Jamie Paradis
Jamie Paradis

Gem Finder

discover the treasures around you

Gem Finder is a digital platform developed in a Cornell project management course to help students discover authentic local experiences in upstate New York despite time and location constraints. The project involved creating a functional prototype while applying key project management principles like planning, task delegation, and risk mitigation, fostering teamwork and strategic execution.

Role
TIME
TEAM
UX Designer, UX Researcher, Project Manager
August - December 2024
Sandy Xia, Abbie Goldstein, Justin Cheung, Shirley Yuan, Tami Weng
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Case Study: Gem Finder

Problem Statement

Cornell University undergraduate students face challenges in discovering authentic experiences in upstate New York due to limited time, geographic constraints, and a lack of information on local hidden gems. These unique destinations are often shared through word of mouth and lack an online presence, leaving students to revisit well-known locations or stay on campus, missing opportunities to engage with the broader community.

Mission Statement

To empower Cornell students with diverse, local options for short trips and activities in upstate New York, even during the busy academic year. By doing so, we aim to create more memorable experiences while fostering stronger connections between students and the local community.

Social Impact

Gem Finder seeks to strengthen the relationship between students and local businesses while boosting the local economy. The platform encourages community engagement by highlighting small businesses and unique attractions that are often overlooked.

Project Solution

We developed a digital platform to streamline the trip-planning process, tailored to the interests, preferences, and time constraints of Cornell students.

Key Features:

  • Personalized Trip Planning: Recommendations based on user interests, proximity, and available time.
  • Objective Itineraries: Free from ads or sponsorship influence, ensuring unbiased recommendations.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Designed for simplicity and speed.
  • Minimized Travel Time: Optimized suggestions within a reasonable distance from Ithaca.

Project Management Approach

Initiation

We adopted a top-down brainstorming strategy to identify feasible problems to tackle.

Planning

We created a team contract to set communication, responsibilities, and conflict resolution guidelines.
Tools Used:

  1. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): Delegated tasks based on individual strengths.
  2. Gantt Chart: Outlined milestones and deadlines to ensure structured progress.
  3. Team Meetings: Regular check-ins for alignment and accountability.

Monitoring and Control

To stay on track, we conducted weekly progress reviews, monitored milestones, and adjusted the timeline as needed.

Prototype Design

We developed a functional prototype of Gem Finder to bring our vision to life.

Key Prototype Features:

  • Personalized Trip Recommendations: A quiz matches users to hidden gems based on preferences.
  • Interactive Map Interface: Displays nearby destinations and transportation options.
  • Student-Centric Interface: Tailored to the Cornell community for ease of use.

Project Close

Successes:

  • Functional Prototype: Delivered a working prototype that aligned with Cornell students’ needs.
  • Engaged Community: Fostered partnerships with local businesses to ensure relevance and impact.

Challenges:

  • Timeline Management: Faced minor delays and rushed the final stages.
    • Resolution: Regularly update Gantt chart for real-time tracking in future projects.

Risk Analysis

High Probability, High Risk:

  • Competing Platforms: Platforms like Yelp dominate the market with brand recognition and advanced algorithms.
  • Mitigation: Targeted marketing to Cornell students, leveraging flyers, campus partnerships, and student ambassadors.

What We Learned

Effective Communication Drives Success:

Consistent updates and collaboration ensured alignment and efficient problem-solving.

Time Management is Key:

Prioritizing tasks and managing deadlines helped us meet milestones while maintaining quality.

Final Prototype

The culmination of our efforts is a fully functional prototype of the Gem Finder platform. This prototype incorporates all the core features we envisioned, including personalized trip recommendations, an interactive map interface, and unbiased itineraries designed specifically for Cornell students.

This prototype represents the practical application of both our design skills and the project management principles learned throughout the course. It highlights the feasibility of Gem Finder as a real-world solution to enhance the student experience at Cornell University.