We began by identifying the core problem

Chefs were struggling with time management due to an inefficient dashboard, making it hard to handle bookings, schedule management, and client interactions.

‍

Key Insights

Client Interviews:

The CEO's vision highlighted the importance of improving chefs' time management, reflecting their workflow in the kitchen where tasks need to be managed simultaneously.

‍

Research:

The competitor and comparator analysis of similar platforms (e.g., Simplybook) helped us pinpoint how features like calendar views, management tools, and notifications could be enhanced to meet our users' needs. It became clear that by providing chefs with a responsive dashboard that allows easy access to booking information and availability is essential to their business success.

Ideas Generated

1. Interactive Calendar: A core feature allowing chefs to manage bookings, days off, and working hours. The calendar would reflect how chefs schedule their kitchen tasks, helping them visualize their workload.

2. Dashboard Optimization: Clear, bold design with intuitive navigation to reduce information overload.

3. Mobile Responsiveness: Knowing that chefs are often on the go, we designed a responsive interface that adapts seamlessly across devices.

4.Consolidated Task Pages: Tasks like booking and profile management were scattered across different pages. We ideated a consolidated view where these could be accessed in one place.

‍

HMW

I also made use of How Might We (HMW) questions to guide our brainstorming, like "How might we make the schedule adjustment process more intuitive for chefs who experience frequent last-minute changes?"

‍

Usability Testing

During usability testing, we observed that users preferred certain tweaks, such as:

1. Bold Text for key dates and booking details

2. Clearer Calendar Labels for easier navigation

3. Larger progress bars to track availability and bookings

‍

These iterations helped us refine the prototype and align it with both user needs and client expectations.

‍

‍

Serving Up a Prototype That Cooks

After sketching multiple concepts, we developed a mid-fidelity prototype that prioritized the most important screens: the Dashboard, Schedule Management, and Calendar. These prototypes were presented to both our mentors and clients for feedback.

‍

Key Features

1. Simplified Dashboard: With an emphasis on time management, chefs could see their upcoming bookings, availability, and working hours at a glance.

2. Flexible Calendar: Integrated scheduling tools that allow chefs to select specific days off, manage bookings, and adjust availability easily.

3. Mobile-First Design: Ensured that all features worked smoothly on mobile devices, considering chefs’ tendency to manage bookings on the go.

‍

‍

Simmering on Lessons Learned

The Chefpost project taught our team valuable lessons about balancing user needs with business goals. Our pivot from focusing on client-side tools to chef-centric tools reflected our ability to adapt to real-time insights during the project.

‍

Key Takeaways:

1. User-Centered Design: The biggest success of this project was our ability to listen to the chefs' pain points and directly translate them into practical solutions. Empathy and constant user feedback were key to our progress.

2. Iterative Process: The design process involved continuous collaboration with both the client and chefs. Weekly check-ins helped ensure that the design met both the technical and practical needs of the users.

3. Importance of Flexibility: Chefs need tools that are as dynamic as their schedules. The ability to adjust bookings, set time off, and manage availability in an intuitive way was a breakthrough in addressing their time management challenges.