Consolidated Contextual Diagrams
Three of the diagrams that were made are able to be consolidated into one diagram that contains all three stakeholders' representations. The three diagrams that are consolidated are the Physical, Flow, and Cultural models.
Consolidated Physical Model
Consolidated Physical Model Explanation
First we can see the entire layout of the diagram consisting of a parking lot outside of a strip mall, and within close proximity to the restaurant, a food court, and two other stores. The close distance between the parking lot and
the strip mall/restaurant provides convenience for both the user and the host/hostess due to the fact that they don’t have to travel on foot far. In addition, the proximity draws in customers. Furthermore, the two stores provide both entertainment and a distraction for users waiting for their tables, or potential customers inside the stores may be drawn to the restaurant establishment because of how close it is. Given that the stores are so close, the users can easily put their names on a waiting list through their phone, and wait until just before their table is ready to head over to the restaurant. The food court provides competition with its close proximity in relation to the establishment. Next, we see two grocery vendors outside the back of the strip mall and a delivery area directly attached to the restaurant’s kitchen. This is convenient for the staff and the vendors (they can pull right in), and it also doesn’t ruin the restaurant’s atmosphere for the customers.
Next we can move to aspects within the establishment. Four signs are present and consistent from previous models: sign 1 (the entrance sign), sign 2 (the welcome sign), sign 3, (the “employees only” sign), and sign 4 (the sign
for the restrooms). These signs serve as visual aids for all patrons, staff, and people in the restaurant, and they express where they can and cannot go, in addition to where things are located. The pink stars throughout the restaurant are each telephones, but, depending on their area, are only for specific uses and users. For example, at the bar anyone can use the phone, at the hostess stand only the hostess can conduct calls and they must be for the business, and in the employee area any employee can access a the phone for whatever reason. The spacing between tables on the floor provides convenience for all persons within the restaurant. Two areas that provide additional seating for users waiting are the waiting area at the entrance, and the bar. Both these areas ensure that the clutter within the front of the restaurant floor is reduced to a minimum. Finally, the host stand provides an organized area for the host to attend to, the guests to report to, and for the host duties to be managed from.
Each stakeholder has a corresponding color for their physical actions within the physical environment. The user is blue. User movements can be seen from the parking lot, to the host desk then either to their table or to the waiting room. From the table the user may move to the bathroom, which they see from sign 4, or to another table to greet other guests. The blue speech bubbles indicate how the app and the user interact at three points: outside the restaurant they check-in/view wait times, within the waiting area the buzzing notification for their party is received and they present a coupon to their waiter from the app at their table. Moving forward, the host/hostess movements are red. They arrive at work and report to stand, where they can organize menus, update wait-times, or check availability from the computer. From their desk they can greet users or move to the waiting room to do the same. Then they either notify users that their table is ready from their desk (portrayed by the red speech bubble), or they call customers names. The hostess then can guide guests to tables and notify the staff. The only manager movements are indicated in yellow to watch the floor, to be in the office, to report to a table when requested, and to oversee deliveries/issues. The manager interaction with APPetite is in black, which are computed on the office computer.
the strip mall/restaurant provides convenience for both the user and the host/hostess due to the fact that they don’t have to travel on foot far. In addition, the proximity draws in customers. Furthermore, the two stores provide both entertainment and a distraction for users waiting for their tables, or potential customers inside the stores may be drawn to the restaurant establishment because of how close it is. Given that the stores are so close, the users can easily put their names on a waiting list through their phone, and wait until just before their table is ready to head over to the restaurant. The food court provides competition with its close proximity in relation to the establishment. Next, we see two grocery vendors outside the back of the strip mall and a delivery area directly attached to the restaurant’s kitchen. This is convenient for the staff and the vendors (they can pull right in), and it also doesn’t ruin the restaurant’s atmosphere for the customers.
Next we can move to aspects within the establishment. Four signs are present and consistent from previous models: sign 1 (the entrance sign), sign 2 (the welcome sign), sign 3, (the “employees only” sign), and sign 4 (the sign
for the restrooms). These signs serve as visual aids for all patrons, staff, and people in the restaurant, and they express where they can and cannot go, in addition to where things are located. The pink stars throughout the restaurant are each telephones, but, depending on their area, are only for specific uses and users. For example, at the bar anyone can use the phone, at the hostess stand only the hostess can conduct calls and they must be for the business, and in the employee area any employee can access a the phone for whatever reason. The spacing between tables on the floor provides convenience for all persons within the restaurant. Two areas that provide additional seating for users waiting are the waiting area at the entrance, and the bar. Both these areas ensure that the clutter within the front of the restaurant floor is reduced to a minimum. Finally, the host stand provides an organized area for the host to attend to, the guests to report to, and for the host duties to be managed from.
Each stakeholder has a corresponding color for their physical actions within the physical environment. The user is blue. User movements can be seen from the parking lot, to the host desk then either to their table or to the waiting room. From the table the user may move to the bathroom, which they see from sign 4, or to another table to greet other guests. The blue speech bubbles indicate how the app and the user interact at three points: outside the restaurant they check-in/view wait times, within the waiting area the buzzing notification for their party is received and they present a coupon to their waiter from the app at their table. Moving forward, the host/hostess movements are red. They arrive at work and report to stand, where they can organize menus, update wait-times, or check availability from the computer. From their desk they can greet users or move to the waiting room to do the same. Then they either notify users that their table is ready from their desk (portrayed by the red speech bubble), or they call customers names. The hostess then can guide guests to tables and notify the staff. The only manager movements are indicated in yellow to watch the floor, to be in the office, to report to a table when requested, and to oversee deliveries/issues. The manager interaction with APPetite is in black, which are computed on the office computer.
Reasons For Modifications:
This explanation was modified to include the interaction of the stores with the user. One of the main advantages of our application is the user knowing how long they have until their table is ready and being able to occupy their time accordingly. With nearby shops, they are able to better fill their time with activity instead of waiting outside of the restaurant.
Consolidated Flow Model
Consolidated Flow Model Explanation
In the consolidated flow model, the stakeholders are all communicating with each other in order to overall reserve a table at a restaurant. This diagram is bringing in all of the individual flow model diagrams together. In this consolidated flow model, it starts with the user choosing if they are either walking or if they are driving. Once that is figured out, the user then uses the application service to place a reservation request for the restaurant. If there is availability the user will be able to get a table. In addition, the user will receive a notification on how long the wait would be and then be
notified when the table is actually ready via text. In addition, if they do not show up the hostess has the ability to forfeit the table. The host will then interact with the restaurant/manager if something is wrong, or if they need help. The manager/restaurant will check all the reservations made and communicate with the host if something else is needed or that it is not okay to proceed. The manager/ restaurant is there to make sure that things go well throughout the restaurant. They will also provide the user offers, and incentives to come back to the restaurant via the users use of the application. The user on the other side will talk to the manager/ restaurant if they need something from them, like if the application fails to work.
notified when the table is actually ready via text. In addition, if they do not show up the hostess has the ability to forfeit the table. The host will then interact with the restaurant/manager if something is wrong, or if they need help. The manager/restaurant will check all the reservations made and communicate with the host if something else is needed or that it is not okay to proceed. The manager/ restaurant is there to make sure that things go well throughout the restaurant. They will also provide the user offers, and incentives to come back to the restaurant via the users use of the application. The user on the other side will talk to the manager/ restaurant if they need something from them, like if the application fails to work.
Reasons for Modification:
These changes are highlighted in bold and in the diagram. These changes were made in order to have the application present in the models and in the descriptions. The information came from the second interviews conducted.
Consolidated Cultural Model
Consolidated Cultural Model Explanation
The consolidated cultural model combines the entities, interactions, and relationships of the three individual stakeholder models. The overall goal of this model to represent how the needs and relationships of various stakeholders affect the ways in which the restaurant seating process is performed. This model contains several entities in addition to our three stakeholders. The reason for this is that only the hostess, user, and restaurant will be involved with the actual use of the app. The model is structured into entities, which are represented by bubbles; interactions, which are represented with arrows and a specific caption which exemplifies the nature of the interaction; and overlaps of bubbles, which represents relationships among the entities. The model shows how the user is related to their co-diners and the restaurant culture through the hostess and staff, and potentially in the future, the app. The restaurant itself and the owner do not overlap with the user because they will rarely ever interact; instead the user general interacts with the restaurant culture only through the hostess and server. The insights of this model are useful; however they cannot be implemented without the insights of the other models as well.
Reasons for Modification
The consolidated cultural model was updated to add the future cultural conditions in which the App will be used. Additional information was received via the follow-up stakeholder interview which was relevant to the current and
projected cultural dynamics.
projected cultural dynamics.