The Story | AI Development + User Experience

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a manager in a consulting company that supervised the creation of a fintech startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Story | UX Design + Software development?

The Story has designed for us over 400 screens of application that offers a subscription service. They were also responsible for the design system based on components and developed several dozen user stories resulting from business requirements and user needs.

The scope of work also included the creation of information architecture, UX consulting, user journey mapping, web UI design (RWD). In addition, we entrusted them with work in the field of prototyping and testing. The scope of work was therefore very wide, including competencies from very different areas: Business analysis, UX design, UX research, UI Design.

SOLUTION

How did you select The Story | UX Design + Web Development and what were the deciding factors?

Many factors were decisive, but two of them seem crucial to me. First of all, we have already cooperated. The Story agency has done branding and product design for us. We were satisfied with this cooperation. The second factor was the settlement formula they proposed. Fixed prices suited us very well.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

We wanted to receive an interface and a prototype that would constitute a comprehensive and reliable basis for the programming work to be performed by the web development team. UX/UI Design was a part of The Story's larger task to develop a detailed Software Requirements Specification (SRS).

How many resources from The Story | UX Design + Web Development team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We had the pleasure to work with a business analyst (he was also a scrum master) and a UX designer, UI designer. Also with the UX researcher.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

They created a very detailed prototype of the application for us, which allowed us to carry out tests on users. First of all, it allowed us to check if all our requirements and business goals were taken into account.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The work was carried out in the Scrum methodology and the final effect was achieved after 10 sprints. Everything was within the predetermined budget. I must admit that the work was very smooth and effective.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They had a really great approach to the client and their work. I think they really like to design, research and test. I was impressed by the demonstrative animations they made. They showed very precisely how the given functions should work, how the real product would work.

I remember an animation showing the effect that pressure on a button should have. The interface was also designed with the pleasure with which it should be used in mind.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Nothing comes to mind. Everything was ok. Despite the wide scope of cooperation, we managed to complete the work quickly and precisely.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am an operations coordinator in a consulting company that supervised the creation of a fintech startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Story | UX Design + Software development?

First impressions are important. Ours was very positive. The Story agency was selected by the investor on the basis of a substantive assessment. We hired The Story to conduct product design workshops

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We decided to cooperate relatively quickly. One of the important selection criteria was a managerial, but above all, very substantive approach. Another was to conduct the project also in the formal and legal aspect. The Story was responsible for compiling documentation on all agency work related to the project. I will just add that projects co-financed from EU funds are a big challenge. A substantially prepared and experienced company is simply necessary.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

In detail, we can't, it's too difficult :) But I will answer this less specifically, but very truthfully. If you want the company to manage documents in 3 organizers, to be responsible for the correctness of several hundred pages of documentation, choose The Story.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

During the cooperation, we had the pleasure to work with a business analyst, project manager, CTO / Lead Developer, Product Designer, Cloud Architect. Each of these specialists made a positive impression on us.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The application that meets our and our clients' expectations is certainly a success. Works as expected. Another important issue for us was that The Story took care of the documentation, which is verified by officials of the European Union.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I participated in 3 workshops. Each of them lasted 8 hours. Three weeks later, we received the processing of all data, complete documentation. We didn't have to worry about the result of their work. They knew what they were doing and they did it very efficiently. By the way, they are very nice people with whom you can work without any problems.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

A lot of work is done, the time of completion of the work was impressive, and the quality of service was impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

From the substantive point of view, everything was OK. The downside was the catering;) After 6 hours of workshops everyone wants to eat;) Remember that :)

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a vice-president in a media company and I supervise the creation of a new media platform on the FMCG market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Story | UX Design + Web Development? 

The Story has designed for us a new brand and media platform as an application that offers content available as a subscription service. They were also responsible for the design system based on components and developed several dozen user stories resulting from business requirements and user needs. The scope of work also included the product design consulting, user journey mapping, creation of information architecture, web UI design (RWD).

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

The Story was selected by tender. We were guided by the agency's experience, the presented offer, and the price.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

The agency gathered our business requirements. The Story analyzed the expectations of users and the market segment in which the new platform is to be launched. They presented ideas on how we can become a segment leader and what portal is worth creating. The agency started working on the visual concept of the product, in particular on the management of content on the portal and advertising. The agency took care of the entire interface of the solution.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

At the stage of product design, UX/UI Design we had the pleasure to work with a Lead Designer, and UX/UI designer. Also with the Lead developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

They created a very detailed prototype of the application for us, which allowed us to carry out tests on users. First of all, it allowed us to check if all our requirements and business goals were taken into account.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The work was carried out in the Fixed price model and the final effect was achieved after 4 weeks of work. Everything was within the predetermined budget.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I like paying attention to details. The Story cares about details in design and thinks a few steps ahead.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Nothing comes to mind. Everything was great. The Story continues his work on the product and is responsible for development of the platform.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the managing director of Nacoidamojepieniadze.pl, a web app that presents budgets of Polish cities and municipalities to residents in a clear and engaging way. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Story?

We needed a partner who could help us design and develop a product we could offer to the cities. We sell it as a SaaS solution with a monthly or yearly subscription. 

The project analyses the municipal budget and then showcases it via an interactive presentation. Through unified presentation layout and financial modules, we can help local governments promote their efforts in developing their municipalities. The project is related to public finance law.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to take a fresh look at our product (e.g. if it’s in line with public finance law). We also wanted to increase client retention and the rate of new client acquisition through a better understanding of our clients’ needs. Attractive web design and programming speed were huge factors because the product would be delivered during a time of peak client interest. We also needed to update our financial data analysis process and shorten our service delivery time.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We wanted to take on only one partner for the project. First of all, we needed a vendor with the right competencies (e.g. product design, UX design, and web development). Their specialization in open source Python was an important asset as well. 

The right vendor would implement each of those elements with the entire product development process in mind up until the point of product launch. 

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

First, The Story presented an action plan and introduced all the team members, their roles in the project, and the communication channels we would be using. 

The first stage of the project included the product analysis, an analysis of public finance law compliance, a UX audit, and research into clients’ needs. These audits and analyses allowed us to create objectives for the SaaS redesign. 

During the later stages of the project, we merged product creation with UX/UI design and worked out the key visuals. These visuals served as a basis for further web design. The Story created a detailed specification of IT work before they started coding. That way, we managed to shorten the programming time and remained within the budget.

What was the team composition?

The team was comprised of a project manager, a qualitative researcher, a lean manager, a product designer, a lead designer, a UI designer, a web designer, a lead python programmer, a full stack developer, and an AWS consultant.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

The new version of the SaaS resulted in a large number of new clients. It allowed us to continue cooperating with existing clients into the new financial year. We acquired clients who had shown no interest before and even retained some who were considering canceling their subscription.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Most importantly, we worked as one team. Everything was well ordered, and it was clear what we needed to do to launch the project on time. I knew exactly which decisions had an impact on the time and cost of project implementation. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We communicated and listened to each other, weaving together all our ideas to create a really good product.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There is always something that could use improvement. But we managed to achieve our goal and meet the unreal deadlines we faced. Fixing what the clients of Nacoidamojepieniadze.pl can’t see can wait.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the founder and co-owner of Holc i Wspólnicy, a company dedicated to real estate management and administration.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Story?

We contacted The Story because we wanted to implement an IT system that tallied the votes of homeowner association members online. Voting in a homeowner association is complex, not just because of lack of engagement but also because of ambiguous laws. Until now, there were no user-friendly voting systems. An administrator needed to go door-to-door to collect votes. 

What were your goals for this project?

This new system needed to fully comply with the law, including Supreme Court rulings and EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I wanted to automate the voting process, increase resident engagement, and shorten the amount of time that a property administrator needs to gather votes on a resolution.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I chose The Story on a friend’s recommendation.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

The Story put a lot of effort into their legal and business analyses, which were key to the entire project. They mapped all the processes and activities an administrator goes through while gathering paper votes. After the analysis, when they understood all the issues properly, they started developing the project.

The online voting mechanism was designed to comply with the law so that its votes were considered valid. They paid a lot of attention to the residents and made the voting process as fast as possible. Another important part of our cooperation was their help configuring accounts and importing data. They tested the system on a few homeowner associations before officially launching it. 

What was the team composition?

The team had a business analyst, a lean manager, a UX researcher, a solution architect, a UI designer, programmers, and an AWS consultant.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

They fully computerized and automated the voting process. Because of this clear, easy-to-use system, we shortened the time required to gather votes from eight months to one. Our employees and residents were happy, and their engagement with the voting process increased.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

They achieved all our goals. The team was always eager to help. They answered every phone call and email, so we had no communication problems. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I wasn’t surprised by their professionalism or maturity. They understood issues that other specialists found difficult. Our project manager was an expert in lean management with a passion for the law, which was a deciding factor in their success.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing comes to mind. I was happy to find someone who could successfully finish this project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the managing director of Nacoidamojepieniadze, a web app that presents the budgets of cities and municipalities in a clear, engaging way. We analyze budgets and showcase them through interactive presentations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Story?

We needed a partner that could design and develop an SaaS solution with a monthly or yearly subscription. To increase client retention and acquisition, so we reconsidered whether our product met client demands and aligns with public finance law. 

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to update our financial data analysis process, shorten our time of delivery, and increase sales by better understanding client needs. Attractive web design and fast programming speed were significant goals, especially because the product needed to be delivered at a time of peak interest.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We only wanted to hire one partner, so needed a one with the right competencies: product design, UX design, and web development. They needed to implement each of those elements throughout the entire product development process. Specialization in open-source Python technology was The Story's most important additional asset.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

At the beginning of our cooperation, The Story presented an action plan and introduced all the team members, their roles, and their communication channels. Everything was ordered and clear.

The first stage of the project included a product analysis, an analysis of public finance law compliance, a UX audit, and research into client needs. Then we created objectives. The Story built a detailed specification before they started coding. During the later stages, we merged product creation with UI/UX design and created the key visuals.

What was the team composition?

The team had a project manager, a qualitative researcher, a lean manager, a product designer, a lead designer, a UI designer, a web designer, a lead Python programmer, a full-stack developer, and an AWS consultant.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

The new version brought in a large number of new clients and retained existing customers in the new fiscal year. We acquired clients who had shown no interest before, and even retained some who were thinking about cancelling their subscription.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We worked as one team. I knew exactly which decisions would impact the timeline and cost of project implementation, and exactly what we needed to do to launch the product on time. We shortened the timeline and stayed within budget.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Our teams communicated well and listened to each other, weaving together all our ideas to create a great product.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Considering the unreal deadlines we faced, we managed to accomplish our goal. We can wait to fix what our clients can’t see. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Właściciel of Elektro-Instalacje

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We provide electrical services to private individuals and companies

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Story | AI Development + User Experience to accomplish?

• Increasing the company's visibility on the Internet

SOLUTION

How did you find The Story | AI Development + User Experience?

Referral

Why did you select The Story | AI Development + User Experience over others?

High ratings

How many teammates from The Story | AI Development + User Experience were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Creating a new website, maintaining a high position

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Large number of customers

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Get everything done on schedule

What was your primary form of communication with The Story | AI Development + User Experience?

• In-Person Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The Story | AI Development + User Experience's care for customer satisfaction is impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Story | AI Development + User Experience could have done differently?

No such things

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.
I am the Trade marketing Manager of Pfleiderer
Describe what your company does in a single sentence.
I am a Marketing Team member at Pfleiderer, specializing in wood-based materials production, especially medium-density fibreboard and particle board. Pfleiderer employed around 2000 people at two different plants located in Poland.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Story | UX Design + Custom Development to accomplish?

• design of a digital kiosk interface for sales points

SOLUTION

How did you find The Story | UX Design + Custom Development?
Recommendation
Why did you select The Story | UX Design + Custom Development over others?
Referred to me
How many teammates from The Story | UX Design + Custom Development were assigned to this project?
2-5 Employees
Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.
Within five sprints, The Story Agency provided the digital kiosk interface. The Story team analyzed accessibility of the interface from the point of view of height and distance of working with the touch screen. They gathered requirements and designed the user workflow. The Story optimized the process of customer support by using digital kiosks and brought user experience which enhance our brand, and experience of our customers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
The project is nearing completion. We are very pleased with the results and see a real possibility of pricing the programmatic work.
Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?
The project was delivered on exact time and budget according to the preliminary estimation. Their project management was outstanding.
What was your primary form of communication with The Story | UX Design + Custom Development?
Virtual Meeting
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
Impressive look and feel, technology driven design, cooperation reliability.
Are there any areas for improvement or something The Story | UX Design + Custom Development could have done differently?
None.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.
I am the Deputy Director of Polish Chamber of Commerce

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.
Polish Chamber of Commerce is an independent, non-profit business organization, which represents the interests of Polish entrepreneurs. PCC supports and promotes SMEs interests through business network and governmental institutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Story | UX Design + Custom Development to accomplish?

• 1) redesign the website of the Chamber and the Arbitration Court
• 2) apply user-centric approach to business requirements
• 3) gather business requirements and design user flow

SOLUTION

How did you find The Story | UX Design + Custom Development?
Clutch Site

Why did you select The Story | UX Design + Custom Development over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from The Story | UX Design + Custom Development were assigned to this project?
2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.
Our website has high visibility and attracts thousands visitors. Within five sprints, The Story Agency delivered the new key visual of the website and designed almost 60 templates according to RWD requirements (smartphone, tablet, desktop). The Story team analyzed traffic, and new thematic areas. The new design enhance the brand of our organization and builds our image among economic experts.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
The results of the work were prepared by The Story agency to meet production requirements. We received everything at Zeplin.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?
The Story works according to the Scrum framework. We had breaks between sprints that gave us time to make decisions and consult internally.

What was your primary form of communication with The Story | UX Design + Custom Development?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
Great sense of our brand and our needs. The new design highlights our expertise and the seriousness of our organization.

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Story | UX Design + Custom Development could have done differently?
None

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of an educational events company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Organizing Educational Events

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Story | UX Design + Custom Development to accomplish?

• Turning Idea into a real Design
• Create a visually outstanding presentation about the idea

SOLUTION

How did you find The Story | UX Design + Custom Development?

Returning Customer

Why did you select The Story | UX Design + Custom Development over others?

• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Previous Experience with The Story

How many teammates from The Story | UX Design + Custom Development were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

• The Story made our product idea visible. 
• Visual design of the Presentation
• Market Analysis

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Weekly Project reports 
• Weekly Timesheets 
• Virtual Meetings 
• End product in form of Idea Presentation

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Their project management was outstanding. We knew all the time where we stand with the project and open ends were always communicated at the end of the week. The Story made our part very easy.

What was your primary form of communication with The Story | UX Design + Custom Development?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The willingness to really listen and understand the idea & related challenges and then turn the idea into a visual design. Smooth & effective with a great taste.

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Story | UX Design + Custom Development could have done differently?

With this project no improvements needed