Overview
This project highlighted my ability to provide strategic UX leadership in complex situations, transforming unclear research into actionable product strategy while building team capabilities for sensitive user population design.
Scope: iOS app for severe depression management and goal-setting
Timeline: Strategic repositioning phase followed by iterative development
Tools: Competitive analysis frameworks, value proposition mapping, Kano Model, user flow development
Constraints: Sensitive user population requirements, team coordination challenges, strategic clarity needs
The Challenge
Our client wanted to create an app for patients suffering with severe depression. While extensive research had been conducted, it lacked clear strategy and direction, drawing very few actionable conclusions for product development.
The Problem
- Unfocused Research: Existing research lacked strategic direction and clear value proposition
- Missing Project Leadership: No dedicated Project Manager to align team processes and timeline
- Complex User Needs: Severely depressed users required additional motivation and guidance beyond typical goal-setting apps
- Competitive Landscape Gap: No existing apps offered the specialized motivational support needed for this user population
My Approach
Discovery: Strategic Reformulation Through Competitive Analysis
I led comprehensive competitive analysis of goal-setting apps using SMART methodology framework, revealing that existing solutions were either too simple or overly complex for severely depressed users. Through collaborative workshops, I established three guiding principles: Smart, Simple, and Motivational, forming the foundation for our unique value proposition.
Key findings revealed 5 critical needs:
- Strategic product focus replacing scattered research insights
- SMART goal methodology adapted for depression management
- Motivational feedback loops providing ongoing encouragement
- Simple interaction design avoiding cognitive overload
- Clear team process enabling collaborative development
Strategy: User-Centric Value Proposition with Collaborative Leadership
The strategy centered on helping severely depressed people regain control through guided goal-setting and motivational assistance, while establishing clear team processes and timeline.
Product Strategy Development
- Organized team value proposition comparison sessions
- Translated value propositions into innovative UX solutions
- Created user-centric feature prioritization using Kano Model
- Developed Bang vs. Buck analysis for emotional impact assessment
UX Research & Design Foundation
- Led user-centric creative work sessions
- Created design principles and user-system feedback methodology
- Developed mental mapping, content mapping, and scenario mapping
- Established task flows and user flows with thumbnail patterns
Project Leadership & Team Coordination
- Assumed Project Manager role aligning team on process and timeline
- Guided collaborative timeline and team process establishment
- Created feature roadmap for three iterative releases
- Delivered research and IxD guidance to design team colleague
Key Deliverables
Strategic Product Foundation
Reformulated scattered research into clear value proposition: help severely depressed people regain control with goals and motivational assistance.
Comprehensive UX Framework
Created complete research foundation enabling design team execution.
- Competitive analysis with SMART methodology framework
- Design principles addressing depression-specific needs
- Task flows incorporating motivational feedback loops
- User flows and thumbnail patterns for development guidance
Team Leadership & Process Design
Established collaborative processes enabling successful project completion.
- Timeline and milestone coordination
- Feature prioritization and roadmap development
- Cross-functional team alignment
- Quality deliverable handoff to design colleague
Impact & Results
Quantified Improvements
- Client Satisfaction: Client very happy with outcome and app launch
- Project Expansion: Budget expanded for 2 additional releases based on success
- Team Efficiency: Collaborative process eliminated project stagnation
- Strategic Clarity: Transformed unfocused research into actionable product strategy
- Design Foundation: Colleague successfully utilized research and IxD guidance for final designs
Qualitative Outcomes
- Established sustainable product strategy for mental health app development
- Created reusable framework for depression-focused UX methodology
- Built cross-functional team capabilities for sensitive user population design
- Delivered innovative solution addressing gap in mental health app market
Key Learnings
Strategic Leadership Requires Balancing Innovation with Team Collaboration
Taking on Project Manager responsibilities while leading UX strategy taught me that successful innovation requires both visionary thinking and collaborative execution. The value proposition workshops created team buy-in essential for creative problem-solving.
Mental Health UX Demands Specialized Research and Empathy
Designing for severely depressed users required understanding how depression affects interaction patterns and motivation. The SMART methodology provided structure while the motivational feedback loops addressed emotional needs other goal apps ignored.
Effective Handoffs Multiply Individual Impact
Creating comprehensive research artifacts that enabled my colleague to complete the final designs demonstrated how strategic UX leadership can amplify team capabilities and ensure project success beyond individual contributions.