Kudoo Cloud

The Challenge

To launch an MVP product that provides freelancers and contractors with a robust system supporting their financial health and guiding them throughout their independent journey.

Discover

To start off this project I needed to get a comprehensive analysis of competitors in the financial management space, particularly Xero, Quickbooks, Sage and Bonsai, was performed. A feature comparison matrix allowed me to identify their strengths and weaknesses, determine the market gaps, and develop a unique value proposition for our product.

After researching the market and creating a list of features provided by competitors, I proceeded with stakeholder interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of the business's objectives, requirements, and challenges.

To gain a deep understanding of the target user group and identify their pain points, user research was conducted. This involved user interviews and surveys with freelance contractors, Administrators and Small Business Owners.

Define

To gain a better understanding of our targeted users, I refined my research using empathy maps and developed insightful metrics. I then created personas to visually represent our understanding of who our users are, including their behaviors, motivations, and goals.

I conducted workshops to synthesise the data into affinity maps, which helped me identify patterns and key insights.

Key findings from the research phase included

• Freelance contractors often struggle with inconsistent income streams and complex expense tracking.

• Invoicing and payment management are time-consuming and prone to errors.

• Accessible financial insights and reporting are lacking, making it challenging to assess business performance and plan for the future.

Differentiation from Xero

To differentiate our product from Xero and other competitors, the following key features were emphasised:

• Freelancer-centric Approach: Our product was tailored specifically to address the unique needs and pain points of freelance contractors, providing a more personalized experience compared to generic accounting platforms.

• Streamlined Workflows: By simplifying tasks such as invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting, our product enabled freelance contractors to save time and focus on their core business activities.

• Insights for Freelancers: Our financial web application offered customised insights and reports designed to help freelance contractors understand their business performance and make data-driven decisions, empowering them to thrive in their independent careers.

Design

The design approach focused on creating a user-friendly, intuitive, and efficient experience for freelance contractors.

The following key features were established:

• Streamlined Onboarding: Simplify the onboarding process by gathering essential information and integrating with relevant third-party platforms to automate data entry.

• Clear Income and Expense Tracking: Develop a user-friendly interface that enables contractors to easily categorise and track their income and expenses, providing real-time visibility into their financial health.

• Seamless Invoicing and Payment Management: Streamline the invoicing and payment process by automating reminders, integrating with payment gateways, and offering customisable invoice templates.

• Customised Insights and Reporting: Provide meaningful financial insights and reports tailored to the needs of freelance contractors, helping them understand their business performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions.

I began with simple wireframes and added essential features to create a basic user flow. Together with the solution architect, we polished these concepts and moved on to building interactive prototypes to test usability with selected users.

Deliver

Based on the research findings and design principles, an MVP was designed and developed. The initial design focused on core features, including simplified onboarding, income and expense tracking, invoicing, and basic reporting capabilities. Through iterative user testing and feedback loops, the design was refined and optimized for enhanced usability and user satisfaction.