Improving Google Maps
Describing Google Maps :
Google Maps allows user to go from Point A to Point B efficiently and provides several commute options such as driving, walking, public transport, and even like to ride sharing apps such as Uber and Ola. User also uses Google Maps to search nearby places such as restaurants, gas stations, events, and things to do.
Clarifying Questions :
1. Is the goal to improve the entire platform or a specific feature?
2. What's the objective of improvement? -
engagement, increase in revenue, acquisition. etc.
3. Is the improvement channel specific - Web or Mobile?
Laying out the approach :
1. Starting by understanding who are users (personas) of Google Maps are ?
2. Picking one persona and what their goals or motivations are when using Google Maps.
3. Then identifying pain points (user needs) and suggest new features/ solutions to increase customer satisfaction leading to better customer engagement.
4. Next, prioritizing new features based on cost vs benefit.
5. Lastly summarizing the overall analysis.
Users of Google Maps
1. Private vehicle owners
2. Bikers
3. Commuters using public transport
4. Walkers
5. Tourists
6. People using ride sharing app like Uber, Ola etc...
Picking commuters using Public Transport
Such as train, bus, subways to go from point A to point B. Commuters hate when there is interruption in services that could be because of trains running late, major breakdown, change in train timing and route. People don't like waiting even if the train or bus is late by couple of minutes. Also not all train and bus stations are same when it comes to amenities such as access to elevators, public bathrooms, and information booth. Commuters such as old age people, family traveling with infants, and physically challenged people need these information in advance to plan their trip efficiently.
Above Pain Points Solutions :
1. Personalized real-time notification to commuter when there is interruption in the service (this is especially useful to people commuting daily say from home to office and back).
2. Google knows some very vital information about the commuter like at what time they start from home, from which station they take train, what time they head back home. These information can be used to send real-time train/bus service alert to commuter, so that they can prepare in advance, say may look for alternate route of mode of transportation.
3. Book uber/ ola for commuter, to the nearest alternate train/bus station, so that they can reach their destination on-time.
4. Train/ bus station information catalog showing all amenities and contact information. The catalog should get updated on regular interval,. So that commuter is aware of the change say elevator at station X is going through periodic maintenance.
5. Collaboration platform that will categorize station based on people input on incidents such as number of theft, people fallen on track, people got stuck in between train and platform, or even broken machine. This will make people self-aware and will tell them to ride safe.
Prioritizing the solutions across the user goal and complexity of development :
1. Personalized real-time notification
Impact to User Goal : High : prompt and timely notification about delay or change in service will allow commuter to look for backup plan. They may opt to work remotely on that day. Also providing targeted notification is more valuable to user.
Complexity : Medium : Google maps already capture information like train running late, where the congestion is.
2. Book Ola/Uber for commuter :
Impact to User Goal : Low : not all commuter have same affordability level, they may find Ola/Uber expensive option. Also not everyone has Uber/ Ola account. This may serve just a subset of overall commuter population.
Complexity : Low : Google Maps already shows ride sharing option to user when they search for route.
3. Information catalog :
Impact to User Goal : High : having up to date information about the station will help commuter plan their trip.
Complexity : Medium : easy to develop initially but require ongoing maintenance to make sure that information is up to date and accurate.
4. Train/Bus station rating :
Impact to User Goal : High : getting review from other commuter increases trust.
Complexity : High : will require developing collaborate feature in Google Maps that will allow other commuters to update and provide information such as how many ticket vending machine are working, which machine is not accepting cash, etc.
Conclusion :
Highest Impact for the Lowest Effort are :
1. Personalized real-time notification.
2. Information catalog.
