How To Stay In Control Of Your Web or Mobile Product

Having software built by a third party introduces some unknowns. You are supplying your ideas, goals, and requirements among other things. But these are largely intangible.

It is up to your software firm to work with you until they are sure that they understand what you want. Then it is up to them to deliver your web or mobile app it in a way that:

• Looks great
• Supports your brand
• Is easy to use for your users and meets their needs
• Meets your original goals and requirements
• Is technically sound (relevant technologies, good architecture, security, maintainable code, etc.)

It can be scary for a product owner to put his or her web or mobile project in the hands and rightfully so.

In the above video, Construx Solutions shares their story on how they realized they had lost control of their product and were at risk of meeting their launch schedule, and then how they got it back on track.

If you are not a technology expert, how can you feel empowered to get the right product built and to the finish line on time?

You can start by asking direct questions.

Questions For Getting The Product You Want

Below are a set questions you can ask yourself and your project team to make sure you are staying in control of your product and getting the software solution you imagined and need.

Listen to the answers you are given. Are they thoughtful, detailed and aimed at helping to educate you? Or are they short, impatient and indirect?

• Can you explain what is unique about my business and why this app is important to us?
• Can you explain why my users will benefit from this app?
• How will you incorporate my branding and make the app user-friendly for my particular users?
• What success criteria are you using to evaluate if the project is a success or not?
• What technologies are you using and why are they the best fit for my project? Are there other technologies you considered but decided against? Why?
• What architecture methodologies and principals are you following and why are you recommending this approach for my app?
• What steps are you taking to make sure my app implements the necessary security and compliance rules based on my industry and needs?
• What steps are you taking to make sure my app will last, where I can maintain it and make changes to it easily over the next several years?
• Is there anything about my app, business or users that seem unclear to you that I can elaborate on?
• How comfortable are you with delivering my app? Is it more or less complicated than other apps you are working on today?

Conclusion

By being proactive and encouraging lines of communication, you will start to build a stronger relationship with your software partner and will identify early on if they are not a good fit for your company and your project.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are worried about finishing your application, then feel free to give us a call. We are not right for all projects, but we have helped dozens of companies to rescue their troubled projects and get them across the finish line.

We want to help every software project begin on solid ground. In The 5 Pillars Of A Successful Software Project we share the five essential ingredients of every software project.

You can grab a copy of the guide below and share it with your team!