Alpha phase user research on road freight data for the Department for Transport

We were engaged by the Department for Transport’s Road Freight Statistics Team to conduct the user research for the Alpha phase of their road freight data collection service. 

Acting on recommendations from our thorough Discovery, the Department wanted to explore the potential of a digital data collection service that could succeed their incumbent paper-based road freight statistics surveys.

Lagom worked in consortium with Torchbox, with our user researchers part of a multi-disciplinary team of designers, developers and delivery managers. Working together, we ensured that the user needs identified during the Discovery were the starting point for decisions about the Alpha phase, and closely informed the development of Alpha prototypes.

We engaged with a range of users across the haulage industry including operational directors, transport managers and HGV drivers. We conducted observations and feedback sessions with participants, during which we asked them to use and provide feedback on the functionality, navigation and content design of our interactive prototypes. These sessions were conducted in person, remotely, and in their workplaces to provide a richer context of use.

We fulfilled all of the user research criteria as part of an Alpha phase service assessment, and the service team was successful at meeting all GDS Service Standard points, enabling the Department to progress to a Beta phase.

“Lagom were professional when conducting user research – adapting to all change during the alpha project. The team were very organised and insightful about a large range of topics including GDS assessments. I felt supported by them throughout the project and they engaged with the Road Freight team to ensure they were aware of any important findings and also took on any of their feedback.”

Lucy Mills, Product Owner, Department for Transport