The first thing a user will see is the login page of the app. Ideally, we can implement a login feature as well as the option to log in using Google or Facebook accounts. The app should also have an option to continue as a guest without signing up for an account so users can try out the application without too much commitment. In the distant future, I do think having user accounts will be beneficial for recording and predicting individual user and group preferences.

This app should allow one person to be the host and create a party for the entire group who are going to enjoy a meal together. We decided to use the word “flock” to represent the party as if the group is a flock of chickens. Other members of the group can also join an existing flock if they are not the host themselves.

After the host clicks on creating a flock, the host can pick if the group wants to pick out a restaurant immediately or later. Then the host will need to pick a time limit so every member in the group needs to make their own decision within a reasonable time. The host will also need to pick a location and a range for the app to find nearby restaurants.

MVP:

• Select time of meal

• Enter the latitude and longitude of the desired location

Additional:

• Set a time limit

• Use the host’s location

• Search location by address, city, or zipcode

• Set radius

After the host created the flock or other users have joined the flock, a waiting page may be displayed before picking out restaurants. When all users are ready, then everyone can start picking out the restaurants they want to go to.

MVP:

• Short message indicating the wait

Additional:

• Show who has or hasn’t joined

After the host created the flock, he or she also has to share the flock information with other members of the flock. The easiest of implementing this function is to create a flock id and let others join by typing in the id. Of course, it is also convenient to simply share a link with the flock id as the query parameter so other members-only have to click on the link and join the flock. QR code is also another easy to invite other people nearby.

MVP:

• Generate and join by flock id

• Get request with flock id as query parameter let users automatically join the flock

Additional:

• Share the link using the address book

• Share link using QR code

After the voting process has started, the limited number of top-rate restaurants around the target location will be shown one at a time. Each card (page) of the restaurant will contain the name, address, distance (from target location), rating, and some images. Users can scroll down to view more detail about each restaurant to make a quick decision on whether or not to eat in the restaurant.

MVP:

• Restaurant name
• One image
• Address

Additional:

• Distance from the target location
• Ratings (stars)
• Menu
• Hours
• Contact information
• Special Features (e.g. accessibility)

After each person has voted by swiping left for dislike (+0), right for like(+1), and up for love (+2), the total score of each restaurant will be summed up and the restaurant with the top score will be presented to every member of the flock. However, it is possible to have ties. If there is a tie, the top few options will be voted on again using the same mechanism. This situation can also be resolved using the rating and distance from the target location as well.

MVP:

• Automatically pick the restaurant with the best rating and/or close to the target location
  Additional
• Let the flock vote again on the most-liked restaurant

After a decision is made by the flock, additional details about the restaurant will be shown, including options to navigate to the restaurant, contact information, and link to other services for delivery/takeout options (e.g. DoorDash, UberEats…). The restaurant can also be shared with others and the group can decide to try to vote again.

MVP:

• Show basic information about the restaurant (same as the voting page)
• Share restaurants result via a link
• Restart voting

Additional:

• Show contact information
• Redirect to navigation app (Google/Apple maps)
• Redirect delivery/takeout services (DoorDash, UberEats…)