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Certivote | Evaluation Metrics

What criteria will indicate success or failure?

Increase in voter registration in numbers- Increase in vote casting- Increase in organic and viral marketing to the app, i.e. voters self-promoting the app on their personal channels come time for voting "season"

Direct cost savings to the administrative costs associated with voting and voter registration

Whether or not it's accessible by all, including the alternative modifications if voters don't have a smartphone

Ability to keep users information secure- Ability to scale to other counties and states quickly

Which tests are best for measuring the specified goals?

A survey to all eligible voters, asking if this app will help alleviate their pain points around voter registration, vote casting and ultimately, voter integrity and trust in their system

A usability test to see how quickly and effectively an eligible voter moves through the onboarding flow

Using "Optimization Finding" when addressing A/B testing on certain screens in the prototype – specifically, the various biometric screens and their effectiveness in not confusing the user

Usability study to understand effectiveness when the user moves from the app to either a mail-in ballot or in-person ballot

How can you be sure your test results are viable?

Get a large and diverse enough test pool that will be statistically appropriate to reflect an eligible voter in the United States

Ensure we have a proper hypothesis we're testing and control

Garner more knowledge (both quantitative and qualitative) from various stakeholders

What should be measured?

Call-in's to Certivote's customer success phone line, i.e. fewer call-ins compared with the successful registration of users means Phase One is successful

How do you go back and improve upon your idea or solution?

Repeat the phases, ideating on certain features, the certain language around the content design

A/B Testing

Usability testing

Concentrate hypothesizes on KPI's

What iterations will make this solution more effective?

Possibly a different introduction to the biometrics

Fewer steps for the user to move through the app

More follow-up with the voter via different communication platforms outside of the app

A more concrete flow from the app to a physical polling place

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Conceptualization | Group

The Business Model Canvas was a great way to further our implementation towards conceptualizing how our solution would best work. Our team met immediately after class to discuss how to move from the canvas to a conceptualized model. We drew upon features discussed in the ideate phase and continued to narrow our focus on a minimum viable product.

The next step was to find a tool we could use to develop the wireframe collaboratively. Based on the technology everyone was using, we landed on Figma.

We also developed a name for the application: Certivote. We initially conceived the name “Votify”; however, this was already used. The Certivote mark does not appear to be taken. We chose a shield and a check mark to emphasize the verifying aspects of the solution. We chose a militaristic font (Black Ops One) to send a message of security. We initially started with a red color, but after reviewing it from the perspective of the user experience, we decided to change it to blue.

As a team we reviewed voter registration sites online, we decided that we would like to simplify and streamline the process for the voter. We kept this idea in mind as we developed the wireframe.

We also reached out to the former Secretary of State for the State of Colorado to see if he could provide feedback as a stakeholder. Under his leadership, the integrity of the Colorado elections was considered among the best in the nation.

The below wireframe shows how we have conceptualized the onboarding process for the prospective voter. We look to further develop frames to show the election experience prior to our presentation next week.

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Evaluation

While our Certivote team worked well collaboratively, we also needed to work independently to achieve our timeline and milestones. Introspection was a key tactic I used in the evaluation phase, researching external resources that were needed to understand how other counties voted, other countries process voting and voter registration, and although my own experience was useful, it was not going to help scale this product on its own. The process journal also helped us all to align from a problem-solving perspective, understanding in an open format, where we each were individually going with our thoughts towards the product.

As a collaborative group, team Democracy Now was incredibly disciplined and effective in communicating. We learned together what collaboration meant, what tools were needed to accomplish the collaboration and the processes that worked well for each of us. We acclimated to the desired format with ease each and every assignment, ultimately resulting in an amazing phase one of Certivote. Several weekly checkpoints revealed a pay as you go mentality, supported by a personal best evaluation. We would openly talk about our strengths and weaknesses that week in the project, as well as discuss the goals we achieved and ultimately implemented. 

Our strengths as individuals were brought into the final deliverable, as well as allowing each of us to tackle deliverables we might have wanted to learn but were not as well versed. When in critique-mode, the group was open and full of strong and intelligent conversations regardless of where we ended up on the critique. Ultimately, we followed a true Jury of Peers model where each of us was open and happy to accept critique, if the solution were to be better for it — and rarely did we come to a crossroads we could not resolve.

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Business Model Canvas | Group

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Implementation | Business Model

The implementation process was exciting, as we truly began to see the fruits of our labor when building out the business model canvas. The business model synthesized and distilled our thoughts down, developing out a solution that we could truly realize. Our ideation process was, rightfully so, abundant in thought and passion, but we knew we needed to funnel down the thoughts into something that was achievable – an MVP of sorts. As seen through the selection process, we chose to focus on voter registration and identification. To do this as a team, we created a collaborative document on Google Sheets, modeling the business model canvas shared with the class. Throughout the week, our team met to discuss the overarching goals of the business model, and then we strategically assigned various parts of the model to complete. 

After our “first-draft” meeting, we realigned as a team to discuss the model as a whole. The dots began to connect, revealing interesting and new insights that ultimately made the model stronger. Some examples include expanding customer segments like young college voters or exploring different ways to make the team stronger like welcoming policy officials to the organization. We also found new and potentially profitable ways to grow our revenue streams with grants through the Helping Americans Vote Act. 

We also evaluated ways to make our outreach team more successful, connecting to policy officials like the Secretary of State, and also taking a nod from technology companies with a full-service customer support team to close the gap on any technology-related barriers to entry for our new voters. The model truly revealed the need to have a full stack team that mirrored your typical product development team; ultimately, this would treat our voting product like a tech company, possibly gaining trust by voters more familiar with technology customer service platforms.  

Ultimately, the first iteration of our product is just the beginning of this incredible technology that will undoubtedly improve electoral integrity, and in the process, further, contribute to world peace. The registration process for voting in a democratic nation/state is complicated, intimidating, and defeating, ultimately causing for less voter turnout and fewer citizens interested in the electoral process. This technology will lower the costs associated with voter registration and will cascade into other steps within the voting process, ultimately helping states and officials to focus on the topics at hand.

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Selection Process

In the selection process, our group was extremely collaborative. The initial heat map model that was created – using a set of criteria, the three possible solutions we were evaluating, and individual scores each of us applied to the corresponding two elements – was an excellent way to evaluate how we each felt about the possible end solution. Conveniently, the heat map approach revealed we all had the same perspectives, ranking the three solutions in order of priority based on the criteria we were evaluating. This allowed us to come into the ideation process confident we were inclusively moving forward as a team.

A possible option in the next solution exercise would have been to ask our users (any eligible voters in the United States) through a top task survey on the major issues around the voting process, rather than coming up with the criteria on our own. We would have then seen the relevant criteria attributes coming from the voice of the user. We could have then followed-up the survey with a set of questions about how each criteria item would affect one of the three solutions. For example, we could ask: How much do you agree or disagree that the voter identification process would be stronger if it was accessible via a smartphone? We will most likely do this validation survey as a final element of our entire process, closing the loop on our solution pitch. 

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Solution | Group

The group identified three possible solutions to improving electoral integrity from a technological perspective:

Voter Identification and Registration

Vote Casting

Verifying Votes

Initially, our group considered Why Not Try Them All?  We had envisioned a desktop and mobile application that took the voter from voter identification and registration to casting the vote to verify the vote was counted.  However, the more we discussed the logistical and technical challenges, this did not seem to be feasible.  We felt it was wiser to tackle one solution and then over time add the additional solutions.  

To determine as a group which solution to tackle, we decided to develop a matrix using the methodology described in the asynchronous work as Opinions vs. Objectives. Our primary objective was to choose the solution that could make the largest impact on electoral integrity. To determine this, we identified the primary qualities the solution needed to improve electoral integrity.  We then rated them based on what solution was more likely to display those qualities. We color-coded the ratings to display a heat map that revealed the priorities of attributes.

This process helped identified the clear solution for us to implement a technical solution to improve voter identification and registration.

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Ideation | Democracy Now!

Problem Statement to Ideate:

Electoral integrity issues undermine the democratic process in the United States and creates a lack of confidence in state elections and thus a propensity to conflict and corruption.

When tackling the ideation around the above problem statement, team "Democracy Now!" used a variety of techniques, both individually and as a group, throughout the problem-solving process. These techniques include brainstorming, group brainstorming, lateral thinking, as well as several "brain breaks" in between. 

Throughout our research and ideation process, we used an affinity diagram to document our ideas, individually. We used color coordinating cards to identify who had which idea. At the end of the week, we came together as a team to discuss, explain, and defend each of the ideas and, ultimately, converge the ideas into themes. The above image is a snapshot of our final idea board, collaborating and combining the common solutions we deemed appropriate to implement in our solution.  

The most crucial and common themes we pulled out of our collective ideation process were Identity Verification and Voting Methods – where we discovered verification and casting of the vote to be currently an area of weakness in Democratic voting processes.

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Definition | Personal

Definition of Democracy, as it relates to Peace

“Democracies are hesitant to engage in armed conflict with other identified democracies.” – Kant’s Democratic Peace Theory

Problem Statement #1 | Focused on an Inclusive Voting Technology

Problem Statement

When democratic nations have disparate voting processes, the propensity for unequal representation within a global democratic system like the UN, League of Nations, or EU, becomes higher. This leads to false notions of democracy, making it more difficult to sustain peace. 

Solution-Based Hypothesis

If an inclusive, secure, and accessible voting system existed, all citizens of this global democracy could vote with confidence and equal representation would result in a civil and lawful society that would withstand the test of time.

Problem Statement #2 | Focused on the concept of Democracy in a Box

Problem Statement

Poorer countries suffer to remain democratic, and thus peace-keeping, because global democratic systems, like the UN, give preference and power to wealthier counties. This means smaller, poorer countries have no incentive and accountability to support democracy, long-term.

Solution-Based Hypothesis

When poorer and less powerful countries are granted “democracy in a box” they are able to better solve and scale for democratic attributes like the financial policy, freedom of the press, equal right to vote, military relations, human rights, and education and healthcare standards. This ultimately provides a pathway for a stronger and more peaceful society.

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Conjunction Junction | Definition

My Boyfriend

‘AND’

My boyfriend is incredibly intelligent, kind, ambitious, handsome, and a man of true character. He has a jovial sense of humor and loves to make everyone around him feel kind and lighthearted. He is already a successful businessman and will continue to be successful throughout his life. He loves his family and close friends and supports the people in his life incredibly. 

‘BUT’

My boyfriend is a man of true character but is humble in all he does. He has a jovial sense of humor but also knows when to be serious to get things done.  He is already a successful businessman but can find better ways to balance work and personal life. He supports the people in his life incredibly but also likes to keep his group of friends small and quality.

My Job    

‘AND’

My job is challenging and fun. My boss is one of the biggest drivers for my success and I would not be where I am in my career without his support. The work we do at the company is progressive in thought and is incredibly empowering. My team is wonderful and intelligent, allowing me to learn from them on a daily basis.  

‘BUT’

My job is challenging but sometimes overwhelming. My team and leadership are influential on my drive for success, but can also be a source for pressure. The work we do at the company is progressive but we’re surrounded by a more old-school mentality which sometimes slows us down more than we’d like. My team is made up of intelligent people but we fight process and red-tape that sometimes becomes frustrating. 

Louie, the dog 

‘AND’

Louie is an incredible best friend with many great and loving traits. He loves the outdoors and likes to go on hikes. He also is a great eater and does not discriminate against any type of food. He even finds baguettes hidden in the park and gobbles the baguettes up before his family finds him eating the contraband. Louie is also very gentle and enjoys snuggling with his family and stuffed animals. 

‘BUT’

Louie is an incredible best friend with many great and loving traits but sometimes, Louie loves bacon more. He loves the outdoors but prefers to shop and go to the mall. He enjoys all types of food but has been known to gain a few pounds in his later years. He is fairly good at finding hidden food when on walks but sometimes gets sicks when he eats unknown contraband food in the parks. Louie is also very gentle but has once been known to kill an innocent goose. 

My Knees 

‘AND’

My knees are so instrumental in allowing me to be independent as well as partake in fun activities. My knees are very important for recreational sports I love to do with my family and friends. In the winter, I enjoy skiing with my family and friends, and without my knees, I would not be able to do that sport! In the summer, my boyfriend and I enjoy golfing and running. My knees are surprisingly important for the game of golf. I am so grateful for my knees that allow me to enjoy my everyday life! 

‘BUT’

My knees are so instrumental but when I tore my ACL, my ability to be independent and partake in my everyday activities was hindered. Because my left knee is injured, the recreational sports I do and love have become few and far between. My family and friends have also been hindered by my injury because of my inability to do things in the winter like skiing or things like golf or running in the summer. My knees are surprisingly important for the game of golf but, unfortunately, I’ve had to pivot my everyday activities because of the injury.

Democratic Principles 

‘AND’

The democratic nations are stable and have a constitution with checks and balance system with representatives and a voting system for the constituents of the nations of the system. The systems are supported through a percentage of each member nation’s gross national income or GDP and nations have true representation. Each member nation allows for the right to vote and each system is welcomed to join according to the required criteria the system supports under democratic principles. The citizens under the system are protected and supported and united and safe. The voting technologies allow each country to equally have a voice and to support democratic principles. 

‘BUT’

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The democratic nations are stable but all don’t necessarily have a constitution with checks and balance system with representatives that are fairly chosen. The voting system for the constituents is not necessarily democratic in nature. The systems are supported through a percentage of each member nation’s gross national income or GDP but all nations don’t necessarily have true representation. Each member nation allows for the right to vote but each system is required to join if they abide by certain criteria that the system supports under certain democratic principles. Each citizen is protected but the support, unification, and safety the system expresses towards the nations are questioned in some circumstances. The voting technologies allow for each country to equally have a voice but they don’t necessarily have integrity nor support democratic principles. 

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Problem Definition | Electoral Integrity (Group)

Problem Statement

When democratic nations have disparate voting processes, corruption of election officials, and error-prone counting mechanisms, the propensity for unequal representation within a global democratic system like a nation’s government, the UN, or the EU becomes higher. Within these systems, falsely elected representative views unfairly override the views of the collection represented body. This results in a lack of unity and inevitable conflict. One hundred percent of the countries with wars of 1,000 or more deaths, within the last year, had electoral integrity problems.

Solution-Based Hypothesis

If an inclusive, secure, reliable, transparent, and accessible electoral system existed, all citizens of any democracy could vote with confidence and be truly represented in legislatures and decisions of conflict. An ideal electoral system would be a foundational element to move towards a global democracy in which all citizens have a voice in the governing of their states and nations.

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Group Brainstorming | Definition

Affinity Diagram

After refining the objective and outlining the various attributes of democracy using the morphological analysis, the team used an affinity diagram to highlight the top keywords found within the research. The umbrella benefits or problems, found within the morphological analysis from various democratic systems, were placed in cards on the affinity diagram. The affinity diagram helped to see the priorities at a higher level, taking only the most pressing elements from the democratic systems. We then began to combine cards based on what categories we felt could be collaborated. The product is seen below. 

After the affinity exercise, we went off as individuals to attempt to boil down the objectives into problem statements and hypothesizes. The goal in this process was to find ways to paraphrase the connections we each saw within the affinity diagram and create a problem statement and hypothesis as individuals. We then came back together, sharing our statements. We borrowed and refined the most relevant elements of each problem statement into the statement we chose in the end. See the final problem statement and hypothesis here around the Electoral Integrity Definition. 

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Analysis 9.2 | Q&A

What's the situation or background? Democratic systems on a global scale. Examples include the UN, League of Nations, EU, and NATO  — all of which were created to globalize and converge democratic nations into one, supported the union for peace.

What are all the facts, questions, data, and feelings that are involved? Each of these systems was created to help unify nations, support human rights, create peace amongst countries, and embrace and spread democracy.

Many of these systems are ineffective or flawed (or just didn’t work) because of various reasons including, 

a) countries are not accountable for their actions — there are little consequences for countries who chose not to follow them to a system’s values or goals

b) the financial policies of these systems are either not equal, or the majority nation(s) — i.e. nations with the largest GDP to contribute – are given priority in decision making or influence

c) the way in which nations nominate their representatives to the global system is not democratic — citizens of the nation-state do not actually get to vote who they want to represent their voice at a global level

d) veto power of certain nations within the system is counterintuitive to the democratic system and therefore provide little to no influence for a voting system to take place.

Who is or should be involved?

All democratic nations in the world. 

Any poorer nations who want democracy but, for reasons of war or injustice, can not — the goal of the system is to bring that country to a level of democracy that can be sustained and supported.

What is or is not happening?

Financial policies that can be scaled and sustained at a global level 

Global voting processes and platforms that support access and inclusiveness amongst any and all citizens of the world 

Equal representation 

Military or policing structures that are sustainable, form a system of checks and balances and create a sense of consequence if countries were to violate global law

When does this or should this happen? This should happen to support things like war conflict resolution, human rights violations, nuclear power issues, trade conflicts, global healthcare, environmental and climate-related issues, rights to education, and equal right to vote for the citizens of democratic nations who belong to this global system.

Where does or doesn’t this occur? Currently, this is being carried out, in some form, within the UN, EU, and NATO.

Why does it or doesn’t it happen? This is not happening between nations who are not democratic.

What would be better if you resolved this situation? What would be worse?

Global problems like human rights violations like labor issues or world hunger problems could be helped, climate and environmental issues could have standards and global consequences, un-fair trade could be addressed in a democratic way, and true democratic principles like the equal right to vote would be supported.

More issues could be highlighted if the consequences of one country would directly begin to influence or effect an allied country in the system.

What is the major obstacle facing you in dealing with this situation? Who would be in charge? How would decisions be supported? What kind of consequences would need to be established to scale and sustain this system? How would you avoid the current UN policy of veto power of some of the most powerful nations in the world? How would a military system like NATO be more equally supported by all nations?

What’s the intention behind this? Kant’s Democratic Peace Theory states that “democratic nations are less likely to go to war with other democratic nations.” If the concept of World Peace were to truly be executed on a global scale, theoretically, the more democratic nations that existed would translate to less war and more peace.  

Based on your answers, what have you learned about the subject matter?

Global democracy is a very complicated and difficult concept to scale. Logical things like fiscal policy, trade issues, military power, and GDP become serious concepts that need hard and fast rules around in order to be applied to such a concept like a shared democratic system.

We’ve also learned that the right to vote — meaning global access to a common voting tool — might not be the winning ticket to the success of a global democratic system if democratic principles were not put into place within the particular voting country. If the people of a democratic nation voted, but there was a flawed execution of the vote, then a free voting system would actually cause more conflict that resolution. 

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Analysis

The morphological analysis, allowing our team to explore various attributes of a democratic charter for the purpose of getting closer to something that looks like the United States Constitution, was extremely valuable in comparing and contrasting the features we needed to evaluate. Democratic systems are broadly defined, so the morphological analysis allowed us to evaluate certain features that work and certain features that don't in the global systems that have been established throughout history. Each of the members of our group evaluated different global systems that had democratic systems in place, attempting to establish a concept of world peace. Each system has a different way in which they organized their system to support democracy. The morphological analysis allowed us to evaluate this all at a higher level. 

We were able to deduce that certain elements like fiscal policy, military aid, and voting structures need to be detailed out to truly create a democratic nation that works effectively -- something that our research highlighted as a sore spot.

We were also able to agree that all the systems in place, including the UN, League of Nation, US government, and EU agree that human rights, equality in society, and education standardization are elements that are crucial in creating a truly democratic nation. 

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Morphological Analysis | Global Democratic Systems

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What’s in It for Me?

Unit 8 | Acceptance 

Using the Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose framework from Daniel Pink, I’m motivated to work through this problem of world peace through democracy by implementing each of those attributes for my own, personal, learning and exploration. 

By digging deeper into world peace through global democracy, I will surely learn more about democratic principles and global nations. We plan to tackle how various countries can adopt democratic principles within their current political structures. That will be an exciting and interesting endeavor, learning about real-world scenarios that are affecting the world. 

From a technology perspective, I’m eager to learn about how we plan to dig into inclusive, secure, and forward-thinking innovations that will allow for our global citizens to have accessible solutions to voting technologies regardless of their location or education. 

Ultimately, I’m excited to learn from my fellow partners in this project. 

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Contingency Management

Unit 8 | Acceptance Sara Benjamin, Warren Boone & Kelsey Smith

Limits, Capabilities, Collective Capabilities

Limit - Time (WB, KS, SB)

Limit - Technology (KS, SB)

Limit - Design (WB)

Limit - Business Experience (SB)

Capability - Writing (WB, KS, SB)

Capability - Research (WB, KS, SB)

Collective Capability - Collaboration

Collective Capability - Intellectual Horsepower

Goals and Standards (Show misalignment, gaps)

Respect each other’s thoughts - Be open to constructive feedback

Establish clear time frames to meet or present drafts

All members equally contribute - bring something to the table

Communicate clearly and as often as necessary

All voices are heard and valuable

Stay Within Scope

Define the minimum viable product (MVP)

Collectively agree on what each member is working on

Work from shared documents - explain edits

Meet deadlines

Archive extra ideas and reference throughout the project

Incentives

Collective satisfaction at presenting a solid idea

Learn from each other and grow

Create a viable solution

Consequences

Voted out of steps of the process

Demoted to “Part-Time Contributor” status