Parent App Design
I worked with a multidisciplinary team to improve the BCE Connect parent app, using research and iterative design to create a more intuitive and accessible experience for families.
User-centric design
As a member of the internal product team, I worked closely with colleagues to place user needs at the centre of the design process. Drawing on user data, interviews and focus groups, we tested and refined wireframes and interactive prototypes to improve usability and effectiveness.
The project resulted in strong user adoption and positive feedback, demonstrating the value of involving users throughout the design process and validating design decisions through research and testing.
Objective
Our primary objective was to improve the experience for parents using the app to engage with their children's schools. We sought to create a more intuitive and accessible experience while simplifying common tasks for families across 146 Brisbane Catholic Education schools.
Research methods
To better understand user needs and behaviours, we used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods:
Surveys: Distributed to parents to gather quantitative data on their needs and preferences.
Interviews: Conducted with a select group of parents to gain deeper qualitative insights into their experiences and challenges.
Usability feedback: Performed with both low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes in focus groups to observe user interactions and identify areas for improvement.
Feedback from ITS staff: Collected valuable feedback from Information Technology Services staff who piloted the application.
These activities helped ensure design decisions were informed by real user needs rather than assumptions.
Synthesise insights
The research revealed several opportunities to improve the experience for parents. Users wanted simpler onboarding, faster access to key information and fewer barriers when completing routine tasks. Secure biometric login, simplified absence reporting for families with children attending different schools, and streamlined access to academic reporting were identified as high priorities. Staff also highlighted the need for tools that would help them better support parents when troubleshooting issues.
These insights were instrumental in shaping the design and functionality of the BCE Connect app.
Design outcomes
The research informed several improvements to the BCE Connect app:
Improved onboarding: Redesigned the onboarding experience to help users get started more quickly and confidently.
Accessibility enhancements: Improved accessibility to support a wider range of users and better align with inclusive design principles.
Biometric login: Introduced secure and convenient biometric authentication.
Absence management: Simplified absence reporting for families with children attending multiple schools.
Single sign-on: Streamlined access to The Learning Dashboard.
Support tools: Added account-switching functionality to help staff troubleshoot parent issues.
Dark mode: Introduced automatic and manual dark mode support.
Reflect
One of the key lessons from this project was the value of involving users early and throughout the design process. Regular feedback helped validate assumptions, identify pain points and shape solutions that better met the needs of parents and school communities.
In future projects, I would place even greater emphasis on moderated testing and continuous feedback loops. More frequent usability testing throughout delivery would provide additional opportunities to refine and validate design decisions.
User feedback
Feedback from parents and staff provided strong validation that the redesign addressed many of the issues identified during research.
Day one and love using it. Way easier to navigate. Well done team, keep up the great work.
The UI elements are so much better! As a parent using it, I feel the UX is also easier to navigate and look forward to hearing other parents' feedback in the coming weeks in our IT department.
As a school parent I logged on this morning and WOW I LOVE the improvements!
The updated design of the BCE Connect app is fantastic. It’s so easy to navigate and information is clearly arranged. The Biometric login option is a welcome addition. Congratulations to all involved on a job well done.
Thank you for updating this app. The improvements are both long overdue and most welcome. It's a better and more usable app now.
Great work. Benefiting parents and schools, strengthening communities. Well done.
