Overview
In this activity, you will compare the end user experience based on
the system functionality of two retailers. An example of system
functionality is in-stock notifications. When you are shopping on
Target’s site, you select your item, along with size and color. You
immediately see if the item is in stock. If it is not, the shopping cart
page provides an option to email you when the item is back in stock. On
another site (for example, Walmart), the shopping cart page tells you
if the item is not in stock; however, it does not give you the
opportunity to receive notifications when it is back in stock. In both
scenarios, as an IT professional, you need to evaluate the system
functionality through the lens of the end user.
Prompt
You are concerned with the end user experience. When you visit a
website or use the app for a an e-retailer, what are you requirements
for that website or app? Are you interested in how fast the pages load?
Can you compare items? Are these features important to you, and will you
continue to use a website that does not meet these requirements? That
experience will trigger a return visit to the site based on the most
expeditious purchasing experience, variety of items available, quantity
of items available, and quickest delivery method. In this activity, you
will locate two online retailers and compare them for ease of use as a
consumer. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE A PURCHASE. You will be searching
inventory, examining purchasing and shipping options, and reviewing
return policies. You will provide a description of your experience and
compare the retailers’ purchasing processes.
In your comparison, you will include a table that addresses the
following processes, along with a detailed narrative explanation of
which retailer has the best system ease of use:
Inventory process (Are you able to locate the item you wanted? Are you able to compare it to similar items?)
Purchasing process (Can you add the item to your cart? Are there multiple payment options available?)
Shipping process (How quickly will items be ready to ship?)
Return policies (How convenient is it to return an item?)
What to Submit
Upload a Word document including your comparison table and your brief
(1 page) narrative explanation of which retailer has the best system
ease of use.
Rubric
Criteria Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
System Narrative Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner Supports position on which retailer has best system ease of use Shows progress toward
proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may
include more details of system comparison Does not attempt criterion 45
Comparison Table Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner Compares all required system processes Shows progress toward
proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may
include comparing all of the system processes outlined in the prompt Does not attempt criterion 45
Articulation of Response Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner Clearly conveys meaning with correct
grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, demonstrating an
understanding of audience and purpose Shows progress toward
proficiency, but with errors in grammar, sentence structure, and
spelling, negatively impacting readability Submission has critical errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, preventing understanding of ideas 10
Total: 100%
