how to build a mobile app - from ideation to launch
DESCRIPTION
This presentation is meant to be a 40k-Foot view of the mobile application development process. Overall this guide does not meant delve into the iOS or Android programming language instead it is a guide on how to take an idea and develop it into a mobile app.TRANSCRIPT
HOW TO BUILD A MOBILE APP: From Ideation to Launch
Hosted by
http://j.mp/OLfbook
@OysterLabs | #OLMeetup
http://j.mp/OLlinkd
Presented by
Carlos S. Aquino@carlossaquino
Agenda
• INTRODUCTION
• PLANNING
• PRODUCTION
• Q / A
• LAUNCH (YAY!)
INTRODUCTION
What does it take to build a mobile app?
• Ideation
• Fundamentals
Let’s lay the ground work
PRODUCTION PERSPECTIVESHigh-level maxims: food for thought
• Always look for the path of least resistance, orOCCAM’S RAZOR: the simplest explanation is usually the correct one
• PROGRAMMING / DEVELOPMENT: Although sequential and iterative it is NOT linear
• You are learning a new language, culture & world;be patient with yourself and those around you
• Technical Production is a craft, akin to making art - don’t rush it
Ideation
What does that mean?
How do I start?
Do I have to buy it?
Nothing is stronger than an idea whose time has come. VICTOR HUGO
What are the most important costs inherent in our business model? Which Key Resources are most expensive? Which Key Activities are most expensive?
Through which Channels do our Customer Segments want to be reached? How are we reaching them now?How are our Channels integrated? Which ones work best?Which ones are most cost-efficient? How are we integrating them with customer routines?
For what value are our customers really willing to pay?For what do they currently pay? How are they currently paying? How would they prefer to pay? How much does each Revenue Stream contribute to overall revenues?
For whom are we creating value?Who are our most important customers?
What type of relationship does each of our CustomerSegments expect us to establish and maintain with them?Which ones have we established? How are they integrated with the rest of our business model?How costly are they?
What value do we deliver to the customer?Which one of our customer’s problems are we helping to solve? What bundles of products and services are we offering to each Customer Segment?Which customer needs are we satisfying?
What Key Activities do our Value Propositions require?Our Distribution Channels? Customer Relationships?Revenue streams?
Who are our Key Partners? Who are our key suppliers?Which Key Resources are we acquiring from partners?Which Key Activities do partners perform?
What Key Resources do our Value Propositions require?Our Distribution Channels? Customer Relationships?Revenue Streams?
Day Month Year
No.
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Validate Your Idea• What is your idea?
• How does it work?
• Is there a market?
• Does it make money?
1
FundamentalsWhat are you building?
PoCMVPV1
=
PoCProof of Concept
MVPMinimal Viable Product
V1Version 1
Scale Small Medium Large
Utility None Minimal Most
Complexity Low Modest High
Timeframe Shortest Optimal Longest
How much money you got?Determining what you should build...
PoCProof of Concept
MVPMinimal Viable Product
V1Version 1
Scale Small Medium Large
Utility None Minimal Most
Complexity Low Modest High
Timeframe Shortest Optimal Longest
Determining what you should build...What I almost always try to recommend
ROLES: You & Your Idea
PLANNINGReally getting Your Idea out of your head
Building Your Idea’s blueprintThere are 3 components to a planning stage
Spec Doc
Use-Cases
Wireframes
Spec Doc• ‘Specifications Document’• Documentation of how app features work• Identify & memorialize business requirements and
intelligence
Use-Cases
Wireframes
Building Your Idea’s blueprintThere are 3 components to a planning stage
Spec Doc• ‘Specifications Document’• Documentation of how app features work• Identify & memorialize business requirements and
intelligence
Use-Cases• Usage goals clearly defined• Plainspoken, written descriptions; sentence or paragraph• Universal Markup Language (UML) Diagrams
Wireframes
Building Your Idea’s blueprintThere are 3 components to a planning stage
Building Your Idea’s blueprintUML Diagrams Example 1
Building Your Idea’s blueprintUML Diagrams Example 2*
*Thanks S. Chang for the observation
Spec Doc• ‘Specifications Document’• Documentation of how app features work• Identify & memorialize business requirements and
intelligence
Use-Cases• Usage goals clearly defined• Plainspoken, written descriptions; sentence or paragraph• Universal Markup Language (UML) Diagrams
Wireframes• Detail features identified in the Spec Doc • Visualization of Use-Case workflows• Foundation for UI/UX and for designs• Lo-Fidelity or High-Fidelity
Building Your Idea’s blueprintThere are 3 components to a planning stage
Building Your Idea’s blueprint
Lo-Fidelity Wireframes
Hi-Fidelity Wireframes
Building Your Idea’s blueprint
Spec Doc• Specifications Document’• Documentation of how app features work• Identify & memorialize business requirements and
intelligence
Use-Cases• Usage goals clearly defined• Plainspoken, written descriptions; sentence or paragraph• Universal Markup Language (UML) Diagrams
Wireframes• Detail features identified in the Spec Doc • Visualization of Use-Case workflows• Foundation for UI/UX and for designs• Lo-Fidelity or High-Fidelity
ROLES: Information Architect, UI/UX Person, Developer, Designer, Digital Strategist
Building Your Idea’s blueprintThere are 3 components to a planning stage
PRODUCTIONYour Idea == Rubber meets the road
Lifecycle
DESIGN
DEVELOPMENT
Contracting Creative
ContractingContractor Vetting Criteria
DESIGN
Visuals
Logic
Communication
DEVELOPMENT
Tech
Value
Methods
UNIVERSAL
Portfolio
Ownership
Payment
How does their work compare to other apps?Are you impressed? If not, move on.
Does the designer understand your goals?Do designs clearly express their purpose?
Ask for reasons behind designs and styles choices. Is the information well organized or hierarchal.
DESIGN
Visuals
Logic
Communication
ContractingContractor Vetting Criteria
2
How “well prepared” does the dev appear?What type of phone do they have? What apps do they use?
How will the project workflow be managed?Are they an AGILE shop? If not what do they practice?
Is there previous experience in your market segment? Does the dev have a special skill set that’s relevant to Your Idea?
DEVELOPMENT
Tech
Value
Methods
ContractingContractor Vetting Criteria
Review all existing work examplesAsk for previous client references
What are their professional fees? What about 3rd Party fees? And what are the terms?
Determine contractually how the Intellectual Property will be transferred once complete
UNIVERSAL
Portfolio
Ownership
PaymentROLES: Mobile Designer, Mobile Software Engineer & Project Manager
ContractingContractor Vetting Criteria
CreativeAfter hiring your Production Team, be SMART
SpecificMeasurableAttainableRelevantTime-bound
Define, decide and be accountable
Deconstruct and track results
Make a Quality product not a Perfect one
Stay focused, create small successes
Be deadline driven and fair
3
CreativeSome thoughts on AGILE - the basics.
DEVELOPMENT
AGILEWe are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value:
• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools• Working software over comprehensive documentation• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation• Responding to change over following a plan
That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.
Manifesto 4
PRODUCTIONTHE FRUITS OF PRODUCTION: BETA
Lifecycle
DESIGN
DEVELOPMENT
Contracting Creative BETA
QUALITY ASSURANCE (Q/A)BETA! BETA! BETA!
These are examples of other types of
development methodologies - your
development style will determine your
Q/A process
5
Q / A Don’t let the app bug’s bite
Software testing is the process of validating and verifying that your app/product:
• Meets the specified requirements,• Works as expected,• Can be installed with integrity, and• Satisfies the needs of stakeholders.
Example of a standard Software Development cycle
6
Why BETA Test?
Mobile Device Fragmentation: Android 2013 7
Android Screen Fragmentation 2012
Why BETA Test?
8
Android Screen Fragmentation 2012CONSOLIDATED
Why BETA Test?
88
ROLES: Quality Assurance Lead or Team
iOS Screen Fragmentation 2013
Why BETA Test?9
LAUNCHYour Idea: Ignition, Launch!
LAUNCHApp Store Requirements
ROLES: Digital Strategist, Launch Specialist, Growth Hacker
VETTED FEESPAYMENT
SYSTEM
COUNTRIES
AVAILABLE# OF APPS
APPLE Yes $99 Setup30% Revenue
iTunes 155 1m+
GOOGLE PLAY No $25 Setup
30% Revenue
Google Checkout /Phone Bill
94 900k+
AMAZON KINDLE Yes $99 Setup
30% RevenueAmazon Payments 200 4,500+
10
Summary
• INTRODUCTION
• PLANNING
• PRODUCTION
• Q / A
• LAUNCHED!
SummaryThis process needs to be followed for every iteration of production, therefore
every time an update or improvement needs to be implemented these resources should be part of your production team.
• INTRODUCTION
• PLANNING
• PRODUCTION
• Q / A
• LAUNCHED!
Information Architect, UI/UX PersonDigital Strategist
Mobile DesignerMobile Software Engineer / DeveloperProject Manager
Quality Assurance Lead or Team
Launch Specialist, Growth Hacker
You & Your Idea
CONFIDENTIAL
The Future: insight
The Future: insight
CONFIDENTIAL
The Future: relationships
THANK YOU
Resource: www.reddit.com/r/MobileAppEcosystem/
http://j.mp/OLfbook
@OysterLabs | #OLMeetup
http://j.mp/OLlinkd
Presented by
Carlos S. Aquino@carlossaquino
Resource: www.reddit.com/r/MobileAppEcosystem/
References:
1. http://j.mp/OLbizcnvs
2. http://j.mp/OLpckdsn
3. http://j.mp/OLmgtdsntm
http://j.mp/OLagile4.
http://j.mp/OLsftmtd5.
http://j.mp/OLsftcyc6.
http://j.mp/OLopnsig137.
http://j.mp/OLopnsig128.
http://j.mp/OLopnsig139.
http://j.mp/OLappstore10.