From your mind to a prototype, no code required
When a vehicle is leased or repossessed, the responsible financial entity must expedite its sale to mitigate potential losses. Our stakeholders recognized an opportunity to enhance outcomes through the synergistic utilization of technology and data analytics.
By optimizing the sale of these vehicles at their highest value, you have the potential to minimize client losses and establish a network of suppliers poised to reap the benefits. This strategic approach has the capacity to instigate a transformative shift within the industry.
For an extended period, this concept has lingered within the contemplation of our stakeholders. Despite its apparent simplicity, the transition from their existing procedures to a fully operational platform necessitated collaboration with a proficient technical partner, a role expertly fulfilled by Build.
What was our challenge?
In order to transform the stakeholder's vision into a prototype suitable for presentation to potential clients and investors, it was imperative for us to gain a profound understanding of their objectives. We needed to immerse ourselves in a complex industry to craft a proposal that would resonate seamlessly with their needs. From this, our goal was to develop a prototype that encapsulated their vision in under a month.
How did we solve it?
1. Discovery workshop
a. We dedicated four days to thoroughly comprehending the business and the stakeholder's concept. Additionally, our team seized the opportunity to visit an auto auction, a pivotal step in gaining firsthand insight into the industry's current dynamics from the perspective of its key stakeholders.
b. Throughout the working sessions, we meticulously delineated all relevant stakeholders, identifying them as both potential partners and clients for the platform. Furthermore, we deliberated on the specific actions they would undertake at each stage of the process.
c. Ultimately, we aimed to establish agreements by mapping out a Most Valuable Product (MVP). This process guided our selection of foundational elements that would define the platform's roadmap, emphasizing the prioritization of key features and anticipating future iterations.
2. Structure
a. Our team created mapping exercises to synthesize the information and main insights gathered from the workshop through UX tools such as service blueprints and information architecture. This helped us create a backbone for the platform, considering the most relevant features and content for potential users.
3. Branding
a. Despite the client's existing logo and predefined color scheme for the platform, our team delivered a UI visual design that seamlessly aligned with their expectations.
4. Prototype
a. In the weeks following the workshop, we crafted a prototype addressing the core use cases of the platform, leveraging genuine stakeholder-provided data for its development.
Solution
We opted for Figma to create the prototype, recognizing its status as the premier platform for visual prototyping in the market. This choice effectively conveyed the envisioned user experience for the platform's two primary stakeholders:
1. Clients: Remarketers that need to sell the collateral for the best price
2. Retailers: Owners of the marketplaces where the vehicles will be sold
We focused on prioritizing the most pertinent flows to effectively demonstrate the concept’s value proposition. Through these selected pathways, users gained insight into how all features synergistically contribute to streamlined vehicle inventory management within a unified platform.
The stakeholders employed this prototype during engagements with investors and clients, leveraging it as a strategic tool to foster engagement and gather feedback. This iterative approach enabled the refinement of their initial prototype without immediate investment in coding.
Pros and cons of a prototype
Who do we recommend this approach to?
If expeditiously materializing your concept for presentation to prospective clients and investors is your goal
If you want to validate an idea before moving to code
If establishing a comprehensive vision is imperative for enhancing estimations of future implementation costs
