Assignment: Web Application Concept Statement

As part of this workshop, you will create a concept for a web app you would like to build. A web app is a computer program that runs within a web browser such as Chrome, and uses HTML, CSS, and Javascript to respond to users. In developing this concept, you will try your hand at product design, which is a part of the Access Code program.

Concept Statement (individual)

The Concept Statement is assigned during Day 1 of the workshop and due at the beginning of Day 2.

Description

Think of a problem that is personally important to you. It may be a problem you've experienced yourself, or that affects a community you're part of, or that relates to a hobby, interest, cause, or passion important to you. Then think about how a web app could address the problem. The problem does not need to be deeply profound (you don't have to cure cancer!), but choose one that you are passionate about.

Once you've chosen a problem, research existing solutions to the problem, particularly web sites, web apps, and mobile apps that might already address it. Think about what works well about these, and what doesn't work as well. Then think about how you would like to solve the problem using a web app.

Your Concept Statement should include at least these sections:

• The name of your Concept Statement, and your name.

• A Problem Statement, providing context and explaining in detail what the problem is.

• A summary of Existing Solutions to the problem, which may be technological or otherwise.

• One or more User Stories. A user story is a description of who a user of the app might be, why s/he is using the app, and how s/he interacts with it to meet his/her goals. The user could be someone you know, or an imaginary typical user.

• A Concept for the web app, explaining its major features and how they work together to address the problem better than the existing solutions.

Feel free to add additional sections to your Concept Statements to represent additional insights and ideas you might have.

A sample Concept Statement is here. Your Concept Statement does not need to look exactly like the sample, but make sure you include the sections above.

Deliverables

1. Upload a PDF of your Concept Statement to the your unique link emailed to you via Greenhouse.

Evaluation

Your Concept Statement and Proposal will be evaluated on:

• How thoroughly did you think through your the problem, user stories, design, and features?
• How thoroughly did you research existing solutions?
• Did you prepare a carefully-written writeup?
• How creative is your solution to the problem?