Modo Rua: Redefining App Development through User-Centered Iteration

Written by Bruno Saldes, Marcelo Piva and Tatiana Sampaio

Creating a successful application requires more than just exceptional features and functionalities. It demands a deep understanding of user needs, continual improvement, and the ability to adapt to ever-evolving challenges. In this blog post, we will take you on a journey through the development process of our innovative application, focusing on the transformative power of user feedback and the iterative approach we employ to ensure its success. 

Join us as we explore the application’s overview, the challenges faced during development, insights derived from a transcripted interview, the significance of user feedback, and the iterative development process. Together, we will uncover how user-centricity and constant refinement lay the foundation for an exceptional application experience.

Our application aims to revolutionize the way users interact with technology, providing a seamless and intuitive experience. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative features, we strive to empower users and enhance their daily lives. Through meticulous design and development, we have crafted an application that offers a wide range of features and functionalities, catering to diverse user needs.

The idea for Modo Rua, or Street Mode, was born out of a deep understanding of our customers’ needs and behaviors. We conducted a survey to understand whether customers felt secure using Nubank. 

The results were intriguing. Many people, despite verbally expressing a sense of safety, had developed some rituals before leaving their homes. Imagine a young woman, about to leave her apartment for a day in the city, and logging out of her Nubank app before doing so. Or a father, preparing to take his kids to the park, but reducing his credit card limit before that. Or even an elderly person, planning to visit a local bakery, but leaving the phone with the Nubank app at home and taking another phone instead.

These were not isolated incidents, but a pattern that emerged from the survey. 

These actions, these rituals, were their way of creating a safety net around their financial lives. In other words, they were preparing themselves for the uncertainties of the outside world. The Nubank team, noticing this trend, realized that their customers were seeking to manually add or create additional layers of security when they ventured out. 

This understanding of their customers’ unique rituals sparked a lightbulb moment. What if they could provide an extra layer of security that would make their customers feel safer?

What if they could integrate this safety net into their app? And thus, the idea for Modo Rua was born. A feature designed to provide an extra layer of protection, mirroring the manual steps their customers were already taking, but making it simpler, more intuitive, and integrated into the very fabric of the Nubank app.

Modo Rua has arrived to provide an extra layer of protection for the Nubank app. Here’s how it works: people choose trusted Wi-Fi networks, such as their home or those of their family members. When they’re out and about, the app limits the value of transfers via Pix, TED, and bill payments. The best part? People have control over setting this limit, ensuring that their money remains secure even if their phone is stolen or lost.

We understand that we can’t always control our environment. In situations where the risk of theft is higher, activating Modo Rua on the Nubank app eliminates at least one headache. This is an innovative feature designed to provide enhanced security for our customer’s money, exclusively available on Nubank.

Soon, additional functions like loan requests and card purchases will also be included in this tool. However, even if a criminal manages to obtain a loan, Modo Rua will prevent the funds from leaving your account beyond the established limit. This feature is a testament to our commitment to continually innovate and improve the way users manage their finances, providing them with the peace of mind they deserve. Check this blog post to know how Modo Rua works.

Developing an application of this scale comes with its fair share of challenges. From technical complexities to stringent timelines, our team encountered obstacles that demanded creative solutions. However, we embraced these challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement. Our commitment to delivering a top-notch application pushed us to find innovative approaches to overcome obstacles and provide an exceptional user experience.

User Limit Settings and Identity Verification

One of the significant challenges we faced was many customers setting their limits too low or even to zero. This behavior led to an excess of identity validations, creating friction and causing churn. We are still grappling with the challenge of understanding and suggesting the best limit for each customer based on their behavior.

WiFi Network Configuration

We also noticed that many of our customers had no WiFi network configured. This lack of configuration meant that customers were challenged even at home, causing dissatisfaction and churn. We are currently working on ways to encourage customers to register more WiFi networks to reduce friction.

Technology Selection for Customer Safety

In the early stages of development, we faced the challenge of determining which technology to use to identify whether a customer is in a safe location. It was crucial to ensure that this technology could not be manipulated by fraudsters.

Building an application is not a one-time endeavor; it is an ongoing process of refinement and enhancement. We understand that technology evolves rapidly, and user expectations continue to rise. Therefore, we emphasize the need for continuous improvement and updates. By actively seeking user feedback and iteratively developing our application, we ensure that it remains relevant, efficient, and user-friendly.

Modo Rua is more than just a typical application; it embodies a paradigm shift in development approaches. By placing the user at the core of its design philosophy, Modo Rua fosters an environment where user feedback and iterative development drive continuous improvement.

Embracing Interactive Testing and User Feedback

Modo Rua’s development process places a strong emphasis on interactive testing and user feedback. Unlike traditional approaches that involve lengthy development cycles, Modo Rua thrives on real-time user engagement, enabling continuous iterations based on valuable insights and suggestions.

The Journey from Concept to Reality

At the inception of Modo Rua, we tested a series of concepts and prototypes with real customers. This iterative process allowed us to refine the look and feel of Modo Rua, ensuring it would provide an optimal user experience.

Internal Testing: Nubankers Lead the Way

Before launching any feature, we believe in rigorous internal testing. The first people to test Modo Rua were Nubankers themselves. This internal testing phase is crucial to ensure that we are offering high-quality products to our customers.

Collaborative Testing with the NuCommunity

After internal testing, we released the feature to the NuCommunity. Their valuable input helped us identify a series of bugs and opportunities for improvement. For instance, they highlighted the need for customers to add more than one WiFi network as a safe location.

Utilizing Metrics for Feedback

We also collect customer feedback through various metrics. These metrics help us understand the number of customers using the feature, where customers abandon the process, the main difficulties they are facing, and how they configure their protections. This data-driven approach allows us to continually refine and improve Modo Rua.

Direct Customer Feedback

Finally, we have a feedback survey within the Modo Rua menu where customers can tell us what they think of the product and suggest improvements. This direct line of communication with our customers is invaluable in our product development process.This customer-centric approach is at the heart of how we develop products at Nubank. We are always focused on delivering the best possible product to our customers, and we believe that their input is crucial to achieving this goal.

Balancing Security and User Experience Challenges

One of the key challenges faced by the Modo Rua team was finding the right balance between security measures and user experience. Ensuring user safety and data protection while maintaining a seamless and intuitive user interface required careful deliberation and innovative solutions.

Overcoming Technical Difficulties and Enhancing User Experience

Modo Rua encountered technical hurdles during its development journey. One such challenge was the identification and resolution of Wi-Fi network issues. By addressing connectivity problems and refining the user experience, Modo Rua sought to provide a seamless and reliable application that users can confidently rely on.

We extend our sincere appreciation to all those who participated in shaping the development of Modo Rua. Your invaluable insights, feedback, and contributions have been instrumental in creating an application that is driven by its users. The journey of Modo Rua is a collaborative effort, and we look forward to further refining and expanding upon the information shared today.

As we continue to evolve Modo Rua, we invite you to join us in this exciting journey. We value your input, suggestions, and ideas for enhancing the application’s functionalities, user experience, and overall impact. Together, let us shape the future of Modo Rua and create an application that empowers users to unlock their full potential.

Modo Rua stands as a testament to the power of user-centric innovation. By embracing user feedback, driving iterative development, and maintaining a delicate balance between user needs and technical requirements, Modo Rua has redefined the landscape of application development. Join us as we revolutionize the way users engage with technology and strive for a more inclusive and impactful digital future.