Screenshot of Spire’s ‘Opportunity Explorer,’ a feature that enables students to find involvement opportunities tailored to their desired professional competencies.

Introduction

Facing the challenge of aligning traditional education with the evolving needs of employers and the aspirations of graduates, the University of Michigan introduced Spire, a platform designed to address the critical need for competency-based education.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education and employment, traditional degrees and coursework no longer suffice in demonstrating graduates’ professional competencies. Recognizing this gap, the University of Michigan launched Spire, an innovative platform designed to address the urgent need for competency-based education.

This case study delves into the research I led to assess Spire’s product-market fit and enhance its user experience, aligning it with the needs of students navigating their career readiness journey.

Motivation and Opportunity Space

Spire was born out of the growing interest from various schools within the University of Michigan, including the College of Engineering, Ross School of Business, School of Public Health, and the Medical School, in competency-based education. The shift was driven by employers’ increasing demand to evaluate and distinguish graduates based on professional competencies, beyond what traditional degrees could convey. While this area is still exploratory, with many academic institutions and private companies testing the waters, Spire’s approach stands out for its gameful design. This unique approach encourages students to “level up” in their chosen competencies and earn competency badges they can post on LinkedIn.

Project Duration

February – April 2023

Objective

To inform Spire’s product strategy and user experience enhancements by understanding student mental models, identifying opportunities for improved alignment and refining the core value proposition and feature set.

Impact

Product-Market Fit: Provided empirical evidence to refine Spire’s alignment with current educational and market demands.
UX Enhancements: Identified specific user experience barriers and opportunities, leading to targeted improvements in Spire’s design and functionality.
Strategic Insights: Delivered actionable insights for Spire’s ongoing development, informing future feature expansions and adjustments to the core value proposition.
Educational Influence: Contributed to the broader discourse on competency-based education by showcasing Spire’s potential impact and areas for growth.

Role and Responsibilities