Redefining Collaboration Through Trust and Feedback
Redefining Collaboration Through Trust and Feedback
Ontime is a trust-first platform that connects young professionals through collaboration, focusing on feedback, skills development, and meaningful relationships.
Ontime is a trust-first platform that connects young professionals through collaboration, focusing on feedback, skills development, and meaningful relationships.
Ontime is a trust-first platform that connects young professionals through collaboration, focusing on feedback, skills development, and meaningful relationships.
120+
120+
Early Adopters
Early Adopters
85%
85%
Positive Beta Feedback
Positive Beta Feedback
MVP
MVP
Rolled out in 3 months
Rolled out in 3 months
Application
Application
Networking
Networking
Gamification
Gamification
2024
2024
How It All Started
It started over coffee. A friend mentioned knowing someone who was struggling with a project. What began as a casual chat quickly turned into a deeper discussion about the frustrations young professionals face.
They’re eager to collaborate, but finding the right opportunities, the right people, and the right platform? Not so simple.
My Role
My Role
Product Designer
Product Designer
Team
Team
Product Designer
Development Team
Project managers
Product Designer
Development Team
Project managers
Timeline
Timeline
12 Weeks
12 Weeks
How It All Started
It started over coffee. A friend mentioned knowing someone who was struggling with a project. What began as a casual chat quickly turned into a deeper discussion about the frustrations young professionals face.
They’re eager to collaborate, but finding the right opportunities, the right people, and the right platform? Not so simple.
It started over coffee. A friend mentioned knowing someone who was struggling with a project. What began as a casual chat quickly turned into a deeper discussion about the frustrations young professionals face.
They’re eager to collaborate, but finding the right opportunities, the right people, and the right platform? Not so simple.
Problem Discovery
Problem Discovery
Problem Discovery
Conversations
Although we had hypotheses in mind, we wanted to ensure we were tackling the right problem. So, we sat down for some candid chats with students and recent grads to hear about their job-hunting struggles and experiences.
Although we had hypotheses in mind, we wanted to ensure we were tackling the right problem. So, we sat down for some candid chats with students and recent grads to hear about their job-hunting struggles and experiences.
Spoiler alert:
Spoiler alert:
it’s not all smooth sailing!
We had candid conversations with students, recent graduates, and small business owners, uncovering their frustrations with existing platforms.
Key takeaways:
We had candid conversations with students, recent graduates, and small business owners, uncovering their frustrations with existing platforms.
Key takeaways:
“I don’t really feel comfortable on platforms like LinkedIn. everyone seems so polished and experienced. I just need a place where I can show my work, connect with others, and hopefully get a project.
“I don’t really feel comfortable on platforms like LinkedIn. everyone seems so polished and experienced. I just need a place where I can show my work, connect with others, and hopefully get a project.
“I’d love to collaborate on university projects, but I don’t want to pay someone every time. What if we could just help each other out and gain experience and teamwork while expanding our network?”
“I’d love to collaborate on university projects, but I don’t want to pay someone every time. What if we could just help each other out and gain experience and teamwork while expanding our network?”
"I can’t commit to hiring full-time employees, but I still need skilled people for short-term projects. Freelancer websites are overwhelming, and I don’t feel like I can trust the profiles."
"I can’t commit to hiring full-time employees, but I still need skilled people for short-term projects. Freelancer websites are overwhelming, and I don’t feel like I can trust the profiles."
The Word on the Web
We analyzed user opinions across Twitter, Reddit, and LinkedIn.
Here’s what stood out:
LinkedIn felt too corporate and rigid.
Freelancers on Reddit craved feedback and clearer trust metrics.
Fiverr users were frustrated by a lack of transparency in navigating the platform.
We analyzed user opinions across Twitter, Reddit, and LinkedIn.
Here’s what stood out:
LinkedIn felt too corporate and rigid.
Freelancers on Reddit craved feedback and clearer trust metrics.
Fiverr users were frustrated by a lack of transparency in navigating the platform.
There Must Be Something Out There
We studied the landscape, focusing on apps like Contra, Peerlist, Unitaskr, Pineapple, Intch, Fiverr, and LinkedIn, dissecting their strengths and shortcomings.
We studied the landscape, focusing on apps like Contra, Peerlist, Unitaskr, Pineapple, Intch, Fiverr, and LinkedIn, dissecting their strengths and shortcomings.
Fiverr: A recurring complaint in reviews was users needing two separate accounts. one to post jobs and another to offer services, which made switching roles cumbersome.
Contra: Users liked the clean design and networking aspect, but many said it felt like a glorified portfolio site without real interactions.
LinkedIn: Too professional and rigid for juniors, it left younger professionals struggling to find opportunities that matched their experience level.
Pineapple: It had a very Gen Z-friendly vibe, with bright visuals and fun interaction elements, but the platform lacked depth and trust-building features for serious projects.
Fiverr: A recurring complaint in reviews was users needing two separate accounts. one to post jobs and another to offer services, which made switching roles cumbersome.
Contra: Users liked the clean design and networking aspect, but many said it felt like a glorified portfolio site without real interactions.
LinkedIn: Too professional and rigid for juniors, it left younger professionals struggling to find opportunities that matched their experience level.
Pineapple: It had a very Gen Z-friendly vibe, with bright visuals and fun interaction elements, but the platform lacked depth and trust-building features for serious projects.
Problem Definition
Problem Definition
Problem Definition
What We Learned so far
Trust is paramount
Trust is paramount
Users need a reliable way to gauge the professionalism and trustworthiness of collaborators.
Users need a reliable way to gauge the professionalism and trustworthiness of collaborators.
Soft skills matter
Soft skills matter
highlighting both hard and soft skills plays an important role in shaping collaborations.
highlighting both hard and soft skills plays an important role in shaping collaborations.
Community & feedback drive motivation
Community & feedback drive motivation
Feedback and community interaction motivate users to stay active and improve.
Feedback and community interaction motivate users to stay active and improve.
Who Are We Helping?
To make sure we understood our target users, we created two personas to guide our design decision.
To make sure we understood our target users, we created two personas to guide our design decision.
Geeky John
Geeky John
A student seeking work projects relevant to his field of study, on a journey to gain experience and establish himself as a go-to guy in the community.
A student seeking work projects relevant to his field of study, on a journey to gain experience and establish himself as a go-to guy in the community.
Limited network and connections
Lack of experience, leading others to be hesitant to trust him.
Needs to build experience while earning some money
Limited network and connections
Lack of experience, leading others to be hesitant to trust him.
Needs to build experience while earning some money
Boss Lady Sara
Boss Lady Sara
Founder of a small business, looking for talent to grow her product and team.
Founder of a small business, looking for talent to grow her product and team.
Difficulty finding a trustworthy expert
High risk in working with new people
Limited time to evaluate and select the right candidates
Difficulty finding a trustworthy expert
High risk in working with new people
Limited time to evaluate and select the right candidates
How Might We...
How might we create an environment where trust is built naturally between collaborators?
How might we create an environment where trust is built naturally between collaborators?
How might we design a system that showcases hard and soft skills effectively?
How might we design a system that showcases hard and soft skills effectively?
How might we leverage community and feedback to keep users engaged?
How might we leverage community and feedback to keep users engaged?
Design Strategy
Design Strategy
Design Strategy
Aaron Walter’s Hierarchy of User Needs
We applied the principles of Aaron Walter’s Hierarchy of User Needs to Ontime, ensuring each layer addressed user needs.
We applied the principles of Aaron Walter’s Hierarchy of User Needs to Ontime, ensuring each layer addressed user needs.
Functional
Functional
Ontime connects people over projects. The core function is quick, easy matching with relevant collaborators based on skills and interest.
Ontime connects people over projects. The core function is quick, easy matching with relevant collaborators based on skills and interest.
Reliable
Reliable
Trust is reinforced through our “Trust Score System”, where collaborators rate each other after projects, ensuring accountability and reliability in future projects.
Trust is reinforced through our “Trust Score System”, where collaborators rate each other after projects, ensuring accountability and reliability in future projects.
Usable
Usable
The platform is designed with simplicity in mind. users need an intuitive experience to keep coming back to the app.
The platform is designed with simplicity in mind. users need an intuitive experience to keep coming back to the app.
Delightful
Delightful
We integrate gamification elements like badges, feedback loops, and social recognition to make the experience rewarding, driving user retention and satisfaction.
We integrate gamification elements like badges, feedback loops, and social recognition to make the experience rewarding, driving user retention and satisfaction.
MVP
MVP
MVP
What Should We Build First?
We started with a lean MVP, focusing on trust and a simple user experience to validate our idea without overloading the platform.
We started with a lean MVP, focusing on trust and a simple user experience to validate our idea without overloading the platform.
Core Features
Project Posting & Collaboration
Project Posting & Collaboration
Posting projects or contributing to others without strict client/freelancer roles.
Posting projects or contributing to others without strict client/freelancer roles.
Clear CTAs
Clear CTAs
Engaging users with clear buttons like "Interested" or "I know someone"
Engaging users with clear buttons like "Interested" or "I know someone"
Trust System
Trust Scores
Trust Scores
rating each other after projects to build trust, shaping future collaborations.
rating each other after projects to build trust, shaping future collaborations.
Profile System
Profile System
Showcasing skills, with peer feedback on both hard and soft skills for better transparency
Showcasing skills, with peer feedback on both hard and soft skills for better transparency
Future Goals
Future releases will introduce advanced collaboration tools, service exchanges, and expanded trust mechanisms to build a fully-rounded experience.
Future releases will introduce advanced collaboration tools, service exchanges, and expanded trust mechanisms to build a fully-rounded experience.
The Structure
The Structure
The Structure
User Flows
We mapped the user journey, ensuring every step felt smooth and intuitive, guiding users toward better collaboration like a well-planned treasure hunt.
We mapped the user journey, ensuring every step felt smooth and intuitive, guiding users toward better collaboration like a well-planned treasure hunt.
Sketching the Blueprint
With the user flows in place, we created wireframes that brought our ideas to life.
With the user flows in place, we created wireframes that brought our ideas to life.
Let's Break It Down
Let's Break It Down
Let's Break It Down
Validating Core Features
We began by designing core functionalities such as Project posting and Collaboration and Clear CTAs.
Initially, we explored a single CTA like "Interested". Through early wireframe testing, we realized that users might want to refer others for collaboration. So, based on this feedback, we introduced a secondary CTA: "I know someone".
We began by designing core functionalities such as Project posting and Collaboration and Clear CTAs.
Initially, we explored a single CTA like "Interested". Through early wireframe testing, we realized that users might want to refer others for collaboration. So, based on this feedback, we introduced a secondary CTA: "I know someone".
Building Trust
In addition to drawing inspiration from systems like Airbnb and Upwork, our Trust Score System focuses on creating a dynamic and transparent way to evaluate collaboration. Rather than relying just on star ratings, we added features like soft skills recognition and personalized badges based on performance for richer feedback.
Feedback from early testers revealed that while star ratings provided a simple overview, many users found the badge system particularly engaging.
In addition to drawing inspiration from systems like Airbnb and Upwork, our Trust Score System focuses on creating a dynamic and transparent way to evaluate collaboration. Rather than relying just on star ratings, we added features like soft skills recognition and personalized badges based on performance for richer feedback.
Feedback from early testers revealed that while star ratings provided a simple overview, many users found the badge system particularly engaging.
To further enhance transparency, user profiles not only display these feedbacks but also showcase both hard and soft skills, making each profile a comprehensive snapshot of someone’s strengths.
To further enhance transparency, user profiles not only display these feedbacks but also showcase both hard and soft skills, making each profile a comprehensive snapshot of someone’s strengths.
After a successful collaboration, we also connect the two users, adding them to each other’s circle. This connection is based on shared work experience, reinforcing network-building as a core element of the platform.
After a successful collaboration, we also connect the two users, adding them to each other’s circle. This connection is based on shared work experience, reinforcing network-building as a core element of the platform.
Gamifying the Experience
We introduced some gamified elements to boost engagement, drawing from the Octalysis framework, which emphasizes ownership as one of the key motivators. To avoid overwhelming users, we integrated badges and achievements tied to meaningful actions like completing projects or providing feedback, rather than trivial milestones.
User surveys and testing helped us refine these badges, ensuring they enhance the experience without detracting from core functionalities.
We introduced some gamified elements to boost engagement, drawing from the Octalysis framework, which emphasizes ownership as one of the key motivators. To avoid overwhelming users, we integrated badges and achievements tied to meaningful actions like completing projects or providing feedback, rather than trivial milestones.
User surveys and testing helped us refine these badges, ensuring they enhance the experience without detracting from core functionalities.
What’s Next for Ontime?
What’s Next for Ontime?
What’s Next for Ontime?
Solving Real Problems
Ontime is designed to address a real gap. By focusing on soft skills and shaping meaningful relationships, we’re empowering users to grow their networks and develop more holistic profiles, going beyond simple project listings.
Ontime is designed to address a real gap. By focusing on soft skills and shaping meaningful relationships, we’re empowering users to grow their networks and develop more holistic profiles, going beyond simple project listings.
Potential Success Metrics
Though we don’t have hard data yet (Still Under development), our KPIs could include:
Higher project completion rates
Increased retention rate
Growth in trust scores and connection circles
Though we don’t have hard data yet (Still Under development), our KPIs could include:
Higher project completion rates
Increased retention rate
Growth in trust scores and connection circles
Future Potential
In the next iterations, we aim to scale the platform by introducing advanced tools for collaboration, expanding our trust systems, and integrating service exchanges. This sets the foundation for continued growth and success.
In the next iterations, we aim to scale the platform by introducing advanced tools for collaboration, expanding our trust systems, and integrating service exchanges. This sets the foundation for continued growth and success.
