unblock.
Overcoming Workplace Procrastination
CONTEXT
Major Project as a part of MA UX and Service Design Course
ROLE
Solo Project
UX/UI & Digital Service Designer
TOOLS
Miro, Figma, Optimal Workshop, Dovetail
PROJECT DURATION
February - August 2024
PROBLEM
Workplace procrastination among remote workers impacts both careers and businesses, costing companies thousands annually.
Remote work has transformed the way we operate, but it also fosters an environment where procrastination can thrive, creating a vicious cycle of stress, delay, and avoidance. Yet, effective solutions remain scarce.
SERVICE SOLUTION
The key to overcoming procrastination lies in two things: understanding your behavior and staying accountable. Unblock empowers users to do both.
DESIGN PROCESS
To deeply understand the root causes and develop a meaningful solution, I followed the Double Diamond framework.
PROBLEM SPACE RESEARCH
I used primary research to explore deeper motivations behind procrastination and capture snapshots of emotional states and productivity throughout the day.
By prompting users with storytelling techniques, I encouraged them to share their daily struggles, revealing procrastination effect on work efficiency and role of workplace culture in procrastination. Methods like card sorting and diary studies provided valuable insights into daily priorities and barriers.
DATA ANALYSIS
Through thematic analysis and affinity diagramming, I gained a more nuanced understanding of procrastination behaviours.
Here, data became a window into users' worlds. Using the COM-B model revealed critical gaps in users' capability, opportunity, and motivation, helping me step into their shoes and truly empathise with their struggles.
KEY INSIGHTS
Procrastinators face inner resistance, often due to a lack of self-regulation and understanding of their own behaviour.
The deeper I analysed the data, the clearer I began to see patterns in user motivations:
TARGET USER
Hybrid workers face unique challenges with procrastination, particularly due to remote work dynamics.
By reframing insights into task and experience goals, I uncovered significant pain points and user needs, giving a clearer, empathetic view of the challenges faced by young professionals.
DESIGN VISION
Based on tese insights, I developed a UX Vision and set of design principles to guide the solution stage.
SOLUTION SPACE
An iterative process, driven by user feedback, shaped every step of the solution.
Over five key iterations, I continuously refined the concept based on feedback from 12 participants, ensuring it continuously aligned with user needs.
SECONDARY RESEARCH
Cognitive tools and archetypes helped me tailor the solution to diverse procrastination triggers.
My research reinforced how Cognitive Behavioural Tools can reduce procrastination by connecting thoughts and feelings. Integrating procrastination archetypes into the process, allowed users to connect with their own unique procrastination triggers, which I found to be missing in existing competitor solutions
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT & CO-DESIGN
Ideation and Co-Design Session with psychology expert helped shifting focus to a more supportive solution.
I formulated How Might We questions to define opportunities, and used methods like Crazy 8s and Negative Brainstorming to explore diverse ideas. After selecting the final concept and prioritising key features, I integrated data and AI, and developed a contextual scenario.
PROTOTYPING
Storyboarding and ad prototyping revealed the need for personalisation and a shift to focus on individual users.
Addressing concerns about unwanted competition among colleagues, I ensured the solution catered more effectively to individual needs, rather than team-based rivalry.
Paper prototyping highlighted need of refining user flow and enhancing control features.
Based on the feedback, I developed an assumption-based journey map to identify and prioritise the riskiest assumptions. Although I created a flow and sitemap, some questions still required further prototyping to clarify.
Lo-Fi prototyping and Collaborative Work Session validated the core assumption of positive impact of accountability partners on boosting productivity.
After testing a lo-fi Figma prototype, we shared goals, and worked independently for 25 minutes. Users noted that "seeing me work kept them focused."
Hi-fi prototyping ensured intuitive app flow and user satisfaction
Final usability testing on daily check-ins and tool navigation confirmed that simple changes to content and UI could reduce cognitive load, delivering a more satisfying user experience.
ITERATIONS
Major changes in my design
Each iteration led to tangible improvements based on real user feedback, honing Unblock’s design to be a true reflection of users’ needs.
SERVICE DESIGN DETAIL
Aligning values, partners, and ecosystem for seamless service delivery.
I used the Value Proposition Canvas, Stakeholder Map, and Service Blueprint to ensure the service aligned with user needs and key partners. This helped me map out the ecosystem and ensure smooth delivery, from app development to mental health support, with a B2B2C model aimed for social impact, creating a network that extended beyond the app itself.
Unblock operates within a digital ecosystem linking marketing, business clients, IT services, and mental health professionals.
FINAL SOLUTION
Seeing the service in action through Alex's experience in a video
Meet Alex, a remote worker juggling a challenging project. Like many others, Alex often finds himself scrolling through TikTok to avoid difficult tasks.
Check out the Figma prototype to explore the experience firsthand!
CONCLUSION + LESSONS LEARNED
What I learned from the project
Prototyping early fosters creativity. I learned the value of testing ideas sooner to uncover potential improvements faster.
Stakeholder involvement strengthens design. Involving mental health experts earlier would have provided deeper insights. Moving forward, I’ll actively seek expert feedback in future projects.
Interdisciplinary collaboration broadens perspectives. Working across different fields like business and psychology deepened my understanding of how they all come together in design. I’m now more confident in approaching projects with a more holistic mindset.
Balancing strategy with user needs is essential. This project taught me to integrate user-centric design with a broader service strategy effectively.
See the project slide deck here!
