Personas Angela Brogsdale Capella University Part A: Persona ✓ Solved

The persona I am creating is Dinethia Robinson. Dinethia is a 20-year-old, who is in her third year of college at Lock Haven University. She is currently pursuing a general bachelor’s degree and lives in off-campus housing with her best friend, Ashley. Dinethia is a frequent humanitarian who spends most of her time doing community activities for children in lower-income neighborhoods.

Dinethia is considered by many to be an introvert. She would prefer to spend her weekends in the apartment rather than out partying. Laid-back and thoughtful, she hopes to become a Social Worker or Child Therapist. Being an only child from a middle-class family, she grew up in a small town in middle Georgia, which fostered her fascination for community service. Dinethia always had an open heart, loves helping others, and follows her own path rather than the popular trends of modern society.

Dinethia rarely loses her temper and conducts thorough research on products or services before making purchases. Her persona fits into the user category, as she is likely to use a website to determine what to order from a restaurant. Dinethia believes that ordering online reduces unnecessary time spent on the phone, and she appreciates the ability to review her order for accuracy before submission.

Task Analysis – Human User Ordering a Meal in a Restaurant

Task Name: Ordering a Meal in a Restaurant

Activity Performed/By Whom: Dinethia

Materials, Tools, or Resources Used in Task:

  • Step 1: Enter restaurant, ask for takeout

  • Step 2: Hostess directs Dinethia to the bar menu

  • Step 3: Bartender greets Dinethia and provides the menu

  • Step 4: Bartender takes Dinethia's order using the POS system

  • Step 5: Send to back of house

  • Step 6: Cook reads/prepares order using kitchen appliances

  • Step 7: Bartender brings food to Dinethia

  • Step 8: Bartender brings Dinethia’s check

  • Step 9: Bartender collects check and payment

  • Step 10: Bartender returns to the table with change or a credit card receipt

  • Step 11: Dinethia drives home with food

Possible Task Flow – Human User Ordering a Meal Using an Online System

Task Name:

Activity Performed/By Whom (Human Role or Online System?): Dinethia

Materials, Tools, or Resources Used in Task:

  • Step 1: Dinethia accesses the website using a computer or phone

  • Step 2: Dinethia accesses the menu

  • Step 3: Dinethia adds items to the cart

  • Step 4: Dinethia checks out/reviews her order

  • Step 5: Makes payment and submits order

  • Step 6: Cook receives, makes, and packs the order

  • Step 7: Dinethia enters the restaurant and provides the order number

  • Step 8: Dinethia waits for server to bring out food

  • Step 9: Server brings Dinethia her food

  • Step 10: Dinethia leaves the restaurant with her food

The biggest factor that separates the two components is less human interaction. This may vary by consumer technology knowledge, as some customers may prefer human interaction over a computer. Furthermore, ordering online reduces potential errors that can occur when a server inputs an order incorrectly. Different personas from varying demographics follow a similar series of events when ordering food.

While this section requested the creation of a different persona, I opted to interview several coworkers ranging from their early 20s to late 50s. This sample group followed the same process as detailed, with variations mainly in the food ordered. This consistency stems from knowing what they wanted to order at the time of placing the order.

Part C: Design Strategies

The human factors to consider for the design of this website include memory and attention. The human brain categorizes memory into two forms: long/short-term memory and working memory. Working memory is unstable, having a limited capacity to store information. If something distracts the user while performing a task, important information may be lost. Users may forget what they ordered or their current total if they become distracted during the ordering process.

Distractions can occur unexpectedly, such as background noise during social gatherings. Such distractions could lead users to restart or even duplicate their orders unwittingly. To address this concern, a portion of the screen will display the current total and a list of items selected for ordering. This section will consistently appear on the right side of the application, remaining visible on every page of the website, allowing users to track their orders and totals.

Paper For Above Instructions

The design and functionality of the online food ordering system must be user-centric, especially considering user personas like Dinethia Robinson. Since Dinethia is tech-savvy but prefers a simple interface, the design should align with her expectations for convenience and clarity. The goal is to make the online ordering experience intuitive and engaging while minimizing the risk of errors.

The task analysis indicates that you need to streamline the process based on the personas involved. The current manual ordering process is lengthy and exposes users to potential distractions. Comparatively, an online system allows for quicker interactions and less cognitive load, with an organized structure guiding users through each step.

To enhance user satisfaction and efficiency in ordering meals, the following design strategies are proposed:

1. Simplifying User Flow

Adjust the task flow to eliminate unnecessary steps. The online ordering process should feature an easily navigable menu, allowing Dinethia to access items quickly. This can include categorizing food items and providing a convenient search bar to reduce the time spent looking for specific dishes.

2. Improving Memory Aids

Reflection of selected items on the ordering screen serves as a crucial memory aid. The design must include a dynamic cart that updates in real-time as items are added, displaying both pricing and total order confirmation to reassure users like Dinethia that they have not made mistakes.

3. Enhancing Mobile Compatibility

Considering the prevalence of mobile device usage, the interface design will incorporate mobile responsiveness, automatically adjusting elements to fit smaller screens without compromising usability. This includes touch-friendly buttons and optimized loading times to maintain convenience for users on the go.

4. User Feedback Mechanism

Integrating feedback options allows users to report issues or suggest improvements, ensuring ongoing optimization based on user experience. This interaction will also strengthen their connection to the service.

5. Minimization of Error Rates

Systems can incorporate confirmation pages that review the order before final submission, which can be critical in preventing duplicate or missed orders. Clear prompts should guide users to double-check their selections, maintaining a smooth process.

The strategies above target various user interactions and account for the cognitive experience as users navigate the online ordering system. Implementing these recommendations can foster a sense of trust, boosting the likelihood of returning customers. By focusing on memory and attention factors, we can significantly enhance the efficiency of Dinethia's online ordering experience, ultimately improving satisfaction rates.

References

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