Getting Started with YNAB
A Rise course, informing clients of the benefits of using YNAB to manage their finances. Walks the user through the steps of setting up and managing a budget using YNAB software.
Problem and Solution
The envelope method of budgeting is effective but cumbersome. The user divides up their income into envelopes labeled with the category the money is to be used for. The major downside to this is having to work with cash. There are many benefits of using online accounts. Enter, YNAB! You Need a Budget is software that takes the concept of budgeting with the envelope method and digitizes it for the modern world.
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YNAB is comprehensive and can be overwhelming to new users. This project was created to guide users through the process of setting up their account with YNAB and teaching the basic skills needed to be a successful, content user.
My Process
Storyboarding
As a long-time YNAB user, I started by gathering feedback from users who were unfamiliar with the software. This information drove the course planning, allowing me to tailor the learning experience to new users. I used the new users' significant confusion points to guide my outline and, later, my storyboard. There are three main sections: Introduction, Setting Up Your Budget, and Living Your Budget. I broke down all the steps of the process into small, digestible chunks.
Development
The development of this course was a delicate balance of engaging interaction and conciseness. I wanted the user to remain engaged while also receiving the most pertinent information and skills. I created the course as a guide. It is intended to be completed while the user sets up the software in real time.
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I created engagement through interactivity using several types of blocks in Articulate Rise. There are accordion, labeled graphic, process, sorting activity, flashcard grid, and button interaction blocks throughout the entire course.
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After noticing an area of confusion in creating categories or category groups, I made an infographic as an additional learning tool to supplement the content on that subject.
It was tough to balance the need for conciseness while maintaining a comprehensive software overview. After feedback, I added additional interaction to the last portion of the course and further broke down the information in that section into more digestible sections.
Takeaways
As a long-time YNAB user, I started by gathering feedback from users who were unfamiliar with the software. This information drove the course planning, allowing me to tailor the learning experience to new users. I used the new users' significant confusion points to guide my outline and, later, my storyboard. There are three main sections: Introduction, Setting Up Your Budget, and Living Your Budget. I broke down all the steps of the process into small, digestible chunks.