What do you do if your team is struggling to deliver mobile applications successfully?
Delivering mobile applications can be a complex process, and if your team is facing challenges, it's crucial to address these issues promptly. Struggling to release a successful app can stem from various factors, including poor planning, inadequate skills, or ineffective communication. By identifying the root causes and implementing strategic solutions, you can help your team overcome obstacles and improve the delivery of mobile applications.
When your team is having trouble delivering mobile applications, the first step is to conduct a thorough assessment of their needs. This involves understanding the skills gap, the resources required, and the current methodologies in use. By pinpointing exactly where the deficiencies lie, you can tailor your approach to address these specific issues. Whether it's providing additional training to enhance skills or adopting new tools to streamline development, a targeted strategy will help set your team on the right path.
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- Understand the gap, if the gap is technical provide upskilling or knowledge transfer. If the gap is in understanding the business needs, could you explain the reason for the targets and goals? - Improve process gaps by identifying bottlenecks or difficulties in following the processes. - Bring everyone on the same platform for seamless communication. - In case there are better technologies available, assess their inclusion in the plan for product delivery. - Regularly assess the growth and course correct the team where needed. - Encourage learning and upskilling. The team should be empowered with the right tools to be able to deliver efficiently over time.
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I am a big believer in simplicity. This means two things: 1. 5 Why’s. Start with asking the question why? Why are we having problems delivering mobile apps? Then once you have an answer ask why again. And continue to ask why 5 times until you get down to the root cause. 2. Servant leadership As a leader, you need to be serving the team. This means prioritising the needs of team members and ensuring they have the necessary resources. This isn’t a once off activity btw…mobile app delivery is about product management, and this means just as you continuously work to deliver new features in your mobile app, you need to continually provide servant leadership to your team by providing them with the resources they need.
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Implementing a short feedback session with the teammates to identify the root causes. Based on the discussions, we can do few actions like - Streamline Processes - Manage Scope and Prioritise Features - Clarify Requirements and Expectations - Provide Training and Support
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1- Identify knowledge gaps within the team. 2- Address team workload and delegate tasks appropriately. 3- Foster open communication within the team and between developers 4- Conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback to promote continuous learning.
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There can be various reason team is not delivering tasks on time. 1. Requirements gaps, ensure that project requirements are well-defined, realistic, and communicated clearly to all team members. 2 . Improving the collaboration within teams, encourage open communication, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional collaboration between designers, developers, testers, and other stakeholders. 3. If the team lacks certain technical skills or expertise required for mobile app development, consider providing training, workshops etc
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Here's a structured approach can take: - Set Realistic Expectations. - Address Skill Gaps - Identify Pain Points - Utilize Tools and Technologies - Encourage Collaboration and Feedback
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Ascertain Gaps ( Technology, people, skills, processes, ) Breakdown deliverables into smaller outcomes Reset expectations Track aggressively
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When a team is struggling to deliver mobile applications successfully, it's crucial to address both the technical and team dynamics aspects to improve performance and output. Identify the root causes by regularly scheduled retrospectives as this can help identify what is and isn’t working. Focus on processes, tools, and team dynamics.
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1. Always think about your customers - When you are developing the functionality of a mobile application, you should have thought about which customer "pains" you will be able to close. 2. Always listen to your customers - qualitative and quantitative research will allow you stick to the right path in the development of your app. 3. Always collect feedback - you should collect feedback from all possible channels. It should be simple for customers, with customer feedback, with right classification feedback. 4. Always fix bugs first - If your app has numerous bugs that remain unaddressed, negative feedback from customers will overshadow the positive aspects introduced by new features
Efficiency in the development process is key to successful mobile application delivery. Examine your current workflows and identify any bottlenecks or redundant steps that may be causing delays. Implementing agile methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban, can promote better collaboration and quicker turnaround times. Encourage regular stand-up meetings to ensure everyone is on the same page and use project management tools to keep track of progress and deadlines.
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Implement short feedback loops with stakeholders and users to ensure that the development aligns with expectations and needs. Improve planning and processes by implementing or improving agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban as this can improve flexibility and responsiveness. Prioritize work using a prioritized backlog to ensure the team focuses on the most valuable features or fixes first.
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Process should be more transparent and it should be working very effectively. Work should be divided in sprint and make sure we should have internal demo of all completed work by week end or sprint end (it’s okay if it is unfinished work). Sometimes we start development with mock data and than do real time integration because API development is in progress that, in such case we should allocate real time API integration and thorough developer testing. I seen few projects got delayed because they mostly depend on mock data till end, and they got very less time for real time integration and developer testing. Also make sure to cover 80-90% Unit Test case and UI test cases.
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proper prioritization of the backlog allows you to move forward systematically, taking into account the needs of all departments. Impact Effort Matrix will make it possible do more effectively
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Streamlining the process is crucial for the agility of mobile app development. Identifying bottlenecks and eliminating redundancy are key strategies. Agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban enhance collaboration and speed up delivery cycles. Regular stand-up meetings keep the team aligned, and utilizing project management tools ensures clear tracking of progress and adherence to deadlines. Adding to this, incorporating short feedback loops, as mentioned by Curt Hulbert, aligns development with stakeholder expectations, fostering a responsive and adaptive development environment. Prioritization of tasks based on their impact and urgency is also essential for maintaining focus and momentum.
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Next, I look at our processes. Could they be more streamlined? Implementing agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban, and keeping everyone in sync with regular stand-ups and effective project management tools often helps speed things up and clear out any bottlenecks.
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To tackle challenges in successfully delivering mobile applications, streamline processes by identifying workflow inefficiencies and bottlenecks, introducing agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban for collaboration and adaptability, conducting regular stand-up meetings to ensure alignment and obstacle identification, utilizing project management tools for task tracking and communication, encouraging continuous feedback to pinpoint areas for improvement, and iterating and refining processes based on feedback and evolving requirements. Through these efforts, teams can enhance their efficiency, collaboration, and adaptability, ultimately improving their ability to deliver successful mobile applications.
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When my team struggles to deliver mobile applications successfully, I focus on streamlining processes. This begins with identifying bottlenecks, then implementing Agile methodologies to enhance flexibility and responsiveness. Communication is key, so I ensure continuous updates and transparent discussions with all stakeholders. Effective resource allocation and continuous training keep the team efficient and up-to-date. At Cognizant, I led cross-platform solutions to reduce redundancy and expedite delivery. Regular performance assessments help adjust tactics, ensuring quality and timely project completion. These strategies significantly improve productivity and project outcomes.
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Efficiency is crucial in mobile application development to ensure timely delivery and maintain competitiveness. There are few steps to improve efficiency: 1. Start by conducting a thorough analysis of current development workflows. Identify any bottlenecks, redundant steps, or areas where efficiency could be improved. 2. Consider adopting agile methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban to promote better collaboration, flexibility, and faster delivery cycles. 3. Implement regular stand-up meetings where team members briefly discuss their progress, plans for the day, and any obstacles they're facing. 4. Foster a culture of cross-functional collaboration by ensuring that team members from different disciplines work closely.
Collaboration is the lifeblood of any successful project. To improve your team's performance, foster an environment where open communication is encouraged, and everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and feedback. This can be achieved by organizing regular brainstorming sessions and encouraging pair programming or code reviews. Such collaborative practices not only enhance the quality of the mobile applications but also boost team morale and productivity.
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Before you start programming, you should connect the IT department and the business team for conjoint brainstorming session, where you should explain what you want to reach. There are significant changes in your life.
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I also push for better collaboration. It’s all about open communication, sharing ideas freely, and regular code reviews or pair programming sessions. This not only improves the quality of our apps but also boosts morale and team cohesion.
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We should have proper understanding of requirement before starting development. Figma and other development plan documents should cover all thorough and minor details. We should not put any assumption over there. We encourage team to ask as many questions as they want to fully understand requirements, also we need to think about test cases. Sometimes we claim our development is working prefect seamlessly but I’m complex structure it breaks by existing code or some other condition-flows. We should have sanity check test cases which should cover all edge cases as well as any other things which may effect this project. We should encourage team to make POC if needed before starting development.
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Foster a culture of cross-functional collaboration by ensuring that team members from different disciplines (e.g., developers, designers, testers) work closely together throughout the development process. This helps reduce hand-offs, encourages shared ownership of deliverables, and accelerates problem-solving.
Staying updated with the latest technology trends is essential in mobile application development. If your team is struggling, it might be due to outdated tools or platforms. Conduct research on new technologies that can optimize your development process and offer training to your team members to get them up to speed. Investing in the right technology can make a significant difference in development speed and application quality.
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Tech adaptation is another must. The tech landscape evolves rapidly, and staying updated with the latest tools and platforms is crucial. We invest in training to keep everyone sharp and capable with the newest technologies that can benefit our projects.
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You need to apply proactive steps to address identified challenges and support your team effectively. Carry out training, adopt Agile development methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban, to improve project management and delivery. This approach will assist in improving the delivery of mobile applications and set your team up for success in the long term.
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We should adapt new technology but just needs to check it should not break or hurt existing flow. For example in IOS, I preferred with latest (or 6 months back date) Swift version and Xcode. Also we should spare some times in a year to upgrading code due to version update or Xcode update or API updation. Also we should have fully understanding of new features released in latest version, for example we can get ideas from WWDC vedios also we can encourage small hackathon within team with some price for at-least half day or day, this types of effort boost confident in tema and also they were encouraging to adopt new ideas, new features etc.
Continuous monitoring of your team's progress is vital to ensure that mobile application projects stay on track. Implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success and identify areas for improvement. Regularly reviewing these metrics will help you adjust strategies and address issues before they escalate. This proactive approach not only helps in meeting deadlines but also maintains the overall quality of the mobile applications.
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Don't deveplope kpi for the sake of kpi. You should realize, if you will develope KPI in this direction, it will increase your performance or not.
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I would recommend to revisit the Agile processes as sometimes the reason lays behind incorporating changes/new requests that delays the estimated initial plan/sprint.
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Identify any skills gaps within the team and invest in training or workshops, especially in areas like UI/UX design, cross-platform development frameworks (e.g., React Native, Flutter), or advanced debugging techniques. Ensure the team has access to the necessary tools and infrastructure, including integrated development environments (IDEs), continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, and testing frameworks.
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We should not heavily depend on standup, but based on sprint planing we should encourage 2-3-5 mins small demo in audience after completing task. Also it’s good to discuss Merge Request in open forum. Also we should encourage tema to communicate right things at right time. Let say we have some risk in deliver than it should be communicate as early as possible. Ideally it should not happen, but some times development is depend so many factors, so communicating it to stake holder in right time is an advantage. Also we should tried to provide some meaningful and user interacted training to tema on their weak areas, this will help them to learn new things. We should provvide training for user interacted confluence, Jira, Figma , analytic tools.
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Monitoring progress in mobile app development is vital for success. Establishing relevant KPIs aligned with objectives, fostering transparency, and embracing agile methodologies are key. Balancing quantitative metrics with qualitative assessments and tracking external factors help anticipate challenges. Ultimately, it's about cultivating a culture of continuous improvement to deliver exceptional apps meeting user needs and driving business success.
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Monitoring progress through defined KPIs helps us stay on track, and adjusting our strategies based on these insights ensures we’re always moving forward effectively.
The mobile application landscape is constantly evolving, and encouraging ongoing learning within your team is crucial for long-term success. Provide opportunities for professional development, such as attending workshops or conferences, and encourage knowledge sharing within the team. By staying informed about new trends and techniques, your team will be better equipped to tackle challenges and innovate in the mobile application space.
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Lastly, fostering a culture of continuous learning within the team is key. I encourage attending workshops, webinars, and sharing sessions to keep everyone on top of industry trends and new techniques. This keeps us innovative and ready to tackle any challenges that come our way.
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The fast-paced evolution of the mobile application industry demands continuous learning and adaptation. To foster long-term success: -Professional Development: Provide opportunities for your team to attend workshops, seminars, and conferences. This enhances their skills and keeps them updated with the latest industry trends. -Knowledge Sharing: Encourage a culture where team members share insights and learnings with each other. This can lead to more innovative solutions and a stronger team dynamic. -Stay Informed: Regularly update your team on new technologies and industry trends to help them stay ahead of the curve.
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Encouraged to adopt new technology like AI tools/ software to improve productivity like using design and coding AI tools. Encourage them to get certification or join new courses at least once a year. Create a daily learning schedule.
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Ask the question: "Do we <really> have the in-house expertise/resources to deliver the desired application within the expected timeline" ? and if the answer is "no"...then outsource the development work to a trusted 3rd party to help complete the job. Completely 'self serving' statement (admittedly) since I work for a Custom Software Development company ;-) but the very reason I got into this space is precisely because I saw real value in companies outsourcing their non-core work to offshore developers who are experts at building solutions for mid-large tier companies (not replacing but <augmenting> the in-house team) typically at a much lower cost of ownership (vs hiring full-time employees). It just makes better business sense.
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If internal efforts are insufficient, consider hiring external consultants with expertise in mobile development best practices. For specific tasks or components, outsourcing to specialized firms or freelancers can alleviate pressure on the team.
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In a scenario where a project was over-engineered due to a new architect aiming to impress, our mobile development team struggled with the complexity of the technology stack. Management had high expectations, but the team lacked the expertise for such advanced implementations. Recognizing this mismatch, we facilitated a series of training sessions and gradually refocused the project on more suitable technologies. This realignment allowed the team to deliver effectively, enhancing both morale and productivity while meeting management's core objectives.
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Sit down with your team and get feedback from each member and focus on the solution, not the problem. Let each team member speak openly or sit down and discuss with them one by one.
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