19 - Mobile App Development and Solutions

The Urban Engine Podcast

Matt talks with Michael Carroll, Lacey Reinoehl, and Jarrod Parkes about mobile app
development and solutions. They discuss the common options and features in app
design, and cover the importance of determining scope of work and managing
expectations with the customer desiring the app.

Highlights

(2:50) Lacey talks about process to define minimum viable product for your desired
app. Clarify the base functionality and allow the app developer an initial idea of
what the scope of work is required to complete (along with if a native or non-native
app will be required).

(13:10) Jarrod walks thru an example of the app developer’s estimate of the work
required to start an app and what stages of development are expected.

(19:14) There’s often sticker shock when it comes to paying for app development.
Michael explains how a couple developers working on an app for a month (typical to
get an app to at least the minimum viable product stage) can hit $20,000-30,000 in
burn rate. The hourly rate for app developers currently is typically in the $50-
200/hour range.

(25:08) The group talks about the importance of qualifying the customer and
managing expectations, along with determining if a native app is actually needed
(as that is far more costly than non-native apps).

(46:41) Lacey talks about the importance of pitching yourself to a developer.
There’s currently no shortage of work for app developers today and you need to
convince them that this will be a project they would like to take on and is viable.

Summary

Since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 and Android in 2008, smartphone
applications have quickly become an essential part of our daily lives. Options for an
app are either native (iOS and Android have 97%+ of the global market share) or
non-native. An app developer works with a customer to determine how best to add
value via the creation of the app with regards to required functionality (native apps
enable more real-time interaction with smartphone sensors like GPS, the camera,
etc.) within the limits of the budget available for the project. Ideally, the customer
spends time before reaching out to the app developer to clearly define the purpose
of the app and mock up a draft design and functionality (in Keynote, PowerPoint, or
various app mockup tools). The customer should clearly explain the viability of the
project to convince the developer to take on the challenge. The app developer will
work with the customer to further refine the minimum viable product and set
realistic expectations about milestones, costs (both up-front development and long-

term maintenance), and level of support provided by the developer. The end result
should be a meaningful app that adds value and achieves what cannot be done with
any other existing app today.

Links

Lacey Reinoehl’s company:

https://zaroslabs.com/

Jarrod Parkes:

https://jarrodparkes.com/

React Native (JavaScript framework that can ease porting apps to iOS + Android):

https://github.com/facebook/react-native

App mockup tools:

https://hackernoon.com/the-votes-are-in-the-top-7-wireframing-mockup-tools-for-

mobile-app-pros-134cd1d9af0a

Global market share of smartphone OS options:

http://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/worldwide

Books:

-

Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days

https://www.amazon.com/Sprint-Solve-Problems-Test-Ideas/dp/150112174X

-

The Lean Startup

https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-

Innovation/dp/0307887898

-

Don’t Make Me Think

https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Think-Revisited-Usability/dp/0321965515