each colleague’s schedule.

Future Considerations

calendar integration

Through my initial research, there was one insight that really stuck out to me: integrating NurseGrid with existing calendar apps such as Google Calendar or iCalendar. Since NurseGrid is solely used amongst nurses to share schedules and swap shifts, participants need to add their shifts to two calendars every 6 weeks when they receive their new schedule. This would be a great opportunity to help users streamline their process and allow the shifts that they input to NurseGrid seamlessly be added to their Google Calendars or iCalendars.

Creating efficient task flows

Now that I was able to integrate a new multi-compare feature, I’d look into creating more efficient user flows. Currently, each task that is done on the app is completed separately. If users wanted to compare shifts then swap with a colleague, they would need to use then exit the compare feature before engaging with the swap shifts feature. I would like to explore combining these task flows into one in order to streamline the process of swapping shifts.

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