Product Development 101
Product Development 101
“Any huge success story like Netscape or Apple is like a sausage factory. Everybody likes to eat the sausage; no one likes to see how it gets made. These things are all sausage factories inside.” - Marc Andreesen co-founder of Netscape
Product Development 101
Product Development 101
Our Process
Preparation: 1 week 1. We start with *full mockups*, not wireframes 2. Simultaneously, data schema is planned 3. GO SLOW, so you can go fast Why full mocks? 1. The biggest issue is COMMUNICATION. 2. Whitespace is NOT the enemy!
Product Development 101
You Tell Me:
a. What it is, I will then tell you how long it will take
OR
b. How long I have, I will then tell you what it is * * (Of course, it never really happens that way … )
Product Development 101
After One Week of Prep, Begin Writing Code
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Week One: codejam: 7 days, 12 hrs+ Everyone works in one room Meet every morning, define day’s tasks for each person Meet every evening, see what is done / not done At the end of codejam, project is 60% is complete The plan for the remaining 5 weeks is defined
Product Development 101
The Can’t Chart. Oh, I meant GANTT chart. :) (In all seriousness: This is how you focus)
Product Development 101
TROUBLESHOOTING
Yes, the problem MIGHT be your app … but it might be your network!
Product Development 101
Networking Metrics: OpManager
Product Development 101
Machine and Networking Metrics: Ganglia
Product Development 101
Machine and Networking Metrics: Keynote RedAlert
Product Development 101
… And just before Launch: The Feature Cram!
(This is where the GANNT chart comes in handy) Simply do what you can (you will inevitably cram a few of these in), but *stick to the code freeze*.
Product Development 101
Launch!
Product Development 101
LAUNCH!
1. Don’t be afraid to suck in public 2. … But FIX IT -- and FAST! 3. Those humans out there will always do things you never expected or planned for. 4. Identify both your successes and failures and iterate: It’s more important than anything else!
Product Development 101
KEY METRICS FOR ANSWERS:
1. 2. 3. 4. Number of Questions asked per day Unique Visitors / Pageviews Mahalo Dollars given as tips in the system Speed to first Answer
Feedback Mechanisms: - feedback@mahalo.com: goes to EVERYONE - Twitter (we watch continuously) - Blogs (same) - People will feedback inside questions and answers on the site
Product Development 101
Google Analytics
Product Development 101
Initial Mahalo Answers Metrics
New Signups 162 203 240 Tips Questions Answers Entered $315 267 1,570 $172 $354 302 316 1,634 1,618
12/21 12/22 12/23
Product Development 101
Tips vs Time To First Answer
Time to First Answer (ALL): 141 mins
With Tip: 40 mins
BREAKDOWN OF TIPS / TTFA
Tip >= $5 : 28 mins
Tip >= $10: 13 mins
Tip >= $20 : 10 mins = $50 : 130 mins
Expressing your data as ratios helps you understand whatʼs really going on.
Product Development 101
Google Analytics Goals
- Track Conversions -Track Pathing - Identify Mudpits
Product Development 101
Use SKITCH to illustrate problems
- Beats “It doesn’t work” or “Fail!” - Helps devs on different browsers who perhaps do not see the same thing
Product Development 101
With a little luck, your new product will change everything!