Sue-Ellen is a healthcare professional, who has worked with patients in a variety of settings. With 15-plus years of experience under her belt, she recognizes a common industry problem and has an idea to solve for it through a software solution.
After being introduced to FUSION OF IDEAS, Sue-Ellen and her husband and business partner, Michael, signed up for the App Development Mapping program and shared their app idea with the FUSION OF IDEAS team.
This began their journey to explore and plan out their software solution, which is now in the development stage.
Together with FUSION OF IDEAS, entrepreneurs Michael and Sue-Ellen are bringing their business idea to life with a custom software solution.
“FUSION OF IDEAS guided us as we worked through the key components of our app in detail, drawing out decision points and required functionality in the context of an intuitive user experience,” said Michael. “They helped us flesh out our ideas and offered other innovative ideas.”
The teams met multiple times, which allowed both parties to have a mutual understanding of the software solution needed. Through these crucial planning sessions, considerations were brought up that would have otherwise been overlooked or not considered until the app was deep in the development process.
Sue-Ellen and Michael participated in the design meetings with FUSION OF IDEAS to understand current app design trends, functionality and best practices.
At the end of the mapping process, FUSION OF IDEAS presented Sue-Ellen and Michael with tools that would help them make an informed decision on next steps and reduce their time to market. These tools included:
Empathy mapping to help understand what drives user behavior
Application flowchart that represents the anatomy and high-level functionality of the app
Wireframe models that show basic content
App prototype to represent the end product.
They chose to continue working with FUSION OF IDEAS for the development of their application.
“The entire process gave structure to work we would have had to complete on our own anyway,” added Michael. “We enjoyed the personal interaction and engagement of the FUSION OF IDEAS team members. [They] were professional and demonstrated a genuine interest in the success of our ideas. We look forward to working with them to make it a reality.”
To find out more about how our App Development Mapping services can help solve your business challenges, visit www.fusionofideas.com/mapping or contact us at 949-453-0740.
An application flowchart offers visual clarity by showing multiple workflows and their sequence into a single document.Much like a flowchart, a wireframe model helps with the visualization of the app. A wireframe incorporates the designs of individual pages in the app.As the precursor to development, an app prototype portrays the final design, functionality, and user flow of the app.
This is a two-part series on app development pre-planning, or mapping, as we call it. In Part 1, we shared what app development mapping is and why it’s an important part of a software deployment strategy. Here in Part 2, we will explore the steps involved in the mapping process so you can plan your next steps with confidence.
Before any development or coding is done to create an application or software, there is an important process that will help minimize obstacles in the development journey. This pre-planning process, or “mapping” as we call it, can be the most vital part of a software deployment strategy.
As such, if you are considering a new business software or application, here are steps to help prepare you to launch your app effectively.
1. Define your app concept
Start by clearly laying out the concept of your app. Prepare a short description of your app so you can convey the core idea in simple terms. Broadly define the concept by answering these questions:
What business need or problem are you trying to solve?
What are your expectations for the app?
How will the app function?
How will it engage and be useful to end-users?
2. Identify target users
Have a clear understanding of the intended end-users. Additionally, invest time and effort into researching and understanding their characteristics. Create an empathy map to describe those characteristics, which will ultimately serve as a guide to how your app will be designed.
An empathy map describes the characteristics of the software’s user(s), which will ultimately be a guide to how it will be designed.
3. Identify key project stakeholders
It’s also important to identify the roles and responsibilities of each person who will be involved with the app development strategy. These roles may include a project manager, who will communicate with external contacts, such as developers; and decision-makers who need to be involved in the approval process. It is recommended to include people from different departments in your organization in order to gain a variety of insights.
4. Consider the user experience
Using research on your end-user(s), determine what the app’s user experience will look and feel like. For example, if the end-user will be using the app on a construction field with gloves, you may want to consider screens that have minimal typing fields. Make a list of requirements for the best user experience.
5. Create the application flowchart
The creation of a flowchart allows you to translate your app idea into a visual aid illustrating the app idea, workflow and functionalities. A flowchart should represent the anatomy and high-level functionality of your app.
The flowchart is a visual aid that represents the anatomy and high-level functionality, showing the complete flow of the application.
6. Create wireframe models
Wireframes are essentially blueprints to detail each screen within your app. They are the first step toward defining the user experience of the application. Low-fidelity wireframes show basic content, while high-fidelity wireframes are more complete representations of the end product.
Low-fidelity wireframes are created as the first step toward the user experience of the application.High-fidelity wireframes are more complete representations of the end product.
7. Create a prototype
A prototype is an interactive interface that mimics the actual look and functionality of the application. Typically, the prototype is created as the final stage of the design before development begins. An application prototype is powerful in two ways:
Having a holistic view of the design, functionality and user flow allows you to make calculated decisions prior to development, which can save money and time spent on changes further down the road.
The prototype can be used to showcase your app idea to potential investors if you need to gather early-stage investments.
A prototype is an interactive interface that mimics the actual look and functionality of the application.
One last step…Once your app is launched, it will eventually require updates and maintenance like bug fixes. In your deployment strategy, consider the level of support and maintenance that will be required based on your internal resources and budget.
The app development journey may seem daunting. We get it. That’s why we offer mapping services to help guide you through the pre-planning phase.
We will also help you determine whether the best deployment strategy is to utilize existing software or build your own if you are unsure. We will guide you through the steps above and create deliverables that are yours to keep – everything from user research to wireframes and prototypes to technical scope documentation.
By the end of the mapping process, you will be equipped with a software deployment strategy so you can plan your next steps with confidence. To explore more about FUSION OF IDEAS’ mapping process, contact our App Development Business Development team at info@fusionofideas.com.
This is a two-part series on app development pre-planning, or mapping, as we call it. In Part 1, we begin with what app development mapping is and why it’s an important part of a software deployment strategy. In Part 2, we will explore the steps involved in the mapping process so you can plan your next steps with confidence.
The app development process begins as early as the initial idea of creating a business software or mobile app. The process of pre-planning, or “app development mapping,” guides you to a deployment strategy, whether that means utilizing existing software, or building your own.
What is app development mapping?
Mapping is the exploratory phase of your app development strategy, in which you identify and explore fundamental questions about the app.
We call this process “mapping” because building an app is a lot like taking a road trip. It can be long and time-consuming but having a strategy to get to your destination will save you time and (gas) money. To create an effective app solution, you have to have a good plan – or road map – to know where you are going and how you’re going to get there.
The mapping process of app development is like drawing out your route on the road map in preparation for your trip.
During the process, you clarify things like:
What will the app do?
What business problem(s) are you trying to solve?
Who will be using the app?
How will it function?
Is the best solution to buy existing software or build your own?
How long will it take to deploy and how much will it cost?
Why is pre-planning important?
Investing the time upfront to identify and answer the critical questions about your business needs can help define your software deployment strategy and reduce time to market. The end result might be a technology solution that will jumpstart your new business idea, an efficient tool to help your employees’ productivity or a completely custom solution that will help your business scale and gain a competitive edge.
The benefits of pre-planning include:
A clear understanding of development processes, including design concepts, phases of development and expectations, and time to market
Early insight into design trends, functionality, and best practices
Cost and time projection for development.
A lack of pre-planning could result in:
Lack of clarity in concept due to insufficient information
Time constraints or deployment delays due to considerations that were overlooked before development
Extra costs due to a lack of planning, organization and communication.
At the end of the mapping process, you should have a clear understanding of the look, feel and flow of your intended software solution. You will also have expectations for budget and estimated time frames to build and deploy.
In Part 2 of this series, we’ll tell you how to get there. We will take you through the steps of the mapping process to help you launch your app in a manageable way.
Many businesses are enjoying the benefits of using a custom software solution, which can save the company time, money and resources. Good business software can effectively manage the day-to-day activities of a business. It can also collect data to provide analytical insight so management can make smarter business decisions.
Yet, there are still common misconceptions around custom applications that can deter businesses from going custom. Let’s debunk them:
Custom applications will cost more than off-the-shelf applications, but the same is true for any product or solution that is customized. The cost of a custom app depends largely on the desired features, the complexity of the design, back end complexity, and platform compatibility, among other factors.
For a custom option at a lower price point, FUSION OF IDEAS offers a Dynamic Content System, in which the app design is templated, but allows for custom fonts, colors, designs, and logo to fit your brand.
FUSION OF IDEAS’ Dynamic Content System is a simplified content application that can be customized to fit your business.
Myth #2: Custom apps are only useful in niche markets.
Businesses in any industry can benefit from custom applications. Fortune 500 companies have seen an increase in revenue with custom software. This can also be the case for smaller, local businesses, and even startups. According to studies, business mobile apps have a higher conversion rate when compared to desktop or mobile websites.
The reality is, the amount of time required to build a business app depends on the requirements of the company. There are a variety of factors involved in building a great mobile app. Some companies need multiple functionalities to serve different business units, which adds to the development time. Understanding the steps to develop a custom app can ease any apprehension about the time it takes to build your custom software.
Myth #4: Off-the-shelf apps are more convenient and easier to use.
Off-the-shelf apps do not offer the two main benefits of a custom application: security and scalability. Let’s look at both.
First, custom software offers security for your business. Because a custom app is used by only one company and there is no public documentation to shed light on possible attack vectors, it’s more difficult for hackers to crack into your system.
The second benefit is scalability. Off-the-shelf applications may be easier to use and faster to set up at first. But when your business grows in size, these apps may not be able to handle the load. When you build a custom application built solely for your business, updates can be made and the app can expand with your operations as it grows.
Myth #5: Custom software does not integrate well with existing IT systems.
The reality is actually the opposite. Rather than needing your system to fit a pre-developed software product, custom software is built to fit your existing IT ecosystem. A good app developer will provide a solution for app integration, which includes a private, secure and dedicated cloud or internal server. For seamless integration, have your API (application programming interface) accessible for the developer.
Known as the pinnacle driving lifestyle adventure, MEGARUN is an eight-day exclusive road rally adventure along the West Coast.
For the third year, FUSION OF IDEAS has developed the event’s exclusive app that is used by the event drivers. The app allows drivers to get real-time updates, view the daily schedule with route information and checkpoints, and see the locations of other drivers through an interactive map.
Targa Trophies first partnered with the FUSION OF IDEAS in 2014 with the goal to move away from paper road maps and schedules to a fully digital experience. This ultimately changed the way participants interacted with the event.
Each year, the app is updated with a new look and new features that are tailored to the event.
MEGARUN’s nine-city tour kicks off Friday, May 31, in Las Vegas and finishes on Saturday, June 8, in Seattle. The MEGARUN formula circles around bringing together the best cars, people, driving roads and adventure destinations into an event experience.
Get a sneak peek of this year’s exclusive app in the video below, and follow along on the tour through Instagram.
Why is pre-planning important?
Known as the pinnacle driving lifestyle adventure,