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Building Applications Better the First Time by Jessica Roper Feature creep is a common problem in many projects. When you have to take into account customer requests and the ideas of designers and developers, how do you finish all of the features on time? Setting expectations and keeping customers happy can be impossible without the right focus, good communications and proper design. This talk will cover tools and tricks that you can use to prioritize what to complete first and help you iterate through the design process more quickly. Help us caption & translate this video! http://amara.org/v/Jdj0/
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In the video titled "Building Applications Better the First Time" presented by Jessica Roper at RailsConf 2016, the central theme focuses on strategies for building software applications more effectively, particularly in reducing the occurrence of feature creep and improving communication during the development process. Roper draws from her extensive experience as a senior software developer to share valuable insights aimed at both early career developers and seasoned professionals. Key points discussed include: - **Feature Creep Management**: Roper underscores the importance of setting clear expectations and focusing on the primary objectives of a project to prevent unnecessary feature overload. - **Clear Definition of Problems**: Before diving into development, it is crucial to clearly identify the user needs and main problems to be addressed. Roper cites an example involving a Sales Audience Sizing Tool, emphasizing the significance of aligning the project goals with user expectations. - **User Observation**: Gaining insights from observing actual users in their environments significantly impacts the design process. Misunderstanding the target user can lead to development missteps, as demonstrated by initial observations focused on business analysts rather than sales associates. - **Prioritization of Features**: Roper advocates the '80% rule', which focuses on developing features that will benefit the majority of users to ensure that resources are allocated effectively while meeting user needs. This method also involves gauging requests from clients based on their overall user base. - **Prototyping**: Utilizing low-fidelity prototypes in design phases allows for quick iterations and tailored user feedback. This approach highlights potential issues early, saving valuable time in development. - **Under-Promise and Over-Deliver**: Roper suggests that setting conservative timelines enhances stakeholder trust. By overestimating project timelines, developers can manage expectations while providing opportunities for adding unexpected features. - **Creating Feedback Loops**: Continuous collection of user feedback aids in refining product features and aligning further development with actual user behavior. Tools like Google Analytics help in understanding user interactions with the product. In conclusion, Roper emphasizes the need for clear communication, thoughtful feature prioritization, and iterative design processes to cultivate successful application development. By focusing on user needs and refining communication strategies, developers can greatly improve their project outcomes, ultimately leading to better software solutions.
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