REPAIRSOLUTIONS2 MOBILE APP · UX Research Study

Rediscovering our users through mix-methods research.

I defined opportunity areas with qualitative and quantitative behavioral insights.

ROLE

Lead UX Designer

TIMELINE

2 months

TEAM

Product · Eng · Data

SCOPE

Methods → Insights

Study Overview

Strategy

I started with 3 Hypotheses about DIY repair and maintenance behavior — These informed the strategy and questions asked.

How I led

Working with another UX designer and Business Analyst, I defined our strategy and goals for this research effort.

Methods

Qualitative user interviews combined with Quantitative survey data to identify behaviors and confirm direction at scale.

Outcomes

Directional insights for the product and business teams, prioritized by signal strength.

Methods

QUALITATIVE

Interviews

Build personas and user journey map from behavioral insights.

QUANTITATIVE

Surveys

Understand current product performance and opportunities at scale.

Research Goal

Define the DIY repair journey by understanding tasks, pain points and emotions

Sample

Using a recruiting platform, we selected people who fit our target audience.

  • Primarily young to middle-aged male

  • All regions represented (U.S.)

  • Mixed DIY experience levels

  • Mixed income and occupations

User Personas

3 distinct behavioral segments emerged from our conversations.

Segment A

The Cost-Driven Pragmatist

DIY primarily to save money. Confident in routine maintenance but won’t push beyond their established skill set without a strong cost justification.

Segment B

The Curious Grower

Motivated by learning and self-sufficiency as much as cost. Actively expanding their skill set. More willing to attempt new jobs; more likely to invest time in research.

Segment C

The Enthusiast-Operator

Highly skilled, intrinsically motivated. Owns multiple cars, works every weekend, has a proper workspace. Primarily motivated by the work itself.

User Journey

Mapping the user journey defined clear opportunity areas.

QUALITATIVE

Interviews

Build personas and user journey map from behavioral insights.

QUANTITATIVE

Surveys

Understand current product performance and opportunities at scale.

Research Goal

Define the DIY repair journey by understanding tasks, pain points and emotions

Sample

Using a recruiting platform, we selected people who fit our target audience.

  • Primarily young to middle-aged male

  • All regions represented (U.S.)

  • Mixed DIY experience levels

  • Mixed income and occupations

User Personas

3 distinct behavioral segments emerged from our conversations.

Segment A

The Cost-Driven Pragmatist

DIY primarily to save money. Confident in routine maintenance but won’t push beyond their established skill set without a strong cost justification.

Segment B

The Curious Grower

Motivated by learning and self-sufficiency as much as cost. Actively expanding their skill set. More willing to attempt new jobs; more likely to invest time in research.

Segment C

The Enthusiast-Operator

Highly skilled, intrinsically motivated. Owns multiple cars, works every weekend, has a proper workspace. Primarily motivated by the work itself.

User Journey

Mapping the user journey defined clear opportunity areas.

Hypothesis Evaluation

Behavioral data from the interviews supported the research hypotheses and clarified their role in the experience.

HYPOTHESIS 1

The decision to do something yourself is largely based on access to resources.

EVIDENCE

Partially Supported

All interview participants indicated they would attempt more DIY work if they had more resources — but the hypothesis understates how much the financial calculus drives the initial decision.

HYPOTHESIS 2

The decision to do something yourself is largely based on access to resources.

EVIDENCE

Supported

Most indicated the majority of their DIY jobs didn't involve scanning the vehicle — surveys confirm this at scale.

HYPOTHESIS 3

Most people alter between doing things themselves, and taking things to a shop.

EVIDENCE

Supported

Mental blocks, such as safety and job complexity result in hard lines for most users — EX: "I won't touch anything to do with electrical."

Themes Identified

Cross-analyzing the interview and survey results uncovered strong signals for the product's direction.

THEME

Repair guidance gap after scan

SIGNAL

Very High

DIRECTION

Build repair step walkthroughs + how-to video links directly in the scan report flow.

THEME

Maintenance Tracking is missing

SIGNAL

High

DIRECTION

Build a persistent vehicle service log. Auto-populate from scans. Allow manual entries.

THEME

Broad DIY scope beyond OBD

SIGNAL

High

DIRECTION

Create non-scan entry points: maintenance schedules, symptom checker, and general

Directional Insights

I translated the research findings into prioritized, actionable insights for the the business and product teams.

P0 - Must Build

Close the Repair Guidance Gap

Help users actually complete the repair by providing them with guided steps, troubleshooting and resources.

Upgrade the Parts Experience

Save them time and money by confirming which part to replace and fitment when purchasing.

P1 - High Priority

Symptom-Based Diagnosis Entry Point

Help users diagnose non-dash light related problems.

Digital Service Log

Let users track services for better repair visibility.

P2 - Improve

Report Readability & Layered Language

Make it easier to understand and digest complex diagnostics.

Broader DIY Reach Beyond OBD

Maintenance, predicted repairs and aesthetic modifications.

What I learned

Strategy & Leadership

Factoring in time, budget, resources and business goal, I defined our approach, working cross-functionally to execute and analyze the research.

Going Forward

Show mature self-awareness: what you would change, what surprised you, and how the work shaped your future practice.

Thanks for your time

"Time is the wisest counselor of all."
— Pericles

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