Navigating Challenges and Embracing Adaptability

A blog post by Gopi Ponnudurai, a Frontier Tech Hub Implementing Partner for the pilot: ‘Pnyx, the digital public assembly: redefining representation’

This post outlines learnings from the fifth sprint of the pilot

Welcome back to our Sprint reflection series, where we dive into the highs and lows of our product development journey. Sprint 5 was a whirlwind of activity, filled with challenges and triumphs that tested our team's mettle. In this blog post, join us as we recount the story of Sprint 5, highlighting our successes, lessons learned, and the path forward towards our goals.

Experiment 1: Bringing Data to Life

Experiment 1 was all about bringing our vision to life by populating Member of Parliament (MP) profile pages with actual data. We achieved this by scraping publicly available data. This method allowed us to gather accurate and up-to-date information, ensuring that our prototype was built on a foundation of reliable data.

We encountered a few challenges with front-end development of the platform, which halted progress on the data scraping. We needed to return to the drawing board to define in more detail the features that would be desired by both users, the politicians and the voters and conducted a number of workshops (bringing in stakeholders where necessary) to finalise our shortlist of features. Specifically, based on the feedback received, we made adjustments to the user interface and redefined what components will be valuable for users when we launch MVP. This iterative approach ensured that our prototype evolved in alignment with stakeholder expectations, ultimately setting the stage for a more impactful product. In the next sprint we will be confirming testing the scraping of all data that is required by the final list of features.

Experiment 2: Crafting an Immersive User Experience

In Experiment 2, we set out to optimize our design for desktop and web viewing, aiming to create a seamless user experience. To achieve this, we made several key changes to the design based on feedback received during the workshops. These changes included prioritizing the design for key product features, refining the layout, simplifying navigation, and improving visual elements to enhance user interaction and satisfaction.

Indeed, the design process is ongoing, and while significant progress was made during Sprint 5, further refinements and iterations are planned for Sprint 6. We acknowledge that completing the design is an iterative process that requires continuous refinement based on user feedback and evolving project requirements.

Experiment 3: Engaging stakeholders for feedback on the prototype design

Experiment 3 presented us with a valuable lesson in adaptability and prioritization. While we initially planned to engage with external stakeholders, we realized the importance of a fully functional prototype before proceeding. This decision to pivot was a strategic one and was made to prioritize quality and ensure that we deliver a fully functional and polished product. While this deviation from the plan presented a setback, it also taught us valuable lessons in project management and stakeholder engagement. Moving forward, we will focus on ensuring that prototypes are thoroughly developed before engaging with external stakeholders, mitigating potential challenges and ensuring smoother progress in future sprints.

Conclusion

As we reflect on Sprint 5, it's essential to acknowledge the critical role of adaptability and stakeholder engagement in driving project success. Our experience in Experiment 1 highlighted the importance of leveraging publicly available data and incorporating stakeholder feedback to refine our design. In Experiment 2, we learned the value of iterative design refinement and collaborative effort in achieving project milestones. While Experiment 3 presented challenges, it also underscored the importance of prioritizing quality and ensuring that prototypes meet stakeholder expectations before presentation. Looking ahead for Sprint 6,, we will continue to prioritize learning and collaboration to develop our prototype to a stage where we can show our stakeholders and tangible product and gather user feedback. 

If you’d like to dig in further…

🚀 Learn about the challenges and idea behind the pilot

📝 Read learnings from the pilot’s first sprint

📝 Read about the pilot’s second sprint

📝 Check out the pilot’s third sprint

📝 Understand the learnings from the fourth sprint