The Art of Side Project Management

Leo

Welcome back to the podcast, everyone! I'm Leo, and today we're diving into something really exciting—the design of a side project management app created by an independent developer. In a world where AI products are popping up everywhere, it’s refreshing to see a focus on traditional product design processes. We're lucky to have Jessica with us, who has worked extensively on this project. Jessica, glad to have you here!

Jessica

Thanks for having me, Leo! It's great to be here and talk about the journey behind creating a side project management app. There's so much that goes into it, especially when you want to stand out in a crowded market.

Leo

Absolutely! So, let's get into it. I know user-centered design is a big part of your approach. Can you share how you identified the needs of your users during the design process?

Jessica

Definitely. We kicked things off with user research, conducting surveys and interviews to really dig into people's experiences managing their side projects. We found that many users struggled with time management and prioritizing tasks. This feedback helped us shape our design principles around solving these pain points effectively.

Leo

That sounds really thorough! I love how you're putting users first. And data-driven decision-making is also a key element in your development, right?

Jessica

Exactly! Once the app was in use, we began collecting data on user interactions, which features were popular, and where users were dropping off. This insight was invaluable for iterating on our design and understanding what users truly wanted from the app.

Leo

That's a powerful approach. Now, when it comes to your app's features, could you elaborate on the core modules you've designed, like task management and time tracking?

Jessica

Of course! We designed several core modules. For task management, we implemented a Kanban board, which makes it easy for users to visualize their tasks and progress. The time tracking feature allows users to log hours spent on tasks, generating reports that help them analyze their productivity.

Leo

That’s fantastic! A lot of users would appreciate that level of functionality. And how do you feel about the interface design? It must be crucial for user engagement.

Jessica

Absolutely, interface design is so important. We aimed for a clean and modern look, using intuitive icons and a consistent color scheme to make navigation simple. Responsiveness was key too, ensuring that the app works well on various devices.

Leo

That’s a lot of thought put into the user experience! Speaking of which, how do you see your app competing with established players like Notion?

Jessica

Great question! We focus specifically on the niche market of side project management, unlike Notion, which is a broader tool. By honing in on this specific user base, we can offer targeted features that cater directly to their needs, like income tracking and dedicated time management tools.

Leo

That’s a smart strategy. It’s all about creating a unique value proposition. And in a fast-paced environment where new tools emerge constantly, traditional design thinking still holds relevance, right?

Jessica

Exactly! The principles of user research, prototyping, and iterative testing remain crucial. They ensure that we not only build something functional but also something that users genuinely appreciate and want to use.

Leo

It’s refreshing to hear that! Many forget the value of those foundational principles amidst all the hype around AI. So, what’s next on your agenda for the app?

Jessica

We’re looking into adding more analytics features to give users better insights into their productivity trends. Plus, we want to incorporate user feedback to continually adapt and enhance the app.

Leo

Sounds like you’re on the right track! Adapting to user feedback is vital for growth. With all these exciting developments, I can’t wait to see how your app evolves.

Jessica

Thanks, Leo! We’re really excited too. It’s all about building a community around the app and ensuring it meets the needs of our users.