An app that supports people in developing habits through goal/habit identification and reflection.
The Habit Coach
Overview
This was a self initiated project taken from an initial idea to a workable prototype of an app that focused on developing habits in which I acted as the sole UX designer. The idea came from researching a viable topic for my Master thesis, during which I performed an academic literature review on habit development, behaviour change and the effectiveness of apps that claim to promote these. I found the topic personally intriguing and wondered how it would be to create an app that was different from the others on the market - in that it actually helped people develop effective, long term behaviour change.
The process
I began the project in a human centred way by conducting user research through interviews and using the findings to develop a persona and a user journey map. I integrated findings from scientific research I conducted previously, and using this scientific research and the user research, I then defined the specification of the app which outlined the goals and functionalities of the system. From this I created a user flow and identified the interaction and screens required. I created a low fidelity paper prototype which was then used in a user testing to investigate the user acceptance of the app's concept and general flow. I also created a proposed high fidelity design, should the app be developed further in the future.
The challenge
To be the sole UX designer and execute a project from an initial idea to a workable prototype with user research and testing. To integrate findings from user research with scientific research to establish an app concept that addressed the shortcomings of current habit apps on the market. To select and implement appropriate UX methods and work within a short time frame of one week to get from initial concept to a form of prototype.
Scientific research
Useful findings from the scientific research, which informed my proposed design solution, included the following:
About habit development
- Habits can take between 18 - 254 days to develop, with an average of 66 days.
- Habits are developed through the repetition of a behaviour in response to a contextual cue.
- To start a behaviour change (before the behaviour is automatic/a habit) intention, motivation and ability are needed.
- Internal positive reward (e.g. pleasure, satisfaction, enjoyment) can help to develop and maintain habits.
Research on habit apps
The scientific research also showed that most habit development apps don't support successful, long term habit development for the following reasons:
- Many habit development apps cause a dependency on the app - through features such as timed reminders to perform behaviour, self monitoring and gamification (i.e. streaks).
- When the smartphone isn't available, or users stop engaging with the app, they stop the behaviour.
- Very few apps support the creation of a contextual cue which is important for habit development.
- Very few apps include relapse prevention.
Recommendations for habit apps
Researchers (Stawarz et al, 2015; Direito et al, 2014) suggested designers should focus on:
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- Routine creation with contextual cues.
- Post behaviour completion checks.
- Sending reminders of people's behaviour intention in advance of the allotted time (but phase this out with time).
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- Specific goal setting and review of goals.
- Feedback on performance.
- Self monitoring.
- Intention formation.
User research
User interviews
I identified my target user as someone of any age or gender who wishes to develop good habits and who is willing to consciously work on these. I performed 4 interviews with users that fit this profile, in order to gain a deeper awareness of their thoughts and behaviour.
Key insights
- Interviewees wanted very much to build good habits and found this very difficult to do.
- All have struggled many times in the past to develop a habit (often the same habit again).
- Most habit goals were related to health and fitness and losing weight. Some were related to other life areas (e.g. studying, productivity, doing housework).
- People wanted these habits as they believed the habits would be good for them long term.
- A big issue was maintaining focus and motivation when the behaviour is not yet automatic, and there are distractions.
- Being constantly aware of one's goal and initial motivation helps in the early stage.
- Breaking a habit down into smaller, achievable steps is more manageable and motivating.
Persona
From the user interviews I developed a persona which demonstrated the target user for the app. An understanding of the user's behaviour, goals and pain points enabled me to concentrate on possible solutions that address their needs.
User journey map
I found it necessary to develop a user journey map to demonstrate the current frustrations of the user and how the app could support them with their problems. The map highlights the user's experience and feelings during her journey, before during and after using the app.
Specification
The user and scientific research helped me to define the following specifications of the app.
1. Goal creation with guidance
2. Behaviour/habit creation with guidance
3. Habit reminders ahead of time
4. Notifications for daily reflection
5. Tracking of done behaviours
Goal of system:
To support users with habit development through a process of goal and behaviour identification and regular self-reflection.
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Functionality:
6. Intervention/support when behaviours not done
7. Overview of current habits
8. Record of past reflections
9. Phasing out habit reminders when habit is forming/formed
Ideation & prototyping
User flow
Before getting into the prototyping, I thought through various user flows for the main functionalities: goal and habit creation, habit reminders, notifications for daily reflection and the user input of these, and intervention/support when the behaviour is not done.
Low fidelity prototyping
Using the user flow as a guide, I created a rough paper prototype which guided the user through the main functions of the app, specifically - goal and habit creation, morning habit reminders, evening notifications for reflection and input, and interventions/support when the behaviour is not done. Designing these screens allowed me to test the concept of the app with users in the user testing that was to follow.
User testing - concept check
I wanted to verify the app’s main functions, to see whether the concept of the app was viable and acceptable for users and to ascertain their thoughts and improvements on it. Therefore, I tested the low fidelity prototype with 4 users and asked them to perform 6 tasks:
1. Create a goal and habit.
2. Receive the morning reminder.
3. Input the evening reflection when behaviour was done.
4. Input the evening reflection when behaviour was not done (and go through the app's intervention process).
5. View the overview of habits and goals.
6. Check the progress of one habit.
Key insights from user testing
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- Most users thought the app could help people develop habits.
- All users said the current flow for executing tasks was logical.
- All tasks were performed easily.
- One user personally would not use the app as they are not interested in the process of recording reflections and would find the notifications annoying.
- One user wanted explanations of the 'science' behind the app's functions - i.e. why contextual cues should be set, why reflection helps, what is the difference between goals and habits, etc.
- One user wanted more support from the app in terms of motivational articles and practical suggestions on how to make a behaviour easier to do.
- Overview page should be more helpful and informative than it is in the low fidelity prototype.
Future outlook
Going forwards, it would be an idea to include either onboarding screens or 'information' icons that explain the science behind the app's features. The app should be aimed at people who are specifically interested in the method of regular reflection and journalling, which could be proposed as the app's unique offering. To discover whether the app concept is effective for actual, long term, successful behaviour change or habit development, longitudinal user testing would be required.
