Background
The Toolforge modernization initiative aims to streamline and simplify the workflows of current and prospective users by providing them with an interface that makes essential functionality more accessible.
In order to further validate this opportunity and inform its scope, we’ll rely on lean research techniques to understand the problems affecting the different Toolforge user groups during their tooling set up and maintenance processes. As well as to detect opportunities from competitors.
We’ll draw on collaborative exercises to assess and prioritize the key areas of improvement of Toolforge’s workflows, based on our findings. Research insights will inform the creation of a prioritized list of features that will later guide the conceptualization of a first prototype of Toolforge’s UI.
Goals
Primary Goal
- Identify key areas for improvement in the current workflows of Toolforge users, to inform the scoping and conceptualization of a UI for Toolforge
Secondary Goals
- Validate the value proposition of Toolforge modernization with current and potential users
- Create working definitions of the different Toolforge user groups to ensure that their diverse goals and needs are addressed, along with their specific pain points.
Methodology
The discovery process is divided into two primary phases:
- Lean Research:
1.1. Conduct stakeholder and user interviews to understand current pain points, goals, and non-negotiable functionalities for Toolforge users.
1.2. Perform desk research using relevant documentation and feedback from past surveys, chat logs, and meeting notes.
1.3. Analyze competitors (Heroku, Vercel, Netlify) to identify features and solutions that could inspire opportunities
- Opportunity Assessment and Solution Scoping:
2.1. Hold collaborative sessions with the Toolforge team to generate and assess opportunities based on research findings.
2.2. Prioritize issues per user profile and shape them into user stories.
Document and communicate findings to the community, followed by planning further phases such as design, testing, and implementation.
Resources
- Detailed discovery plan with links to the raw data sources and alignment workboards
Acceptance criteria
- We complete stakeholder and user interviews
- Competitor analysis is completed and documented
- Key issues and opportunities are documented, shared and assessed with help from stakeholders
- Features to address opportunities and pain points are documented in a prioritized list