Who is doing the task?
Mark and Ken have both expressed interest in meeting up and have approved each other’s requests. Now, they need to finalize their meetup details in a way that feels natural, effortless, and reassuring.
For Mark, this is about seamlessly transitioning from a digital interaction to an in-person conversation. He wants to make sure that meeting up is straightforward, comfortable, and stress-free for both of them. He also wants to minimize logistical friction—finding each other should be easy, not awkward or frustrating.
For Ken, who is naturally more reserved, having a clear, structured plan in place helps reduce anxiety. He doesn’t want to be left wondering where to go, how to find Mark, or whether the meetup will even happen as expected. He values predictability and reassurance, and a well-organized meetup helps him feel more confident about following through.
Where is the task being done?
This task takes place after both users have approved the meetup request and entered the chat interface. They are still within the app but are now shifting their focus from browsing to logistics.
- Mark and Ken may be chatting from different locations (dorms, campus, home), but the common factor is that they are planning an in-person interaction that will happen in a specific location (Mac Hall, Bake Chef, etc.).
- This is an important transition point, from the digital environment to the real world.
What is the goal of the person doing the task?
The goal is to make the meetup as smooth and stress-free as possible by establishing key details ahead of time. This includes:
- Agreeing on an exact location (e.g., outside Bake Chef).
- Setting a time that works for both.
- Ensuring they can easily find each other.
- Providing an option to share real-time location if needed.
- Reassuring both participants that the meetup is confirmed and happening as planned.
For Mark, the goal is to make sure there’s no ambiguity so that neither he nor Ken feels lost or unsure about what’s happening.
For Ken, the goal is to reduce uncertainty and feel reassured that the meetup is set and easy to navigate.
When is the task being done and how long should it take?
- Immediately after both users approve the request.
- The actual planning should take less than a minute or two. It should be quick, intuitive, and reassuring.
- The real-world meetup happens at the agreed-upon time (e.g., 12:00 PM at Bake Chef).
Detailed Task Flow
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Initiating the Conversation
- Mark sends a casual but direct message to Ken:
- “Hey Ken! Want to meet beside Bake Chef at 12:00 PM?”
- Ken responds enthusiastically but simply:
- “Sure! Let’s do it!”
- Mark sends a casual but direct message to Ken:
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Finalizing the Details
- Mark schedules his location to be shared at 11:58 AM, ensuring Ken can easily find him.
- A small confirmation message appears in the chat:
- “Mark has scheduled his location to be shared at 11:58 AM.”
- This provides reassurance to Ken that Mark is serious about meeting up and that he won’t be left guessing.
-
Pre-Meetup Coordination
- As the clock approaches 11:57, Mark receives a reminder notification, confirming if he still wants to share his location.
- Mark, speed-walking from class to Bake Chef, confirms the location share.
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Finding Each Other
- Ken receives Mark’s location at 11:58 AM, making it easy to navigate directly to him.
- When Mark sees Ken looking around, he waves to get his attention.
-
Meetup Begins
- They sit down, order food, and start their conversation.
- They begin with casual introductions but quickly transition into sharing their experiences and thoughts on university life.
Why This Task Matters
This transition from digital planning to an in-person meetup is a critical moment in the user experience. The way this is handled can shape how users feel about the app overall.
- Reduces social anxiety – Having clear steps removes guesswork and makes the meetup feel structured.
- Ensures a seamless transition – The process feels natural rather than forced.
- Builds trust in the platform – Users feel that the app supports them from start to finish.
- Makes meeting new people less stressful – Both users feel confident and reassured rather than nervous or uncertain.