Building Ideas Using Custom Software
There are many ways to execute on designing and developing any type of custom software. The process becomes more difficult when adding factors such as working with a team, client needs, or time constraints. Communication between all individuals needs to be clear and consistent, with a single focus on what the end result is. Weak communication will cause long feedback loops that can waste a lot of time and apply stress to the budget. The development is helped when there is a structure and a plan to work from.
Our Discovery Process
Creating something from nothing is not easy. It takes someone thinking of an idea, along with the skill and capacity to bring the idea to life. When we have a new project, we will pitch our Discovery process. This is where we run the idea through several phases for two main reasons: to find the core functionality of the idea, and to determine the simplest way to present that to the end-user. This end result is considered a Minimum Viable Product, or MVP.
What is an MVP?
The MVP is an application that is efficient and is a foundation for expanding the uses of the application. We want to make sure that the MVP can stand on its own. It should deliver the desired results, with the least amount of friction to the user experience. The development process can get hung up in discussions that focus on the trees and not the overall forest of the project.
Tech Debt
If broken communication continues, the product can change in many different areas. Changing the code base frequently creates opportunities for more problems. These changes can come at a cost, which we refer to as Tech Debt. It takes time to make changes to code, and setting up environments for users to test takes resources. We want to avoid work that will take away from the resources needed for the project.
Discovery Process Breakdown
All phases will have meetings and allotted time to work in between. This includes brainstorming, designing, and development. The overall process will not advance to the next phase without client approval first.
Gathering Information - Discussions with clients to figure out their overall idea. We try to find its struggles and goals. This comes with researching the industry and competitors.
Design - Flowcharts and Wireframes help give the idea a face. They bridge the gap between the client and development team on what is going to be the end result.
Mocks and Prototyping - Being able to see and interact with the software will give you more information. It will show you how it will perform in the intended user's hands.
Create MVP - Having a prototype to work from creates a road map for building out an MVP in the quickest amount of time. Once completed, the app can be tested and updated based on feedback.
The Sprint Process
The Design Sprint is a five-day process for answering critical business questions through design, prototyping, and testing ideas with customers. A small team of individuals is gathered that are related to the environment the solution would be implemented into and those who would be a part of the construction. The process is broken up by the five weekdays, mapping, ideating, designing, prototyping, and testing.
Final Thoughts
There will never be a perfect process to cover all cases for figuring out the best software solution for a proposed problem, but there are several processes out there to help. Both the Design Sprint and Discovery procedures, or even a hybrid of both, can aid in bringing together ideas and forming a solution. Ready to build something? Start a project with us and we will be happy to help!