Project Analysis
The project in question comes with a solution to an existing challenge of communication between taxi operators and their clients. There is an enormous gap in the transport industry. The fact that cabs are rare in small towns while those in need of taxi services are many has to lead to such a scenario. An application has been developed to ease the accessibility and communication between taxi operators and clients. The passengers and cab drivers thereby save time and costs incurred by both sides.
Design
Design denotes the combination of using technology and human beings in performing a given task or come up with a product. The project in question uses an application to perform certain functions. Drivers and passengers use this application to locate each other.
Development
Development involves two or more people performing some particular task. Projectization is also practiced in the development of such a project. Projectization, in this context, is defined as the extent to which participants (drivers and passengers) see themselves as independent from the project but are an integral part of the project.
Product Use and Testing
Product use and testing involve the operating conditions participating in this project. An alpha test has to be done; in this case, the project viability is tested in-house. The project is tested within the contextual environment without involving and driver or passenger. After an alpha test, a beta test is then done, beta test now takes into consideration the drivers and passengers in the town. Market analysis is then done, also known as market assessment.
At this stage, the market is dissected to see if there is any chance for the particular project to be successful. This application is being brought amidst the availability of other existing projects. Meaning much has to be done regarding this project for it to illustrate an epitome of innovation and elude copyright infringements. Customers will also be attracted to the application in case it undergoes suitable differentiation.
There are problems that could be encountered during the implementation of this project. They include the distance between passengers and drivers. Such a problem could lead to time wastage. Also, passengers may face security problems, and finally, drivers may refuse to take passengers to some places either due to traffic congestion as well as security concerns. While designing the application, it is of utmost necessity to consider issues of; cost location tracking system, ID card versions, Emergency/ fast service, and finally, contact info (Mian, p. 105).
The testing process is stress-free since this application is user-friendly, cost-efficient, time-saving, and strives to stay ahead of the competition.
The group to be contacted is the consumers who find it hard to get cabs and lack their personal vehicles. It, therefore, implies that they become inconvenienced while traveling. The mode of communication between the drivers and the passengers is through the internet that can be operated with Android and IOS users. The degree of control of this project is very minimal, meaning this project can run smoothly and can run for an extended period. This project is a monadic product; it is one product project.
Overview of design and development
The design process is a combination of many factors. A variety of innovative ideas is incorporated to make it a success, thereby enabling it to compete with the existing application offering similar services. This application applies the principle rules of universal design. The universal design includes; accessibility (smartphone users are averaged to be 55%. This proportion implies that the percentage of phone operating systems that can download this application and use it conveniently is considerably large.
The use of this application is secure. Contact information can be traced quickly, and cabs can be tracked towards their destinations. The application is reliable. Once a driver has been contacted, he has the responsibility to ensure that the passenger has been taken to the intended destination conveniently. It involves moderate physical effort. It is an application used on smartphones to make communication accessible, meaning there is a little physical effort required. There is a digital co-location, meaning a driver can locate a passenger from a range of ten miles from where they are. This application intends to collaborate with companies such as Google Inc., AT & T, Visa, and Taxi companies to provide maps to be used in this project.
Process Types
In the development process, the matrix method is employed. The matrix method is a case where two people are involved in achieving an individual project. The project model is a type of high projectization. Team people are project people first, then functional people follow. In this project, the application brings drivers and passengers together. The state of the art technical expertise used in this project gives it an upper edge.
There are three technical supports in this application that are; RTLS (real-time locating), Instant messaging (IM), and Network account transfer. An additional merit of the application is the ability to be installed on Android and IOS systems. There are both free and premium versions. There are Bluetooth-enabled properties, meaning drivers can drive while efficiently operating the application. The innovation development process states that the first concept is an idea generation that involves coming up with the application and related facilities (Mian, p. 105).
The second process involves the development of the product, initiating the commencement of the products project, and creating it. In this context, it is the innovation of an application that is unique and is totally differentiated from other related applications. There is competition in this industry with the existence of other applications in the market, such as Uber, Easy Taxi, and My Taxi.
The project management process is a chain existing from the top point to the lowest rank. There are managers who own the idea. These managers are the owners of the project, and they come up with the ideas for designing the application. Sponsors are the second in the chain. This application is designed in two varieties; free and premium versions. The free version is designed to attract sponsorship while the premium version is to earn revenue. The users are the last in the chain as the application involves the drivers and passengers. The application connects them in undertaking trade as it creates a link between the two parties (Mian, p. 105).
Result of Testing
The evaluation of customer satisfaction can be done by measuring the application’s attributes. This evaluation is accomplished by obtaining feedback from both drivers and clients. Taxi application can also be introduced purposefully to get the satisfaction of taxi drivers. This process should repeatedly be done to ensure quality. The maps can also give information on the availability of drivers and passengers.
Works Cited
Mian, M. A. Project Economics And Decision Analysis. Tulsa, Okla.: PennWell Corp., 2011. Print.
Squire, Lyn, and Der T. H. G. Van. Economic Analysis of Projects. Oxford: Oxford University Press, n.d. Print.