Background
Company: Cisco
Name of Product: Day of Play - Popcorn +
Type: Team
Role: Creator, Researcher, and Product Designer
Date: 2021
Introduction
Outshift was hosting its first-ever Day of Play. It is an event where non-technical staff can learn about Calisti, a service mesh platform for modern applications, to become more empathic to the personas using it and have fun with their colleagues.
What I Did
I was responsible for the UX design of the tasks, working with two engineers and a content writer. Secondly, I created several surveys. The objectives of the surveys were to discover what the participants learned to be more empathic to the personas, rating the instructions, the task, and overall opinion on the event. I was one of several co-hosts, assisting participants throughout both events. After each day's event, I gathered the data from Slido and started to analyze it.
Establishing Popcorn+
The first brainstorming led to a well-written script that was too technical, and it was hard to comprehend how it related to the persona. I recommended a story be used to connect everything into one seamless series of tasks. The story is conceived around a fictitious online movie streaming service called Popcorn+. Each participant would take turns being of the three personas, ITOps, Security, and DevOps, executing tasks with Calisti during a typical business day.
I brainstormed with an engineer to craft tasks for each persona tied into chapters of the storyline of Popcorn+. As a DevOps person at Popcorn+, you're responsible for the performance and stability of the services so customers have a hitch-free experience viewing a movie. I organized the screenshots of Calisti and wrote the instructions based on discussions with the engineer.
Sample of About You Question from Microsoft Forms
Sample of ITOps Question from Microsoft Forms
Survey
I prototyped the first sets of surveys in Microsoft Forms. When satisfied with each survey segment question, I transferred the surveys into Slido to be used on Webex. The surveys included ratings (must-answer) and text replies (optional).
During the Event
After completing each persona task segment, I asked the participants to complete a short survey about that segment. Participants had the opportunity to discuss and ask questions in the group setting. I would remind those who came late to complete the survey and stated the survey would end before moving on to the next segment.
Sample Slido Task Rating Question
Sample of Text-Filled Question
Analysis
I collected the Slido survey data and comments to process and analyze it after each day's event. Later, I would combine the data and findings with information from the Day of Play teammates' notes and observations from a Miro board and postmortem meeting. With all the information, I wrote an Executive Summary to highlight the findings and provide feedback to upper management on the event's success, highlights, and glitches. They were anxiously waiting to hear about the event.
Executive Summary Sample Pages
Data Samples
It Was a Success!
The first-ever Day of Play at Outshift was a huge success. Sixty-four people participated in the three-hour event. There were two events held to accommodate different time zones. 94% would recommend a co-worker attend a Day of Play event. 82% would likely participate in future events.
"It was great to interact with Calisti through the lenses of ITOps, Security, and DevOps."
The Popcorn story was well received. As envisioned, it helped participants relate to their tasks as different personas. 79% of participants stated their understanding of Calisti slightly to significantly improved.
"Thank you for putting this together! It was great to learn more about our products. It helps connect all the dots."
Popcorn+ story made the overall event more relatable and fun for the participants. There were discussions about using the Popcorn+ storyline because of its success for future Day of Play events at Outshift.
