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Sketch partnered with a pet care company to develop a commercial-grade version of an application that had previously been prototyped. This app would enable users to edit and share pet photos with collections of stickers the user could select, resize, rotate and move. After creating the photo, the user could save and share via text, social media, or email. Even though the app had already been conceptualized, the Sketch team started by placing an emphasis on agile practices at the forefront. This ensured the team would be able to experiment through the build. That is, they weren't trapped by the initial prototype, so they were allowed to have more good ideas throughout the entire development process. We also kept the door open for adjustments that would make the app easier for the internal team to maintain for the life of the product. This approach was also something they could replicate to build any new apps at a faster and more predictable pace.
We were asked to introduce agile practices to a traditionally waterfall team. This client partner was first introduced to Sketch after going through a few facilitated Agile Fundamentals Bootcamps. After the first day, the lightbulb turned on for the client’s leadership team: This was exactly the approach they needed to leverage to get their newest app into the marketplace. The ideas were there, the team was in place, but the agile mindset and framework weren’t. So, Sketch assembled a team of two developers and one agile coach to co-develop and guide their team to a successful agile development and product launch.
First, we needed to put agile methodologies into place for a team that didn’t know how to develop software following agile principles. After meeting with the developers, our agile coach and two developers crafted a 10-sprint development and training plan which included focus on all of the following:
After only three months of co-development with the blended team, the app had its first release into the Apple App Store. In the first six sprints, our developers and coach helped accomplish what the client’s team had been trying to do for over a year utilizing a dated approach to new product development.
The success was due as much to the agile approach used as it was the top-notch development talent:
The hybrid approach of bringing in two developers to help with the software development portion of this engagement, along with an agile coach, was the trifecta that ultimately made this endeavor a success.
The engagement continued with our coach for six more months, and with one developer for a full year. Continuing the engagement ensured all the newly introduced agile fundamentals remained in place. Continued development support also created a new app that was to be a personalized, weekly guide to training and caring for your new puppy or adult dog.
During this time, Sketch worked side by side with the client’s developers to not only develop this new app, but take an outdated framework of NativeScript and rewrite the entire app into React Native without disrupting the user experience. Eventually, after three years, a successful shift in agile approach, and two launched apps, this product team continues to be an ongoing success story we’re proud to be associated with.
We hope these are the kinds of outcomes you were looking for. If you want to learn more about the work that went into this project, we're happy to answer your questions.
Better yet, let's talk about whichever project you were mulling over that brought you here. We love to talk shop, and the first few conversations are always free.
