Conceptualizing the External Rate of Return Prototype Platform

The project aims to conceptualize and develop a prototype platform known as the "External Rate of Return" (ERR), with the primary goal of transforming the measurement and dissemination of the social impact of business activities. By fostering holistic, inclusive, and transparent communication, the ERR platform seeks to facilitate essential analysis and engagement of business activities on a global scale, ultimately contributing to the reduction of incoherence and overlap in current social impact measurement efforts.

Target Audience and Conceptualisation

At the outset of the design process, the team engaged in extensive brainstorming sessions to define the vision and objectives of the ERR platform. This phase involved identifying key stakeholders, understanding their needs and pain points, and establishing the overarching goals for the project. Policymakers, members of the public, academics, auditors, and business leaders form the diverse spectrum of target audiences for the ERR platform. The platform aims to cater to the needs of these stakeholders by providing comprehensive and accessible information on business activities and their social impact.

Task Flow Analysis

Following the conceptualization phase, the team delved into task flow analysis to map out the various user interactions and pathways within the ERR platform. This involved identifying the primary tasks that users would need to accomplish and determining the most intuitive and efficient flow for achieving these tasks.

Understanding User Journeys

With a clear understanding of the user tasks and interactions, the team proceeded to develop journey maps to visualize the end-to-end user experience on the ERR platform. These journey maps outlined the steps users would take to accomplish their goals, highlighting key touchpoints, pain points, and opportunities for improvement.

Mockup Development and Refinements

Armed with insights from task flow analysis and journey mapping, the team began crafting mockups to visualize the user interface and interactive reporting features of the ERR platform. These mockups served as prototypes for the platform, allowing the team to iterate on design concepts, gather feedback from stakeholders, and refine the user experience before moving into development. Throughout the design process, the team adopted an iterative approach, continuously refining and improving the design based on user feedback and usability testing. This iterative cycle of design, feedback, and refinement ensured that the ERR platform evolved in response to user needs and preferences, ultimately delivering a user-centric solution that met the objectives of the project.