Making the Case For An Edge Case — Ride Sharing Apps

As a product manager, you are conditioned to solve for the “mainstream use case” or “core use case.” This refers to scenarios that are typical, common, and widely encountered by the majority of users. These are the primary situations and functionalities for which a product is designed, and they represent the central focus of the product development process.

Mainstream or Core Use Cases

When you focus on the “mainstream use case” or “core use case,” you are designing for the common situations most users will encounter. These are:

• Frequent: Happen often and involve many users.
• Predictable: Easy to anticipate and plan for.
• Essential: Involve the main features and functions of the product.

By focusing on these, you ensure the product meets the main needs of most users, providing a strong overall user experience.

Edge Cases

An edge case is a rare or unusual situation that happens under extreme conditions. It is not the main focus but can affect a few users. These are:

• Infrequent: Happen rarely and involve few users.
• Unpredictable: Hard to foresee and may not come up in standard testing.
• Specialized: Involve unique needs beyond common use cases.

Benefits of Addressing Edge Cases in Product Design

Addressing edge cases can greatly improve the overall user experience. When product managers focus on these rare issues, they often find innovative solutions that help all users. Here’s why solving edge cases is beneficial:

• Inclusivity and Accessibility: Designing for edge cases, like those involving disabilities, makes the product accessible to more people. This improves usability for everyone by making the interface clearer and easier to use.
• Robustness: Addressing edge cases makes the product more reliable and reduces bugs and crashes by anticipating potential problems.
• Innovation: Solving unique challenges can lead to new features and improvements that benefit all users.
• User Satisfaction: Meeting the needs of users with unique requirements increases satisfaction and loyalty, leading to higher user retention and advocacy.
• Compliance and Reputation: Ensuring the product meets the needs of all users, including those in edge cases, helps comply with legal standards and protects the company’s reputation.

Make the Case for an Edge Case — Ride Sharing Apps

Consider this edge case: A person with a cognitive disability secures the rare opportunity to step outside their home environment to access education or work. Most of these individuals depend on family members or friends for transportation. If their support network is unavailable, they often stay home, feeling isolated. Many have anxiety about taking public transportation or ride-sharing options due to interactions with strangers. Family and friends also worry about safety and reliability.

Exploring the Solution

By addressing this edge case, ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft can develop innovative solutions that benefit not only people with disabilities but also children, the elderly, or anyone uncomfortable with the unknown. 

Here’s a proposed solution:

• Vetted Drivers: Create a pool of drivers who are specially trained and vetted for understanding the needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Scheduled Rides: Allow users to build a weekly or monthly schedule with the same driver for each trip.
• Fixed Rates: Offer a negotiable weekly or monthly rate for these scheduled rides.

Benefits of the Proposed Solution

• For Drivers: Guarantees regular rides and ongoing business.
• For Riders: Creates a sense of security, familiarity, and assurance.

This solution addresses the unique needs of individuals with cognitive disabilities while enhancing the overall user experience for a broader audience. By focusing on this edge case, ride-sharing apps can become more inclusive and innovative, ultimately benefiting all users.

In Conclusion

By addressing edge cases, product managers can unlock new opportunities for innovation and inclusivity, creating a product that truly serves the needs of all users. In the context of ride-sharing apps, catering to the specific needs of individuals with cognitive disabilities not only improves their quality of life but also enhances the service for other vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. This approach fosters a sense of security, reliability, and trust, which are essential components of a positive user experience.

Implementing solutions like vetted drivers, scheduled rides, and fixed rates for these edge cases transforms potential barriers into bridges, enabling a broader range of users to benefit from the convenience and efficiency of ride-sharing services. By prioritizing these seemingly minor issues, ride-sharing companies can lead the way in creating a more inclusive and innovative transportation ecosystem, ensuring that everyone can enjoy safe, reliable, and accessible rides.

At the Accidental Ally, we are creating career pathways for people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities. A big aspect of our work depends on the availability of accessible transportation. It is a critical component of building financial independence. We need to address this barrier and build bridges for people with disabilities to access easy, convenient, safe, and cost-effective transportation.