Outpost

From

Validation to V1

Turning a Wizard of Oz MVP into scalable software in 12 weeks.

Project Overview

Outpost solves the challenge of providing remote workers with fully equipped hotel room workstations. As Head of Product & Design at Flux Bucket, I led a small team to turn a Wizard of Oz MVP into scalable software. Our approach was fast, focused, and cost-efficient, delivering exactly what the founders needed to grow the business without adding complexity.

Team

Myself - Lead Designer & Project Manager
Engineering Lead
Outpost's 2 Cofounders

Project Goals

Build an internal tool to streamline and automate operational processes
Merge software and hardware technology to increase automation and remove human error
Move as quickly as possible to get a working solution and unlock new revenue opportunities

Results & Impact

Able to automate 90% of Outpost’s high touch Wizard of Oz MVP with a hardware / software solution
Reduced human error by half
Created 100% system visibility by incorporating an RFID bacon system
Went from ideation to full functional solution in 12 weeks time
In the 3 months after launch, the Outpost was able grow their customers from 6 hotel partners to over 20

Chapter 1

A Wizard of Oz MVP ready for the big leagues

When OutPost Travel Rental approached us, they had a thriving yet manually intensive business supplying full workstation setups—complete with dual monitors, docks, and peripherals—to remote professionals staying in hotels. Their "Wizard of Oz" MVP had successfully validated the concept, but scaling was hindered by laborious processes like manual data transfer and coordination with hotel staff. As the lead product manager and designer, I spearheaded a team alongside the founders and our lead engineer to transform their operations. We developed an automated internal tool that streamlined everything from bookings to equipment setup and turnover. Focusing on user experience and interaction design, we revolutionized their business into a scalable model within a limited budget and tight timeline.

Chapter 2

In-depth research and process mapping

We began our partnership with in-depth user research, gaining critical insights into user needs and pain points that would drive the project's success. Building on this understanding, I led a comprehensive process mapping exercise to visually represent every system, role, and interaction within OutPost’s service delivery. Previously confined to lengthy text documents that limited strategic visibility, these workflows became clear and actionable once externalized. By visualizing the process, we could analyze and iterate with clarity, uncovering critical vulnerabilities—such as the reliance on stable hotel staff—and identifying previously unseen gaps. This foundational exercise yielded actionable insights, setting the stage for innovative solutions that enabled OutPost’s business to scale effectively and resiliently.

Chapter 3

Facilitating Innovation

Building on the core issues and insights we identified, I led our team through facilitated ideation sessions to swiftly generate innovative solutions. Leveraging my strength in creative product design and management, I excel at connecting seemingly disparate ideas to uncover unique opportunities. Together, we brainstormed a multitude of bold concepts to tackle the challenges ahead. To prioritize these ideas, we used dot voting to capture team preferences and then conducted a 2x2 analysis, mapping the most critical variables affecting our decisions. This externalization of our thought process allowed us to view our ideas from new perspectives, revealing patterns we hadn't seen before. Ultimately, we converged on key concepts that became the driving force behind the functionality of our new system solution.

Chapter 4

Rapid Prototyping. Rapid Feedback. Rapid Iteration.

Once we solidified the key concepts of our solution, I spearheaded the rapid prototyping phase using low-fidelity wireframes to quickly translate ideas into tangible forms. Understanding that effective product management means applying the right tools at the right time, I recognized that this project didn't require extensive branding or high-fidelity visuals beyond what enhanced functionality and usability. By focusing on rapid prototyping, we established quick feedback loops, allowing us to iterate in days rather than weeks. Collaborating closely with our exceptionally talented engineer, we transitioned wireframes into working models on the fly. This approach not only saved significant time and resources but also kept our team laser-focused on the solution's core functionality. Ultimately, we delivered a robust product that underwent numerous iterations more efficiently than typical processes at larger companies, showcasing our ability to prioritize what truly matters and deliver exceptional value swiftly.

Chapter 5

Innovation with Hardware

One of the most exciting breakthroughs of this project was the integration of innovative hardware: RFID technology. By incorporating RFID tags and beacons, we achieved real-time visibility of all units as they moved through the physical world, transforming our solution’s capabilities. This technology enabled continuous tracking and drastically reduced the need for human intervention, nearly eliminating human error. Our lead engineer’s experience with RFID in large-scale warehouse environments made this a perfect fit, elevating our solution beyond typical software development to true systems design. This fusion of hardware and software allowed us to deliver a sophisticated, seamless operation—a design challenge that was as functional as it was elegant.

Chapter 6

Innovation with Technology

At our agency, a dedicated Laravel Software Product Development studio, we prefer to work with Laravel PHP not because because it’s the preferred choice of many of the best developers in the world. Laravel offers unmatched flexibility and scalability, attracting developers who strive for excellence. In implementing OutPost’s solution, we used a Laravel package called Filament, tailored for building dashboards, admin control panels, and form-driven applications. Filament was an ideal fit, enabling us to create a robust, user-friendly system. Our choice of Laravel and Filament set OutPost up for long-term success, providing a flexible, scalable foundation for a reliable, future-proof solution.

Chapter 6
‍

V1 Launched.
Growth Unlocked.

In just three months post-launch, OutPost’s new technology solution empowered the founders to expand from 6 to over 20 hotels, achieving a level of operational scale they couldn’t previously imagine. With 90% of the manual processes automated, human error slashed in half, and complete system visibility unlocked through RFID technology, OutPost was positioned for sustainable growth. Our work didn’t just build a product—it created a future-ready platform, transforming a high-touch, manual operation into a streamlined, scalable business model that would continue driving value as they grow.