Tomo

Time management made easiest

Overview

Product introduction

Problem statement

As remote work gets more and more widespread every day, time management is more important than ever; yet the current time management and productivity tools still face the following problems, resulting in a poorer user experience than users want and deserve:

Solution

A time management product with an automated dynamic scheduling feature that (re-)makes your schedule for you, based on your energy level, and what task categories you want to work on for the day, with only a few clicks, resulting in a significant reduction in time spent on time management.

Research

Preliminary user interviews

I have kicked off this project with preliminary users interviews with the following goals:

During this research phase, I had three very lengthy user interviews and several relatively short interviews.

"That being said I am a bit stressed about the workload. I should only handle the urgent task today and put my best effort from tomorrow."
- Quote from an interviewee's diary

Key learnings from preliminary user interviews

Competitive analysis

As I had planned to run a solo design sprint of two weeks from zero to the first complete prototype, and I was satisfied with the outcome of my preliminary interviews, I decided to spend the rest of the time allocated for research on extensive competitive analysis.

The purposes of this competitive analysis were:

During this extensive competitive analysis study, I have checked almost every single productivity, time management, to-do list, etc. product on ProductHunt and Google Play Store to understand the landscape. Among the crowd, those that deserve at least honorable mentions are Any.do,Todoist, Microsoft To Do, Google Calendar, Reclaim.ai, and Untime.

Key learnings from competitive analysis

Just after I had completed the first iteration of Tomo's prototype, I had a chance to have a discussion with the CEO of quite a successful time management product that is about to launch a new product. Upon taking a look at the prototype I designed, they told me...

"Because in my experience getting people to use new productivity apps is really hard and having a completely different interface than to what they are used to, makes it harder"

So, what now?

Based on my research, I have concluded that a time management product that I would be designing ought...

Automatic dynamic scheduling enters!

While conducting competitive analysis, I had come across some products with partially automated schedule making (e.g., Reclaim.ai), but I noticed that they were not making the best use of a feature with a business opportunity with immense value.

After a brainstorming process, I have come up with a task prioritization and sorting algorithm, computationally so simple, that even a beginner like me can code, which I call Automated Dynamic Scheduling.

The algorithm re-queues user tasks based on user inputs (task actions, energy level, task categories) and task properties (due date and time, priority, and appx. time to complete), and further, this can be achieved only with a few clicks, any time the user wants.

In cases where the algorithm has only partial information, the product would prompt the user, asking them to choose between equal options.

So, the user would focus only on the current task which is the highest priority task with the closest deadline, and would not be prompted by Tomo unless there is an absolute necessity, e.g., they will miss a deadline for another task if they do not complete their current task shortly.

"A to-do list with just one task on it reflects a strategic and intentional choice about what you will do next, and continue to focus on until it's done. It might feel silly, but writing that one thing down on its own list is the key—it makes it a commitment that you're far more likely to follow through on. Make meaningful progress, one task at a time."
- Peter Bregman

Usability test

After I had completed Tomo's first prototype at the end of my two-week solo design sprint, it was finally time to test it with users, so the following questions in my mind would be answered. So, I conducted an online unmoderated usability test in which six participants would complete six tasks and answer two additional questions. The tasks they were asked to complete are as follows.

Task Avg. Duration Avg. Score
Let Tomo know how you feel and pick task categories to work on. 81.45 seconds 3.33/5.00
Complete this daily onboarding flow. 30.70 seconds 4.66/5.00
Check Tomo's suggestion and take an action. 96.14 seconds 4.16/5.00
Delete your current task. 16.44 seconds 4.50/5.00
Check a future task. 28.51 seconds 4.66/5.00
Mark a future task as completed on List View. 40.73 seconds 4.50/5.00

At the end of the usability test, each test participant was asked if they had any suggestions or feedback regarding their experience using Tomo, and some were kind enough to provide several actionable items.

A/B testing two flows

As I was not able to decide between two "daily onboarding" flows, the most important insight that I was looking for from this usability test was the test participants' choices on them:(i) which one they would rate higher (or lower), (ii) which one they would state to prefer, and (iii) which one they would take shorter (or longer) to complete.

Flow A stats: Avg. completion time: 81.45 seconds - Avg. score: 3.33/5.00

Flow B stats: Avg. completion time: 30.70 seconds - Avg. score: 4.66/5.00

As test participants' choice could not be clear enough, I went with the Flow B 🏆.

Primary Features

A schedule for you

Tomo makes daily scheduling effortless by considering not just tasks but also your energy level.

Set your energy level to match how you feel, whether drained or energetic, and Tomo will adapt your schedule accordingly.

With Tomo, managing your time becomes simple, flexible, and focused on what matters most, your work.

Automated dynamic scheduling

Tomo streamlines time management with just a few clicks, and continuously adapts to your schedule as you complete tasks, ensuring you meet your goals.

You no longer have to worry about unexpected events as Tomo has your back and adjusts your schedule for you.

A schedule that frees your mind

Simplify your life with Tomo.

No more frustrating tables, calendars, or endless scheduling. Tomo only alerts you when necessary, freeing you to focus on the present.

Say goodbye to calendar Tetris and enjoy a stress-free life. Trust Tomo to handle the future while you live in the moment.

Interested in working together?

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