Group Members

• Emily Kuo (ekuo8)
• Gil O'Neil (goneil)
• Max Stein-Golenbock (msteing)

GR1 - User Observation and Analysis

• Observations and Interviews
• User Classes
• Task Analysis

GR2 - Designs

GR3 - Paper Prototyping

GR4 - Computer Prototype

GR5 - Implementation

GR6 - User Testing

GR1: User Observation and Analysis

Observations and Interviews

Client Interview 1

This interviewee is a 21 year old MIT undergrad student who took part in planning a basketball tournament for a student charity group. As this was a charity event, she was looking for businesses to donate the winning prizes to the tournament.

Client Interview 2

This interviewee is a 17 year old MIT undergrad student and Eagle Scout who organized a book drive for his local children's hospital.   He heard from word of mouth that his local hardware store often supports eagle projects.  He walked into the store, asked for the manager and then pitched the event to the manager and asked for supplies to be donated to help build book carts used in the book drive.  A problem the interviewee encountered was that the manager changed mid project and the interviewee needed to pitch the entire project again to the new manager.

Business in-person Interviews (4)

These stores are all located in Central Square, Cambridge.

- Cambridge Bicycle

This is a local small business. The manager said that they are often overwhelmed with requests for donations. They donate in order to strengthen the community and do good, and they do not consider the donation for its marketing or advertising value. Therefore, they generally donate a bike to local community events.

- Toscanini's Ice Cream

This is another local small business. The manager has a very subjective process for donations. They usually only donate their ice cream to events with some personal relevance to the manager. For example, they sponsored an employee's party.

- Blick Art Materials

This is a large chain store with locations throughout the country. They readily advertise their involvement in donations. Their most important criterion for an event is the marketing and advertising opportunity. Therefore, they only donate to art-related events. Donation proposals pass from local store manager to regional higher-ups. Each store filters local event proposals. They partner with a group of Boston-area colleges and are pro-active in visiting these schools and giving out free materials to promote their brand. They usually get a good return from these marketing campaigns and other donation event involvement by getting a high percentage of repeat customers.

- Chipotle

This is a large chain store with locations throughout the country. They sponsor events that align with their values of community, health, local growers and organic food. If a proposal is good, the local store manager will directly approve it. Otherwise, it will be passed on to a corporate higher-up to decide.

User Classes

Group 1: Client Side

The Client Side is composed of event planners looking for business donations

Group 2: Business Side

The Business Side is composed of businesses that may donate events.

Task Analysis

1. Make it easier for event planners to find businesses likely to donate
2. Provide guidance to event planners on how to contact businesses
3. Provide incentive for businesses to donate to maximize the benefit they receive from sponsoring events
4. Help businesses evaluate the legitimacy of contacts