<p>Until very recently, the <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-build-a-successful-saas-platform-from-scratch">Software-as-a-Service model</a> was something large corporations offered their clients. It meant years of development, thousands of people writing the code 24/7, and fabulous amounts of money. Well, things have dramatically changed.</p>



<p>Today, even small startups can deliver their product ideas to their customers through SaaS solutions and build the latter even with limited budgets. You just need to figure out <strong>how to outsource SaaS product development and what to consider when looking for a tech vendor</strong>. Here’s what you need to know.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/saas-outsourcing.png" alt="Decision-makers discuss a new SaaS development project." class="wp-image-6338"></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Few More Words on the Concept of Software as a Service</h2>



<p><strong>Software as a Service (SaaS) is a web application delivered to end users over the Internet</strong>. Rather than installing and managing software on their own devices, SaaS provides a subscription-based model that helps users conveniently access the complete application, along with its IT infrastructure.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Do Businesses Transition to SaaS?</h3>



<p>There’s a multitude of reasons behind many SaaS development outsource options. The key drivers behind this strategic transition range from scalability and accelerated development to quick deployment and enhanced security.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="2000" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/why-businesses-transition-to-saas.png" alt="An infographic explaining 5 reasons why businesses transition to SaaS" class="wp-image-6358"></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Scalability</h4>



<p>There’s no need to worry about servers crashing if the number of users suddenly increases. Transitioning to the SaaS model implies that companies can expand their infrastructure capabilities as needed without purchasing new hardware and other necessary components. Costs in such an approach will be much lower than upgrading one’s own equipment.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Accelerated Development</h4>



<p>Local applications need to be developed and tested for various platform combinations like device hardware, operating systems, security settings, etc. In contrast, SaaS applications are created in a unified controlled environment. It significantly simplifies and speeds up development, debugging, and support.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Quick Deployment</h4>



<p>Deploying local applications within a company can take months. With SaaS, it’s enough to set up the application once to meet the company’s requirements and then distribute logins and passwords to its employees. This leads to another advantage — a short sales cycle. With SaaS, there’s no need to spend weeks or months building customer relationships and planning deployment. The time saved can be used to improve the product and enhance customer service.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Multi-User Architecture</h4>



<p>All application’s users share a centralized infrastructure and code. It allows for a quick update release and saves time on code enhancements.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Database Security</h4>



<p>Standard security protocols provided by SaaS database providers include SSL and TLS encryption. They secure user messages and data. On top of that, the SaaS model allows for easy and fast integration of additional protocols to enhance security.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SaaS Development: What You Need to Know Before Hiring a Tech Vendor</h2>



<p>The point of delegating a complex tech project to a third party is to find a professional team that would bring the necessary expertise to the table. While you don’t have to be really dev-savvy to outsource SaaS development, you’ll have better chances to choose the right vendor if you at least understand the development process basics. Here are the most essential aspects of a SaaS development project.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">SaaS Architecture</h3>



<p>SaaS applications’ architecture is designed to meet business needs like requirements for <strong>reliability</strong>,<strong> fault tolerance</strong>, and <strong>financial</strong> <strong>capabilities</strong>.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p></p>
<cite>Today, multi-tenancy architecture serves as the foundation for nearly every SaaS product operating in the cloud. It helps reduce costs, improve the efficiency of resource utilization, ensure scalability, and enable rapid deployment of updates.</cite></blockquote>



<p>In <strong>cloud computing</strong>, there is a concept called “<strong>multi-tenancy</strong>,” where multiple customers (tenants) of a cloud service provider use the same computing resources and operate within a shared environment. Even though tenants share the infrastructure and resources, they are isolated from each other.</p>



<p>In other words, each company is physically integrated but logically separated. You can think of it like real estate.</p>



<p>Imagine the cloud as a building. Living in a private house far from neighbors isn’t land efficient and requires property maintenance.</p>



<p>Multi-tenancy is like living in an apartment building. Everyone has the same security system, but each tenant has their own key to their apartment, ensuring their privacy. Tenants can make modifications or furnish their apartments according to their requirements and preferences, just as a company configures its portion of the cloud infrastructure.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Let’s discuss your project in detail.<br>Launch with Rocketech.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a free call</button></div>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Components</h3>



<p>An application’s main features set one app type apart from another. However, there are key components every SaaS solution must have.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Customizable Infrastructure</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>One of the advantages of using SaaS architecture is the customizable infrastructure that can be <strong>expanded or scaled down based on business requirements</strong>. For example, customers can decide which components benefit their business and pay only when necessary. At the end of a paid period, customers can return to their previous infrastructure model.</p>



<p>SaaS users purchase their software in a billing system on a monthly or yearly basis. Their requirements may increase or decrease depending on their business needs and consumer demand, so having a customizable infrastructure is essential.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Subscription-Based Pricing Model</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>The SaaS application’s essence lies in its high availability. This service is extended through a <strong>flexible billing cycle</strong> that allows customers and business users to use what they want, as much as they want.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>CRM System</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is what sets a SaaS application apart from other applications. Since SaaS offers a shared platform for multiple tenants, it requires a <strong>unified repository for multiple customer accounts</strong> and their account information for management purposes.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Automated Provisioning</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Automated provisioning in SaaS means delivering the application to customers automatically, <strong>without manual steps</strong>, for smoother operation. This automation streamlines the setup and delivery of the software, making it more efficient and user-friendly.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Support and Analytics</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>The support and analytics module of a SaaS application provides <strong>a set of tools for platform management and performance tracking</strong>. As a result, SaaS providers satisfy customer expectations, and business providers can improve customer service quality and meet market requirements.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cloud</h3>



<p>There are three ways to deploy a SaaS application.</p>



<ol style="list-style-type:1">
<li><strong>Public Cloud</strong>: The service is hosted in <strong>a general-use</strong> <strong>infrastructure</strong>. For example, multiple companies can use the same server, and the device’s capacity is shared proportionally based on the business needs of each.</li>



<li><strong>Private Cloud</strong>: The software is hosted in <strong>an infrastructure exclusively used by one company</strong>. Typically, the equipment is within the company’s own network. Private clouds have limitations in scalability compared to public or hybrid clouds, which may require significant infrastructure investments when launching the application in the market.</li>



<li><strong>Hybrid Cloud</strong>: This is a <strong>combination of public and private clouds</strong>. For instance, a bank might store customer data in a private cloud and expand its computing power using a cloud provider.</li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tech Stack</h3>



<p>The choice of a technology stack is a critical decision that can significantly impact the success, cost, and performance of your software development project. <strong>Choosing the wrong tools can lead to project failure</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="300" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/what-is-tech-stack.png" alt="A visual explaining what a technological stack is." class="wp-image-6330"></figure>



<p><strong>A wise choice of the technical stack is one of the key criteria for the successful launch of any product</strong>, especially when it comes to SaaS services. Opting for exotic development tools can make the software complex to update and support in the long run.</p>



<p>A prime example is the Ruby on Rails framework. When it first came out, clients worldwide urged providers to use this new and trendy platform for their projects, even migrating their existing applications to RoR. However, it soon became apparent that working with it wasn’t as straightforward as everyone thought.</p>



<p>Once more user-friendly frameworks started to emerge, the popularity of RoR significantly declined. Today, most Ruby projects are maintained at a high cost, as demand for support remains, while the number of developers in this stack has dwindled.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-primary-color has-gray-100-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>The most reliable way to avoid making a wrong choice is to start with a <strong><a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" data-type="link" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discovery phase</a></strong>. If done correctly, the developers experienced in the same niche or product type create the project’s detailed roadmap that also includes technical requirements and the instruments necessary to meet them — the <strong>tech stack</strong>.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Bonus: Code Blueprints to Cut the Time</h2>



<p>The more competitive your business environment is, the more critical <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/from-idea-to-launch-the-startups-guide-to-reducing-time-to-market">the time it takes you to deliver your product to your end user</a> becomes. One of the most efficient ways to cut time to market is to use already existing instruments and their proven mixes to avoid reinventing the wheel while implementing standard, most-required functionality.</p>



<p><strong>Our Technical Lead, Olexandr, explains this process with specific examples</strong>.</p>



<p>“Consider this scenario. You have a mobile application. And the task is to integrate a payment system for both Apple and Android platforms. If, let’s say, you’re venturing into this for the first time, the <strong>traditional approach</strong> would be to delve into the intricacies of the Apple Store and Google Play specifications. You’d need to develop and test the integration for each platform separately, which can be quite time-consuming.</p>



<p>However, there is an <strong>alternative approach</strong>. You could opt for a ready-made service like <a href="https://www.revenuecat.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer">RevenueCat</a>, which offers a more streamlined solution. RevenueCat can seamlessly work with both Apple and Android platforms right out of the box, and it even supports various payment services as a bonus. This approach saves you a considerable amount of time and minimizes the testing effort. Additionally, it provides valuable statistics on all purchases and transactions.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-quote wp-block-quote"><div class="wp-block-quote__text"><p>So many instruments were written before us. We just need to learn how to use them efficiently in our favor.</p></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__aside"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__image" style='background-image:url("https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/sasha-kulik-2.jpg")'></div></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__content"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__name">Olexandr Kulyk</div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__info">Solutions Architect, Technical Lead, Rocketech</div></div></div></div>



<p>Let’s explore another example. A client comes to you with the idea of creating a cryptocurrency exchange platform. The platform needs to handle the conversion of dollars into cryptocurrencies and vice versa. But this venture also requires some form of basic accounting software to manage transactions, account balances, tax calculations, and profit margins.</p>



<p>You have two options here. The first option is to build this accounting software from scratch, which would consume a significant amount of time and risk introducing errors, particularly in the financial calculations. Alternatively, you can integrate an existing service that simplifies the process. With such a service, you can execute commands like:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="816" height="250" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image.png" alt="An extract of programming code to explain an example" class="wp-image-6334"></figure>



<p>Here, you specify the currency, amount, source, destination, and percentage, and the service will handle all the calculations for you. Moreover, it typically provides a ready-made dashboard with built-in statistics.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="3840" height="1320" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-1.png" alt="A screenshot to illustrate an example." class="wp-image-6336"></figure>



<p>In both of these examples, the key takeaway is the advantage of leveraging existing services to expedite the development process, reduce the potential for errors, and gain access to valuable data insights.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Outsourcing SaaS Development: Why Rocketech?</h2>



<p>Once SaaS product development outsourcing becomes one of the near-future plans, you need to find a reliable tech vendor to execute the project. As a full-cycle custom software development services provider, Rocketech takes projects at any stage and walks the extra mile to ensure the client’s success.</p>



<p>We don’t just promise; we deliver results. Considering SaaS website design and development outsourced? We are here. Have only a business idea and need to test its feasibility? We’ll guide you all the way through the process.</p>



<p><strong>With our proven strategies of reducing time to market, we guarantee our clients early market entry and fast delivery of even the most daring ideas</strong>.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Curious how we deliver faster than the competitors keeping the highest quality?<br>We are happy to share.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a call</button></div>


SaaS Development Outsourcing: What Vendors Don’t Tell You

<p>Typically, just one in ten <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/5-reasons-why-your-business-needs-a-mobile-app">mobile app development</a> projects turns out profitable. While the usage of smartphones is on the rise, the number of mobile products is also increasing. At the same time, the average session time is decreasing, and user attention is becoming progressively more valuable with each passing year. <strong>In these highly competitive environments, custom mobile app development for startups turns from a luxury option into a business requirement</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/app-dev-for-startups.png" alt="Developers discussing wireframes and designs for a new mobile app for a startup." class="wp-image-6250"></figure>



<p>Do you have a startup product idea but don’t know what to begin with? Our <strong>guide on app development for startups</strong> will help you get your ducks in a row.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Does a Startup Need a Mobile App?</h2>



<p>Essentially, startups are projects with low budgets and high risks. That’s why mobile app development for startups is an instrument they use to test business hypotheses and, ideally, find investors for further rapid expansion. Here are <strong>seven reasons why your startup does need a mobile solution</strong>.</p>



<ul type="1">
<li><strong>Quick Market Presentation</strong><strong></strong></li>
</ul>



<p>With a well-designed app, they can showcase their products or services, highlight their unique selling points, and create a lasting impression on potential customers.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Convenient Sales Channel</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Mobile apps provide a convenient method for startups to sell their products or services directly to their target audience. By offering a seamless and user-friendly purchasing experience, startups can maximize their reach and increase their sales potential.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Constant Customer Engagement</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Mobile apps enable startups to establish and maintain constant communication with their customers. Through push notifications, personalized offers, and in-app messaging, startups can keep their customers engaged, informed, and loyal to their brand.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Direct Feedback</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Mobile apps allow startups to gather direct feedback from their customers. This valuable feedback helps them understand customer preferences, identify areas for improvement, and make informed business decisions.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Simplicity and Accessibility</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Compared to a website, mobile apps offer a simpler and more accessible user experience. With a few taps on their smartphones, users can access the app and find what they need quickly.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Streamlined Business Processes</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Developing a mobile app enables startups to automate internal business processes like inventory management, order processing, or customer support. This automation saves time and resources.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Data Collection and Analysis</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>By collecting user behavior, preferences, and demographics, startups can gain insights into customer trends and make data-driven decisions to enhance their products or services.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Your App Won’t Pay Off</h2>



<p>While app development for a startup no longer seems extraordinary, there are many ways to do it wrong and fail. We summed up the <strong>five most common reasons</strong> why it happens.</p>



<p><strong>#1 The problem you’re solving doesn’t exist or has already been solved.</strong></p>



<p>Co-founder of Y Combinator, Paul Graham, once said that the most common mistake startups make is solving problems that don’t exist. While we have seemingly the best ideas in our imagination, in reality, potential customers mostly simply don’t need them.</p>



<p><strong>#2 The hypothesis hasn’t been tested.</strong></p>



<p>It’s difficult to speculate about risks without initial customers and figures to base developmental models on. Testing the hypothesis allows for ample maneuvering room for ideas in the early stages when their cost is close to zero.</p>



<p><strong>#3 <strong>You’ve planned too many features</strong>.</strong></p>



<p>Building a full-fledged starship ready for a Mars mission right from the start is not the best strategy. However, some entrepreneurs think adding more features to a product will make it more appealing to customers. It’s not true.</p>



<p><strong>#4 You didn’t define your goals.</strong></p>



<p>It’s crucial to forecast the outcomes the development and growth of an IT product will bring. What indicators need to be achieved within six months to justify the investment risk? What about a year?</p>



<p><strong>#5 <strong>Your monetization method is overly aggressive.</strong></strong></p>



<p>Attention from users is the primary asset in the digital world. Even in a financially unprofitable project, having a large community is a success. Attracting attention is harder than converting it into profitability. Aggressive monetization at the early stages of a service’s life cycle often leads to an inability to gather a sufficient user base.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">App Development for Startups: The 2-Phase Approach</h2>



<p>In general, the development process can be broken down into understandable phases that make up a plan. Approaches to process-building may differ from vendor to vendor. At Rocketech, we believe that startups require a slightly different and almost always tailored approach. For simplicity, let’s <strong>divide the entire development process into</strong> <strong>three large steps</strong>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Start with a Discovery</h3>



<p>Effective planning is half the battle. If you only have what you believe to be a genius idea and a half-written business plan, you are likely to fail. To prevent this scenario, meticulous planning is necessary. We have found that conducting a <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success"><strong>project discovery</strong></a> is the best way to set sail.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="300" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/what-is-a-discovery-phase-2.png" alt="An infographic briefly explaining what a discovery phase is in custom software development." class="wp-image-6242"></figure>



<p>In simple words, it’s an essential phase for startups as it helps them <strong>understand what their customers want</strong>, which is the key to achieving success in the market. In short, a <strong>discovery phase has three main advantages</strong>.</p>



<ul type="1">
<li><strong>It saves time and money.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>The main goal is to create the most in-depth and budgeted startup development plan possible. The more detailed your plan is, the fewer problems you’ll have on the way. Scrupulous planning also helps you avoid redundant functionality and see where you can save time and, as a result, money.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>It d</strong><strong>efines the product.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>It’s impossible to make a good plan if you don’t understand what exactly needs to be done. Another big objective of this stage is to define the product’s features and functionality. And it requires proper market research — it also prepares you for the real-market environment.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>It reduces risks.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>The discovery phase helps identify potential risks and challenges early in the project, allowing startups to mitigate them before they become bigger problems. In other words, developers with experience in similar projects will consider the risks and issues (and the ways to solve them) even before they happen.</p>



<p>Like any other project, the discovery phase includes several steps. If done right (and systematically), this stage’s outcome will be a solid roadmap and a clear picture of the near future, minimizing the uncertainty.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Do Your Market Research</h4>



<p>First things first: before you make any plans and, even more so, start developing your app, it’s vital to explore the environment and define the real market situation. Here are the questions covered by proper market research:</p>



<ul>
<li>What products exist in the chosen niche and make up your competition?</li>



<li>Why do some products succeed while others fail?</li>



<li>What strong sides and weaknesses do your competitors have?</li>



<li>Which unique features can your product offer that your competitors don’t have (yet)?</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Make Accurate Estimations</h4>



<p>A precise budget prediction is the unicorn of the custom software development world. In very few cases, everything goes as planned. However, the best app developers for startups are distinguished by experience — they’ve already solved whatever problem may await your project on the way.</p>



<p>In short, here are the seven most common agile <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/agile-project-estimation-challenges">project estimation challenges</a>:</p>



<ol type="1">
<li>Uncertainty</li>



<li>Incomplete requirements</li>



<li>Complexity</li>



<li>Limited resources</li>



<li>Time constraints</li>



<li>Scope creep</li>



<li>External factors</li>
</ol>



<p>While these problems are familiar even to non-dev people, there are also specific <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-avoid-common-project-estimation-mistakes">estimation mistakes</a> only experienced developers can help you avoid. Here’s where expert risk assessment comes into play.</p>



<p>Such probability analysis is essential for making accurate estimates and building a repository of potential future risks. By analyzing past project issues, software development providers create a list of possible problems that can occur. When starting new projects, they refer to this list to identify relevant risks.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Looking for a transparent and accurate project estimation? We can help.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Talk to us</button></div>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Make a Hypothesis</h4>



<p>Startups make business hypotheses by formulating educated guesses about market dynamics and their business model’s various aspects. These hypotheses serve as the foundation for their strategy and decision-making process. Here’s a general <strong>framework for how startups develop business hypotheses</strong>.</p>



<ul type="1">
<li><strong>Identify the problem.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Start with identifying a problem or pain point in the market. Conduct research, gather data, and analyze trends to understand the needs and challenges of potential customers. The results will form the basis of your problem hypothesis.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Propose a solution.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Once the problem is identified, propose a solution or product that addresses the issue. Outline key features, benefits, and value propositions of your crafted solution. The results will form the basis of your solution hypothesis.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Target the market and segment customers.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Define your target market and segment it into specific customer groups based on demographics, psychographics, or other relevant characteristics. Develop hypotheses about the customer segments most likely to adopt your solution and provide the highest growth potential.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Make your value proposition.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Articulate the unique value you offer to customers compared to existing alternatives. Formulate hypotheses about your solution’s specific aspects that will resonate with customers and differentiate your offer from competitors.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Define the revenue model.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Explore existing ways to generate profit — subscriptions, advertising, licensing, or transaction fees. Test assumptions about pricing, customer willingness to pay, and overall revenue potential.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Specify customer acquisition and distribution channels.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Consider different marketing channels — digital advertising, social media, content marketing, partnerships, or direct sales. Analyze the cost of customer acquisition and experiment with different channels to validate your hypotheses.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Test and validate.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Naturally, hypotheses are created to be validated. Once you have them ready, start designing experiments and conducting tests. At the very beginning, startups use <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/the-guide-for-perfect-customer-development-problem-interview-checklist">problem</a> and <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/what-is-a-solution-interview-in-customer-development">solution interviews</a> and surveys to gather the data necessary to come up with development requirements. Eventually, the best and fastest way to confirm or refine your idea is <strong>to launch an MVP</strong>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Build an MVP to Validate Your Idea</h3>



<p>Essentially, there are two main ways to make and launch a mobile app. You can spend a long time and all your resources working on a single business idea and polishing numerous features to perfection. While it sounds good to some business owners, the outcome of such projects is unknown at best. In many cases, that perfection turns out not needed by real users.</p>



<p>The alternative way app developers for startups mostly take — you can launch the first, limited yet fully functional product version and refine and improve it according to your customer feedback and real-market environment.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="300" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/what-is-an-mvp-term.png" alt="An infographic briefly explaining what an MVP in custom software development." class="wp-image-6246"></figure>



<p>Imagine a unique-to-market product idea for an <a href="https://rocketech.it/case/lev">app that will revolutionize pet ownership</a>. Complex ambitious solutions like this combine features and functionality of various types — a marketplace, social network, and interactive map, in this case.</p>



<p>Instead of gambling on hypothetical ideas, decision-makers launched an MVP with simple functionality four months after the project had started. This approach helped them build a highly interactive, full-fledged mobile application with great market potential within just eight months, well ahead of the competition.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="2000" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/mvp-for-startups.png" alt="An infographics naming 4 manin benefits of building an MVP for startups." class="wp-image-6248"></figure>



<p><a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/the-strategic-advantage-of-mvp-development-for-startups">Startup MVP development</a> is a strategic instrument (and a particular mindset, for that matter) to stay afloat in highly competitive markets where every day can be game-changing. After launching the first stable and functional version, you can then focus on your customers and their needs. And develop and improve your offer accordingly.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p></p>
<cite>In other words, let your MVP “run free” and bring the data that will tell you where to head next.</cite></blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Launch with Rocketech: Development Starts with the Release</h2>



<p>When you decide to find an app developer for your startup, most tech vendors will tell you that you need to start with multiple customer interviews, extensive target audience analysis, and competitor investigation. While they are not wrong, and all these steps are vital for a proper project discovery phase, there’s more to it.</p>



<p>Contrary to popular opinion, we’ve learned that <strong>development starts upon the release</strong>. You can test your hypothesis with a lot of theoretical moves. But <strong>you’ll only really validate your business idea once your product is delivered to its intended users</strong>.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">We know how to bring your idea<br>to market in the shortest possible time.<br>Talk to our specialist.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a free call</button></div>


Developing a Startup App in 2023: How to Win the Competition Race

<p>In an ever-evolving software development landscape, innovation and excellence have become essential pillars of success. At Rocketech, we understand the significance of cutting-edge technology in enhancing your business processes, <a href="https://rocketech.it/software-development">services</a>, and products. Today, we are thrilled to share news of our latest achievement that reaffirms our commitment to delivering exceptional software solutions.</p>



<p>We are proud to announce that <strong>The Manifest</strong>, a reputable <a href="https://themanifest.com/ua/software-development/companies/kiev?utm_source=directory&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=TM+Awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agency shortlist</a> and business blog website, has recently honored Rocketech by recognizing us as one of <strong>the most-reviewed software developers in Kyiv</strong>. This recognition holds immense value for us and underscores our dedication to delivering top-tier development services to our clients.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="740" height="1080" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/top_the_manifest_software_developers_kyiv_2023_award.png" alt='The badge saying "Most Reviewed Software Developers in Kyiv by Manifest".' class="wp-image-6156"></figure>



<p>Our journey to this remarkable recognition is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence. At Rocketech, we offer not just software development services but a dedicated Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and a powerhouse of resources. It allows you to focus solely on your core business while we handle the entire software development lifecycle, encompassing project discovery, design, programming, testing, and deployment. Whether you are a fresh startup or an established enterprise, we have your technical needs comprehensively covered.</p>



<p><strong><em>We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients who have stood by us throughout this journey. This award is a testament to your trust and partnership with us. Without your unwavering support, this achievement would not have been possible.</em></strong></p>



<p>This recognition serves as a catalyst for us to continue pushing boundaries and setting new standards in software development. We remain committed to empowering businesses with innovative solutions that drive growth and success. <strong>Your success is our success</strong>.</p>



<p>Our vision extends beyond the present recognition of being one of Kyiv’s most-reviewed software developers. Our future is intricately tied to our mission—<strong>empowering startups to not only get started but to thrive in competitive markets</strong>.</p>



<p>Our role as <strong>experienced tech partners</strong> goes beyond merely delivering software solutions. We act as a catalyst for emerging startups, helping them grow and scale efficiently in fiercely competitive landscapes. Our commitment to transparent pricing, rapid project kick-offs, and on-the-fly result forecasting is tailored to meet the unique needs of startups, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and adapt to evolving market conditions swiftly.</p>



<p>Trustworthy, long-term tech partnerships are the lifeblood of startups. We understand the challenges of navigating uncharted waters, and we’re here to provide continuous support, mentorship, and expert guidance. These partnerships are not just about initial success; they’re about ensuring sustainable growth and longevity in the ever-changing tech ecosystem.</p>



<p>Our recent recognition by The Manifest affirms our dedication to excellence, and it’s a testament to our ability to support startups in achieving their goals. We believe that our success is intrinsically linked to the success of the startups we empower.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Ready to level up your business?<br>Talk to our experts.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a free call</button></div>


Rocketech Receives the Manifest’s Recognition as One of Kyiv's Most Reviewed Software Developers

<p>Many startup founders dream of achieving unicorn status or, at the very least, making a big splash with their product in the market. No matter what you offer to the world, it’s crucial to understand how your target audience will react, preferably before full-scale sales begin. It’s where a <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">minimum viable product</a> comes to the rescue. <strong>Startup MVP development is a complex game with multiple variables</strong> that can help businesses set sail on the right course from the beginning.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/benefits-of-mvp-dev-for-startups-1-1.png" alt="Two professionals in an office environment in front of a computer screen discuss the project of MVP development for a startup" class="wp-image-6121" width="680" height="482"></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What Is an MVP?</strong></h2>



<p>Back in 2005, YouTube started as a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/16/youtube-past-video-dating-website" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/16/youtube-past-video-dating-website" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">video dating site</a>. Instagram, on the other hand, was originally named <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/07/instagram-used-to-be-called-brbn/373815/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/07/instagram-used-to-be-called-brbn/373815/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burbn</a> (yes, after an alcoholic drink) and served as a planner where people could tag locations, share photos, and earn points. But both ideas didn’t catch on as expected. So, the companies analyzed their numbers, listened to users’ feedback, and made a pivot.</p>



<p>The term MVP, which stands for Minimum Viable Product, is not about lines of code or a website; <strong>it’s about testing hypotheses and quickly getting a startup to a functional state</strong>. The concept was <a href="http://www.startuplessonslearned.com/2009/03/minimum-viable-product.html" data-type="URL" data-id="http://www.startuplessonslearned.com/2009/03/minimum-viable-product.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">popularized </a>by Eric Ries through his Lean Startup methodology. <strong>It is essentially the earliest version of a product that’s available for testing</strong>.</p>



<p>The core principle of the Minimum Viable Product can be summed up as “Dream big, start small.” It’s based on a step-by-step development approach where each iteration is tested with real consumers. This process allows companies to gather feedback, identify risks, fix mistakes, and even gauge if there’s demand for their offering — all at the early stages.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p></p>
<cite><br>An MVP is like a trial run that helps a startup refine its product and strategy before going all in.</cite></blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-primary-color has-gray-100-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>Here are <strong>three key principles of a quality MVP</strong>:</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<ol>
<li><strong>Value to </strong><strong>s</strong><strong>tart:</strong> The product should offer enough value that consumers are eager to start using it.</li>



<li><strong>Future </strong><strong>p</strong><strong>otential:</strong> It should contain the core aspects of the product a company plans to develop in the future, making users anticipate the final launch.</li>



<li><strong>Feedback </strong><strong>l</strong><strong>oop:</strong> The MVP gathers feedback on product quality, helping the company address any shortcomings and enhance the final version.</li>
</ol>



<p>Each development stage brings the product to a higher level. Then, it gets directly to customers who test it and provide input for potential improvements. This way, <strong>MVPs help test hypotheses and avoid bad decisions before they harm the entire business</strong>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>It Always Starts With an Idea</strong></h3>



<p>The search for great ideas isn’t a straight line. It’s more like loops that sometimes circle back on themselves and occasionally take you to the next step. There are six steps in this process:</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Problem-finding:</strong> Identifying the problem.</li>



<li><strong>Solution hunt:</strong> Looking for solutions to the problems found.</li>



<li><strong>Prototyping:</strong> Building a prototype.</li>



<li><strong>Testing:</strong> Testing the prototype.</li>



<li><strong>Feedback:</strong> Gathering feedback.</li>



<li><strong>Adjustments:</strong> Making necessary adjustments.</li>
</ol>



<p>Each step could be a loop. You need to revisit these steps over and over, sometimes going back a few steps if your hypothesis doesn’t work out. And if the original idea proves unfeasible during testing or feedback, that’s when the product needs to <strong>pivot</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Benefits of </strong><strong>MVP Development for Startups</strong></h2>



<p>Building and <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">launching a strong MVP</a> is a strategic move that, if done right, benefits startups on multiple levels, from cutting costs and saving resourcing to optimizing the business model and attracting potential investors’ attention. Here’s about the main <strong>advantages of MPV development for startups</strong> in more detail.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="2000" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/benefits-of-mvp-dev-for-startups.png" alt="An infographic listing five main benefits of MVP development for startups" class="wp-image-6117"></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Resource Efficiency</strong></h3>



<p>Through early real-world customer testing of the MVP, the company can identify errors during the initial phases. This enables improved financial planning and adaptations to the business model, leading to time savings. Every successive iteration surpasses the prior one in effectiveness. Consequently, customers receive a high-caliber product tailored to their requirements.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fast Time to Market</strong></h3>



<p>Speed really matters in the world of startups. From this perspective, <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/from-idea-to-launch-the-startups-guide-to-reducing-time-to-market" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/from-idea-to-launch-the-startups-guide-to-reducing-time-to-market" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">time to market</a> is not simply about being fast but about gaining competitive advantage. The formula is fairly straightforward — the faster you are in the market, the sooner you generate revenue. The MVP approach facilitates the iterative process of learning and improving the offering based on real-world feedback. Put simply, reducing time to market enables startups to capitalize on market opportunities and increase their chances of success.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-regular"><table class="has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>The Minimum Viable Product enables startups to confront reality swiftly and allocate their budget more effectively before and during the project launch.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Early Customer Acquisition</strong></h3>



<p>The examination of each iteration with actual customers aids startups in discovering potential purchasers even prior to the official sales debut. As people test the fundamental MVP features, they can assess the future product’s potential.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Matching Supply and Demand</strong></h3>



<p>According to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/startup-failure-reasons-top/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/startup-failure-reasons-top/" target="_blank">CB Insights</a>, 35% of startups face failure because of no market need. This signifies that the solution the product intended to provide didn’t meet customer pain properly. Grasping and heeding the customer’s wishes and desires is vital. The MVP helps the business align the product with market requirements.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Elevating Investment Prospects</strong></h3>



<p>Investors are more likely to think about giving money if they can see a real version as opposed to unrealistic concepts on paper. Being able to use a model of the product and understand its main features makes the project more attractive for getting funded. Generally, investors feel more sure about companies that can show they can do things well and deliver the product on time. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Why Speed Matters</strong></h2>



<p>Imagine a startup, let’s call it MedSolution, that has a grand vision to revolutionize patient-doctor communication. The three founders invest their private savings to build a cutting-edge platform with extensive features like AI-driven symptom analysis, in-depth medical record management, and virtual medical tests. Striving for perfection, <strong>the founders spend over a year creating their product and perfecting each intricate detail</strong>.</p>



<p><strong>Meanwhile, the market’s needs shift</strong>. Users now favor simplified telemedicine platforms that offer quick video consultations and easy appointment scheduling. By the time MedSolution launched, they found themselves with a feature-rich product that was out of touch with what users wanted — timely and accessible healthcare.</p>



<p>The delay cost them not only their chance to capture a loyal user base but also the trust of investors who sought adaptable and agile ventures.</p>



<p>In turn, a parallel startup, let’s call it VitaCare, monitors the shifting landscape and takes an alternative approach. They <strong>quickly launch a stripped-down MVP</strong> — a straightforward video consultation platform connecting patients with doctors instantly.</p>



<p>By focusing on speed and user feedback, VitaCare <strong>addresses the immediate market needs</strong>. With each release, they iteratively add features based on user input, gradually expanding their offering. They grow and develop with a limited budget till they build the product that can attract investors’ attention and expand dramatically.</p>



<p><em>In this hypothetical story, MedSolution’s meticulous development approach led to a well-crafted product that didn’t match what users actually wanted. On the other hand, VitaCare quickly made a simple product that people needed and improved it based on their feedback. The alternative way took VitaCare to user engagement, investor confidence, and sustainable growth.</em></p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Need to launch your product ahead of the competition?<br>We know how to cut the time. </div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Talk to us</button></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Main MVP Types</strong></h2>



<p><strong>The MVP’s main goal is to test the upcoming product with a real audience</strong>. It means that the quality and accuracy of the test results can notably influence how quickly and effectively the development process goes. That’s why there are two main types of minimum viable products — <strong>high-fidelity</strong> and <strong>low-fidelity</strong>. These can be combined or used concurrently.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Low-Fidelity MVPs</strong></h3>



<p>These MVPs have lower reliability and imply simplified data collection methods. They don’t require extensive programming or significant financial investment but provide less precise outcomes. Their main objectives are:</p>



<ul>
<li>To assess the practical value of the product.</li>



<li>To identify the most effective and sought-after solutions to the problem.</li>



<li>To aid in defining and understanding customer needs.</li>



<li>To conduct a niche analysis and determine if the game is worth the candle.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Here are some low-fidelity MVP types</strong>:</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Blogs:</strong> Creating simple blog posts to gauge interest and gather feedback on a product idea or concept.</li>



<li><strong>Forums and communities:</strong> Engaging in discussions within forums or online communities to validate demand and gather insights.</li>



<li><strong>Surveys and questionnaires:</strong> Conducting surveys to gather user opinions and preferences related to the product idea.</li>



<li><strong>Landing page:</strong> Designing a basic landing page highlighting the product concept and capturing user interest.</li>



<li><strong>Explainer video MVP:</strong> Developing explanatory videos to showcase the product idea and its potential benefits.</li>



<li><strong>Advertising campaign:</strong> Running targeted ads or promotions to assess user response and measure interest.</li>



<li><strong>Crowdfunding campaign:</strong> Launching a campaign on crowdfunding platforms to validate demand and attract backers.</li>



<li><strong>Idea review services:</strong> Utilizing platforms that review and assess new ideas, validating interest and potential for development.</li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>High-Fidelity MVPs</strong></h3>



<p>These MVPs require more preparation, resources, and analytical work. They are used for:</p>



<ul>
<li>Formulating and enhancing marketing approach.</li>



<li>Experimenting with value offerings, modes of communication, and calls to action.</li>



<li>Investigating feasible expansion tactics.</li>



<li>Gaining initial patrons and footholds in the market.</li>



<li>Evaluating data regarding the appetite for the newly crafted product.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Here are some high-fidelity MVP types</strong>:</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Feature MVP</strong> focuses on building and releasing a product with a single core feature. It’s often used to test the viability and demand for a specific feature before investing in full product development.</li>



<li><strong>Single-Use MVP</strong> is designed to solve a particular problem for a specific audience. It targets a niche need and aims to demonstrate the product’s value in a highly focused manner.</li>



<li>“<strong>Concierge” MVPs </strong>is an approach when the product is manually operated by the development team, simulating its functionality for users. This helps validate the concept and gather user feedback before building a fully automated version.</li>



<li>“<strong>Wizard of Oz” MVPs</strong> are similar to the “concierge” MVPs. They involve manually providing certain features the user believes are automated. Behind the scenes, the functionality might be manual or simulated. This is useful for testing user reactions and gauging demand.</li>



<li>“<strong>Piecemeal” MVPs </strong>involve building a minimal version by integrating third-party tools, services, or platforms. This helps test the integration and user experience while minimizing development effort.</li>



<li><strong>A non-functional prototype MVP </strong>(or a mockup) is developed to visually represent the product’s user interface and interactions. This can be useful for early-stage testing and feedback on the design.</li>



<li><strong>Pre-order MVPs</strong> involve offering the product for pre-order, where customers can place orders for a product that’s not yet fully developed. This provides insights into demand and allows for early revenue generation.</li>



<li>In<strong> smoke test MVPs</strong>, ads or promotions for the product are run to gauge interest. When users click on these ads, they might be led to a page indicating that the product is “coming soon” or “under development.” This helps validate demand before investing further.</li>



<li>“<strong>Concierge” onboarding MVPs</strong> involve manually guiding users through the onboarding process and helping them achieve their goals using the product. It provides insights into user behavior and pain points.</li>
</ol>



<p>The choice of an MVP type depends on the product’s nature, goals, target audience, and available resources. The key is to create the simplest version of the product that can effectively validate assumptions, gather feedback, and demonstrate value to potential users.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Building the Foundation: Final Thoughts on MVP Development for Startups</h2>



<p>Building an MVP is about <strong>the process</strong>, in contrast to, for example, drawing a visual prototype. It’s about the process of <strong>hypothesis testing</strong>, <strong>collecting feedback</strong>, <strong>improvements</strong>, and <strong>entering new niches</strong>. Mastering this process helps prevent wasting money and energy on creating useless and needless products — which, in turn, means better market environment and conditions.</p>



<p>This process, however, can be overwhelming and confusing. That’s where it makes sense to look for trustworthy <strong>MPV development services for startups</strong>. Finding an experienced tech partner focusing on guiding new ventures through the complexities of the process may become the first step in the journey to becoming a unicorn</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Do you have a business idea that needs validation but don’t know where to start? We are here to help.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Ask us</button></div>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p></p>


The Strategic Advantage of MVP Development for Startups

<p>At the outset, when the team is still small, all interaction is based on personal contacts. But as the team grows, these contacts are interrupted. Over time, the question arises, ‘How to maintain synchrony in architecture, technology, standards, and process tasks?’ The answer is to implement the <strong>Community of Practice</strong> approach.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-primary-color has-gray-50-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>💡 <strong>Communities of Practice (CoPs) are professional groups regularly collaborating to exchange information, develop competencies, increase productivity, and strengthen general knowledge in their domains.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p><strong>Specialized CoP teams act as processes and standards synchronization centers, accumulate knowledge, and develop competencies within Rocketech.</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/48.png" alt="The Community of Practice team members are holding puzzle pieces as a symbol of teamwork and efficiency." class="wp-image-5431"></figure>



<p>We prepared our guide on developing a <strong>Community of Practice in a remote team</strong> and the main mistakes in implementing this project. Our approach can help business owners avoid these mistakes and discover unique opportunities for their employees to influence company development.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><strong>Creating a Community of Practice: Basic Mistakes</strong></strong></h2>



<p>Like many teams, we started creating the Community of Practice on a <strong>volunteer basis</strong>. Recognizing the need for specialists to share their experiences, we suggested that <strong>team leads undertake the project themselves</strong>. However, this turned out a common mistake, as assigning responsibility for community management and development to just one leader is not ideal.</p>



<p>Moreover, it is not enough to merely offer your employees a chance to share experiences. It is crucial to <strong>endorse this concept and establish an environment fostering its growth</strong>. At the start of the project, you need the resources for launching and organizing systematic community work, implementing community-generated ideas, and ensuring meetings’ regularity and format.</p>



<p><strong>This is how our Scrum masters’ time became such a valuable resource. They were involved in the project and took over the management and support functions.</strong></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Scrum Team Contributions</strong></h3>



<p>To improve efficiency and productivity, our Scrum team worked on various initiatives. Here are some of the results:</p>



<ul>
<li>The Community of Practice concept;</li>



<li>Development of the structure and number of communities within Rocketech;</li>



<li>Methodology for work planning within the community;</li>



<li>A list of the company’s priority tasks (at the launch period), which each community could take on.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>
</ul>



<p>The start of the project showed that the decision to increase the resources and invite the Scrum team to manage the project was the right one. It made it possible to ensure systematic and regular community work. Sometimes, you should invest extra time and effort to get a functional product.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Communities of Practice 3.0: Rocketech’s Blueprint for Building Stronger Teams</h2>



<p>Communities of Practice are based on the initiative of people willing and able to share and transfer knowledge. We keep this principle despite our communities shifting from self-management to Scrum-team management.<strong> The mission of the CoP project is to create a space that encourages people to develop professionally and help others to do so.</strong></p>



<p>As for now, we have launched four specific communities:</p>



<ol>
<li>Scrum;</li>



<li>Backend;</li>



<li>Business Analytics;</li>



<li>Quality Assurance.</li>
</ol>



<p>Our short-term plans include launching the OS community.<br><strong>All communities follow the global goal — to ensure the highest quality level when executing projects.</strong> “Quality” in the project context means:</p>



<ul>
<li>The development and implementation of standards and ensuring compliance with them for each competency.</li>



<li>Devising the competence working principles.</li>



<li>Organizing your work by creating libraries and directories, setting up a repository, and adding specific problem cases to the database to standardize your workflow and accumulate practical experience for future projects.</li>



<li>Introduction of mentoring and support practices.</li>



<li>Developing the culture of learning and mentoring within the company (including workshops, case studies, and joint work on complex tasks as part of the Communities of Practice).</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-gray-100-background-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>The whole community idea is based on two main functions:<br>📌 <strong>The project function </strong>is knowledge systematization and workflow standardization.<br>📌 <strong>The current function</strong> is to become a shared knowledge center where team members can receive mentorship from experienced developers and managers, seek advice, and share their own experiences.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<div class="wp-block-blog-quote wp-block-quote"><div class="wp-block-quote__text"><p>“The emotional component of Communities of Practice is the opportunity for developers to feel that they are not alone in the challenges and difficulties of their project. The community will ensure the chosen solution is correct and help people avoid feeling lonely and isolated. It is crucial for remote work and projects without large teams and many specialists of the same profile.”</p></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__aside"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__image" style='background-image:url("https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/natasha-chistyakova.jpg")'></div></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__content"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__name"><strong>Natalia Chistyakova</strong></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__info">Lead Scrum Master</div></div></div></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Positive Impact of Communities of Practice on Working Conditions</h2>



<p>The initiative added several regular meetings to the project participants’ calendars and made their lives more colorful. The reason is simple: they personally create a new reality and influence changes in the company.</p>



<p>All the community work implies a <strong>specific algorithm</strong>. First, each group sets goals for the month. They present these goals to the CoP team lead (as mentioned above, this person is not a community member but a Scrum team representative).</p>



<p>The criterion for choosing a goal is the impact on improving the quality of our work. It refers to the quality of code, processes, and team interaction — <strong>the overall quality at every project development stage</strong>.</p>



<p>According to the task volume, the participants agree on the working meetings’ frequency and format. During these meetings, the teams discuss interim results and form the backlog for the next one.</p>



<p>Working meetings take place once a week. Moreover, the community gathers at a set time to present the monthly results.</p>



<p>Let’s take our CoP tasks for July 2022 as an example.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>The CoP Scrum Master</strong>: Developing a shared understanding of customer-oriented service for the whole team.</li>



<li><strong>The CoP Business Analytics</strong>: Standardizing the processes to improve interaction with the customer and increase service quality.</li>



<li><strong>The CoP Back</strong>end: Updating the standards for the initial development project stages.</li>



<li><strong>The CoP Quality Assurance</strong>: Updating the standards for working with bug maintaining documentation to improve testing quality.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>
</ul>



<p>Based on the goals, we determined the tasks for each specific area and could quickly see the first results. For example, CoP Scrum Master implemented a new approach to working with customer expectations.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/49.png" alt="The Community of Practice team members are putting their hands together as a symbol of efficient teamwork." class="wp-image-5433"></figure>



<div class="wp-block-blog-quote wp-block-quote"><div class="wp-block-quote__text"><p>“It is vital to organize effective interaction between the customer and the team at the initial stage. We plan to conduct continuous reviews between the product owner and the team to move in sync. We are proud of this block as it will positively impact the entire project.”</p></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__aside"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__image" style='background-image:url("https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ajzhan-bermanova.png")'></div></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__content"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__name"><strong>Aizhan Bermanova</strong></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__info">CoP Scrum Master</div></div></div></div>



<p></p>



<p>The CoP Business Analytics also quickly proved effective. The team created Development Standards for projects and interviews with candidates for a BA position in the company. The next improvement point is the <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Discovery process</a>.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-quote wp-block-quote"><div class="wp-block-quote__text"><p></p><p>“The Community of Practice is the Dedicated Team’s key component. The more well-developed internal competence we have (for example, BA or QA), the more competitive we are and the better service we offer to customers. Thus, the successful CoP launch and the development of quality improvement approaches in all areas are crucial for us.”</p></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__aside"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__image" style='background-image:url("https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sasha-roket2.png")'></div></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__content"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__name"><strong>Alexander Rocket</strong></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__info">Co-Founder of Rocketech</div></div></div></div>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-gray-100-background-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Main Community Principles</strong><br>✔ The CoP is voluntary — we don’t require participation. However, it is mandatory to follow the standards and processes developed by the community and attend the meetings at the end of the month to learn more about the implemented changes.<br>✔ The company pays for all tasks and project meetings.<br>✔ There is no command or task distribution. The communities themselves decide what needs to be done to improve the processes within their competence.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<ul>
<li>
</ul>



<p>Specialized communities act as a classic hub where <strong>participants exchange experience, mentor newcomers, and discuss solutions and questions on current and new projects</strong>. It is where you can always find support and ask a friend for help</p>



<p>Our decision to create internal communities of practice has revolutionized the way we work, resulting in improved efficiency and quality across the board. By promoting a culture of collaboration and shared learning, we have seen a significant increase in the engagement, motivation, and satisfaction of our employees. We are proud to say that this innovative approach has enabled us to deliver outstanding results for our clients, and we will continue to embrace this philosophy to achieve even greater success in the future.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Any questions about our approaches to process management? We are happy to answer them.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a call</button></div>


How to Create a Community of Practice for Your Team

<p>Software development solutions are meant to be configured or custom-built to solve specific customer problems along with perfectly assembling the customized software products. Rocketech does it in an innovative way. It actually helps its clients to bring innovations to life by producing progressive software products using popular technologies.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img decoding="async" src="" alt=""></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.goodfirms.co/company/rocketech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Rocketech</strong></a> was established in 2015 in Kyiv and has now become one of the most powerful software development companies in entire Ukraine. The company specializes in analytics-driven web and mobile app development solutions and has developed 150+ products for more than 100 startups, enterprises, and tech businesses. Rocketech provides popular tech solutions that are highly acclaimed by customers in a variety of niches. </p>



<p>The apps developed by the company get recognized on app stores as ‘The Apps of the Day’, in popular award functions, and in many other app festivals by delivering a good web app experience and more. </p>



<p>Rocketech builds a reliable partnership with its client businesses of different sizes and industries. The company helps its partners by developing new products from scratch and stabilizing their existing products in the market. It develops MVPs for budding entrepreneurs and complex platforms for big-level organizations using Java, JavaScript, Go, PHP, Swift, and other languages and hundreds of other frameworks. The company uses cloud platforms for continuous product development, testing, and deployment. The team also smartly integrates cloud storage into already developed and ready-to-use solutions. </p>



<p>The team readily creates custom UX/UI solutions, brand identity, and illustrations along with all the visual components of the product. The company’s professionals provide the best consultation solution to their partner companies. It focuses on delivering value to the end customers with assuring sure returns to the business owners. The overall key knowledge areas of the tech experts in the company include Front-end Web Technologies, App Programming Interface, Backend Stack, Mobile Apps, Digital Product Design, DevOps, Cloud Providers, and Development Management. </p>



<p>The industries it serves for a variety of IT and tech-related solutions are Social Networks, Online &amp; Streaming Media Platforms, FinTech &amp; Investment Platforms, Review Aggregators, FoodTech &amp; Delivery, Travel &amp; Hospitality, Utilities &amp; Productivity Tools, Property Listings &amp; PropTech, Blockchain Solutions &amp; Crypto, CRM/ERP, Internet of Things, SaaS Platforms, LMS &amp; EdTech, HR Solutions, and E-Commerce &amp; Classified Marketplace.</p>



<p>From concepting, prototyping, to MVPs &amp; Full Product Development, and Scaling, Rocketech develops the full version of the software products a business needs. An entire project in the company starts with business analytics, lean startup coaching, and design thinking that further goes towards the full version of the minimal viable product. The company exceptionally serves its customers worldwide and is recognized as well as appreciated by all the third-party companies and review &amp; rating agencies for their brilliant performance. Rocketech ranks as the <strong><a href="https://www.goodfirms.co/directory/city/top-software-development-companies/kiev" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top software development company in Kyiv</a></strong> in the GoodFirms ranking list, where GoodFirms is a leading review and rating firm that acknowledges the performance of connected businesses.</p>



<p></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img decoding="async" src="" alt=""></figure>


Rocketech’s Innovative Tech-Solutions are Admired Worldwide: GoodFirms

<p>Remember the Akler app we recently developed for our client?</p>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/case/akler" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/case/akler" target="_blank">Akler</a> is a language learning app that helps quickly get the basics of a new language in just a few minutes a day.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cdn.rocketech.it/cases/akler/over.png" alt="" width="903" height="372"></figure>



<p>During the development process we created a unique UI/UX Design.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Our team built:</strong></p>



<p><strong>Backend:</strong> NodeJS, ExpressJS, NextJS, RESTful<br><strong>Frontend:</strong> React, Redux, AntD<br><strong>iOS:</strong>Swift, XCode, UIKit, RxSwift, MVVM, SQLite, CoreData, In-App Purchase, Local Notifications, REST API</p>



<p>We designed the app in a way that would prevent the learning curve from seeming overwhelming or boring.</p>



<p>We’re happy to announce that Akler received <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.designrush.com/best-designs/apps" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.designrush.com/best-designs/apps" target="_blank">the Best App Designs Award 2021 by DesignRush</a>!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2144" height="768" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-412"></figure>



<p>Proud to release such successful apps!<br></p>


The Best App Designs Award 2021

<p>The Clutch 1000 is the firm’s most reputable and exclusive accolade, representing only the top 1% of companies <a href="https://clutch.co/press-releases/clutch-1000-2021-report?utm_campaign=Awards%20Notifications&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=190413387&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--JM8tBkr7AkpTFcDlJI5YfK5b3I55a1JvA_Ac5gDmrBR3jCTs5Sa_VzZrbS5NPbQx_HZ-jP8hGmCWVj-E99F9Ih9_v7A&amp;utm_content=190412339&amp;utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">listed</a> on the platform. This list includes service providers from various locations all over the world that specialize in different services. </p>



<p><a href="https://hackernoon.com/how-to-integrate-security-testing-into-your-software-development-life-cycle-0pdy36az" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Software development</a> has been one of the biggest and fastest-growing industries in the market today. The new technologies coming from this industry have been nothing short of amazing in terms of improving businesses and companies’ performance. ROCKETECH has been in the middle of this phenomenon! Founded in 2015, our team has been one of the go-to development companies for analytics-driven software solutions.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/iLXK009SrPa6RWJn7vxiaJAEQlFmp7xAusIY9WkZq8i-EMTcvNGfZIJJDf2obeUuZhemFLI6i3NgjHli3JghlTFA-IqJJlT2q8bcTbuOl2d72ovbV1ufqHmmOPJMM7ibgyUpZ7Qq" alt="" width="270" height="270"></figure></div>


<p>Today, we are looking to harvest the seed of our hard work! We are very excited to announce that we’ve been recognized as one of the top 1000 companies in Clutch’s platform this 2021. Our team is honored to be on this year’s list alongside impeccable and admirable companies from different industries all around the world.</p>



<p>In case this is the first time you are hearing about Clutch, they are <a href="http://clutch.co/developers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a B2B platform</a> in the heart of Washington, DC, committed to helping small, mid-market, and enterprise businesses identify and connect with the service providers they need to achieve their goals.</p>



<p>Of course, this award wouldn’t be possible without the help of our clients and partners. You guys have been awesome and your support is truly what helped us in winning these awards throughout these years. We are grateful for all your support and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.</p>



<p>You can also check us out at one of the <a href="http://visualobjects.com/ua/app-development/ios/location/kyiv" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leading firms on Visual Objects</a>. We are featured as one of the best application development companies on their site! Check us out and our profile on their site today! </p>



<p>Interested in knowing more about us and our services? <a href="https://rocketech.it/contacts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a> with our team today and we’ll get back to you ASAP.</p>


ROCKETECH Seals the Spot on Clutch’s List of Top 1000 Companies this 2021

<p>In Steven Spielberg’s 2002 movie <em>Minority Report</em>, futuristic technologies help the police analyze people’s intentions, prevent crimes, and arrest criminals before committing an offense. What if this scenario is not impossible, and we are moving toward <em>that</em> future at full speed?</p>



<p><strong>The Internet of Behaviors</strong> (<strong>IoB</strong>) is one of the catching-on trends of tomorrow, already causing a lot of discussions. In its 2021 forecast, <strong><em>Gartner </em></strong>placed the Internet of Behaviors as number one in the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-top-strategic-technology-trends-for-2021" target="_blank">top 10 of strategic technology trends</a> “that IT professionals cannot ignore.” According to the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://emtemp.gcom.cloud/ngw/globalassets/en/information-technology/documents/insights/top-tech-trends-ebook-2021.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>, by 2023, 40% of the world’s population will be tracked by IoB devices. The researchers expect this number to reach 50% by 2025.</p>



<p><em>What is IoB, and how will it affect different industries in the very near future?</em></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iob.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4879"></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What Is the Internet of Behaviors?</strong></h2>



<p>Until relatively recently, business strategies were mostly based on the data obtained from market research. There are two types of it:</p>



<ul>
<li><em>Qualitative research</em> represents the consumer’s reaction to the product;</li>



<li><em>Quantitative research</em> allows for determining the market capacity, target audience, etc.</li>
</ul>



<p>But the Internet’s deep penetration into all business fields has transformed the classic approach. The new instruments help marketers and business strategists collect and process huge amounts of data. It led to the emergence of holistic ecosystems like the <strong><a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/iot-trends-for-smart-homes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Internet of Things</a> </strong>(<strong>IoT</strong>). However, the interpretation of data remained manual and often subjective.</p>



<p>A unified system that analyzes the collected data from the point of view of behavioral psychology known as <strong>the Internet of Behaviors</strong> (<strong>IoB</strong>) was a logical next step in technological evolution. The history of the Internet of Behaviors started when the term was <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://gotepoem.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/the-psychology-behind-internet-of-behaviors-ib/" target="_blank">coined</a> by professor Gote Nyman from the University of Helsinki in 2012.</p>



<p>How does the Internet of Behaviors work? The concept of IoB combines many sources of so-called “<strong>digital dust</strong>” — <em>individual data reflecting people’s activity</em>. These sources include:</p>



<ul>
<li>Personal devices (smartphones, smartwatches);</li>



<li>Microchip implants (health monitors for checking temperature, blood pressure, and sugar level);</li>



<li>Recognition systems (face and voice recognition, location tracking);</li>



<li>Social media activity.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="2000" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/digital-dust.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4871"></figure>



<p>Have you ever noticed how paid ads in your Facebook feed change depending on what you’ve searched on Google? That is the real-life experience of how the Internet of Behaviors works (keep in mind the manipulation of user behavior by controlling data on the Internet). Imagine a pyramid with four levels. IoT would take the pyramid base with <em>Data</em> and <em>Information</em>. Having <em>Knowledge</em> as the next level, IoB would rest <em>Wisdom</em> on the pyramid’s top.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Internet of Behaviors: Where and How?</strong></h2>



<p>Simply put, IoB <strong>integrates </strong><em>big data analysis</em>, <em>facial recognition</em>, and <em>location analysis</em> <em>technologies </em>that have long been applied separately. But in this approach, a <strong>human body essentially becomes a data platform</strong>. If the Internet of Things connects all the devices in an ecosystem, the Internet of Behaviors metaphorically creates a global network of living people.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><strong>The Internet of Behaviors metaphorically creates a global network of living people.</strong></p>
</blockquote>



<p>In the mentioned report, <em>Gartner</em> names <strong>people centricity</strong> as the first theme of the year. The social shift caused by the global pandemic showed businesses how important it is to <strong>remain customer-oriented to stay afloat</strong> revealing the meaning of behavioral technology. And this theme defines the entire IoB concept. Already today, we can predict the pathways technology will take to penetrate our life.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#1 Smart Human Resources Management</strong> <strong>Using IoB</strong></h3>



<p>Technology analyzing employee communication within enterprise internal systems already exists. It helps executives and HR departments identify formal and informal leaders who can become successful managers. In a multi-thousand-employee environment, such tools become vital for maximum-efficiency resource management. Besides, they automate the trajectory of an employee’s professional development.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#2 The Internet of Behaviors Technology for Improved Logistics</strong></h3>



<p>Already today, transportation companies use all sorts of sensors and solutions to track their drivers’ direction, speed, braking patterns, and safety belt position. And advanced algorithms based on a big data analysis plan optimal routes according to real-time traffic updates to reduce the number of left turns or the idling time at traffic lights.</p>



<p>Using the Internet of Behaviors applications, UPS <a href="https://getcircuit.com/teams/blog/why-ups-drivers-dont-make-left-turns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reduced</a> the idling time by 15.4 million minutes (that is more than 28 years!) and delivery routes by more than 1.7 million miles (that is almost 200,000 gallons of fuel) in one year.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#3 IoB-Driven Medicine of the Future</strong></h3>



<p><em>Wi-Fi-controlled pacemakers, smart lenses with AR integrations, smart electronic pills, Bluetooth-connected hearing aid, fertility trackers, and brain-computer interfaces that help people with neuromuscular disorders</em> — although it still sounds like a sci-fi narrative, these devices are not that far from us.</p>



<p>Many fitness, sleep-tracking, and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/case/practiqa" target="_blank">habit-building apps</a> already use algorithms based on behavior analytics. Such software generates <strong>personalized health advice</strong> according to the user’s preferences, routines, and collected data. </p>



<p>In addition, we are close to the moment when doctors will be able to receive the patient’s medical data in real time, regardless of the location. It will enable thousands of options for remote and more objective treatment. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#4 Sustainability Among the Internet of Behaviors Trends</strong></h3>



<p>Environmental and sustainability issues are among the challenges humanity has been facing in the past decades. Since they are addressed on a governmental level, they require implementing cutting-edge technologies. Although the IoB trend is relatively new to the academic environment, some research already shows the potential of moving in this direction.</p>



<p>In their 2021 research, Elayan et al. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2109.07239" target="_blank">examined</a> <strong>how IoB can influence IoT if combined with explainable artificial intelligence</strong> (explainable AI or XAI). Remarkably, unlike many other studies focusing strictly on consumer behavior in marketing, the researchers investigated the possibility of reducing global power consumption and cost.</p>



<p>The proposed approach includes <em>five steps</em>:</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>User</strong>: Tracking user behavior;</li>



<li><strong>IoT</strong>: Collecting the behavioral data using IoT devices; </li>



<li><strong>Data analytics</strong>: Using data analytics and machine learning tools to extract useful information;</li>



<li><strong>Behavioral science</strong>: Understanding obtained information using behavioral sciences to gain knowledge;</li>



<li><strong>Business strategy</strong>: Reacting to insights based on business strategies to achieve particular outcomes.</li>
</ol>



<p>The system developed for the research proved to be functional. Moreover, the scientists reported a positive <em>correlation between decreasing the global active power and reducing the power intensity</em>. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#5</strong> <strong>Enhanced Customer Experience</strong></h3>



<p>As business becomes more consumer-centric, customers become spoiled. Potential buyers will leave the web page if it takes longer than a few seconds to load. Existing customers will switch companies if they once had a somewhat unpleasant experience with their current supplier. Competition for the customer’s dollar and loyalty is the driving force for businesses across industries.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><strong>Competition for the customer’s dollar and loyalty is the driving force for businesses across industries.</strong></p>
</blockquote>



<p>What can be better than a timely implementation of the latest technological trends for winning the competitor race? Ultimately, any business tries to provide a <strong>better customer experience</strong> (CX). And using IoB applications can significantly improve it in several directions.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Maximized Personalization</h4>



<p><strong>Personalization is a key to service effectiveness</strong>. People like to feel special and be heard. This approach helps companies gain and maintain customer loyalty. For example, <em>Spotify</em> became extremely popular due to its <em>Discover</em> <em>Weekly</em> feature. The algorithm analyzes the music you listened to in the past and creates a personalized suggestion playlist. Moreover, it tracks your reaction to the suggested tracks and adjusts the playlist if you skip some songs.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Precise Suggestions</h4>



<p><strong>Precise suggestions are the most important part of personalization</strong>. Like <em>Spotify</em> and its personalized playlists, <em>Facebook</em>, <em>Netflix</em>, and <em>YouTube</em> actively use machine learning predictive algorithms to provide us with suggestions. In the future, these services might know if you are in a bad mood to cheer you up or help you overcome a painful breakup.  </p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Flawless Business-Customer Interaction</h4>



<p>IoB will inevitably become an integral part of CRM (customer relationship management) platforms. Advanced customer data analytics will help businesses provide the highest-level service and instantaneous support.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Advanced On-Demand Services</h4>



<p><em>Uber</em> is a great example of using the Internet of Behaviors technologies. The company uses IoT data on both drivers and passengers and collects feedback. Soon, there will be no need for doing surveys and rating rides manually — trained algorithms will track drivers’ behavior and passengers’ reactions and make decisions on further CX improvement.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Ultimate Customer Satisfaction</h4>



<p>In 2018, a Sydney-based café <em>Bahista</em> started using facial recognition to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/facial-recognition-with-your-takeaway-coffee-20171221-h08qb5.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remember and identify their customers</a>. The technology helps the owner “remember” his regulars and suggest perfect drinks to new guests according to their age, gender, and mood. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Security or Total Control?</strong></h2>



<p>Despite the concept’s utopian image and all the Internet of Behaviors benefits, the global implementation of IoB has critical social implications. The main issue here is a personal security breach. On the one hand, collecting “digital dust” is a law enforcement effective tool for identifying criminals and preventing crime. Policymakers have already discussed if <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.relativity.com/blog/murder-data-privacy-and-the-internet-of-things/" target="_blank">voice assistants can be considered crime witnesses</a>. And on the other hand, in many cases, it means a violation of data confidentiality.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>Yet, </em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.securityindustry.org/report/u-s-public-opinion-research-on-the-support-of-facial-recognition/" target="_blank"><em>according</em></a><em> to a Security Industry Association survey, 57% of respondents were positive about including their image in the global </em><strong><em>facial recognition</em></strong><em> database for public safety. And 68% believe using such instruments can make society safer.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<p>As our “digital dust” contains tons of sensitive data like <em>financial information</em> or <em>medical records</em>, implementing IoB tools means <strong>more advanced levels of security</strong>. Protecting technologies, employees, customers, and investments requires a comprehensive approach using appropriate IoT protocols and instruments. Microsoft <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/overview/internet-of-things-iot/iot-security-cybersecurity/" target="_blank">recommends</a> a three-pronged approach — <strong>connection, devices, and data protection</strong>:</p>



<ol>
<li>Secure device provisioning;</li>



<li>Safe ways of connecting devices to the cloud;</li>



<li>Protecting data in the cloud during storage and processing.</li>
</ol>



<p>Another point of concern for many is IoB’s <strong>legal background</strong>. As it’s yet one of the emerging technology trends, there’s no single, united legal system regulating the use of the technology and its ethical implications. Most probably, we’ll need to develop international legal instruments, norms, and ethical codes to avoid the disastrous consequences of technology misuse.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></h2>



<p>Provided the extraordinary pace of tech development, some industries will soon undergo another evolutionary transformation. Logistics will become more efficient with precise algorithms and predictions. The concept of “fashionable” may simply disappear as the fashion industry will provide personalized advice and create a unique wardrobe for each customer. Life expectancy and quality are most likely to increase with the implementation of hi-tech trends and monitoring systems based on individual characteristics.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Looking for a tech partner to build an innovative and marketable digital product? We can help.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a call</button></div>



<p>Hardly anyone can deny the impact of Internet marketing on consumer behavior. What we are witnessing today is quite advanced ways of analyzing and influencing customer behavior. Marketers use the Internet of Behaviors marketing to get closer to consumers — existing and potential. Developers make their products as personalized as possible based on user activity analytics. </p>



<p>The Internet of Behaviors has unprecedented potential to change our perception of reality. At Rocketech, we have experience in creating innovative, cutting-edge digital products that created a strong competitive advantage for our clients. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/contacts" target="_blank">Contact us</a> directly for more information.</p>


Internet of Behaviors: What Do Marketers Know About You?

<p>The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s perspectives on many things. And above all — their attitude to overall well-being. Long lockdowns and social distancing restrictions have given the health, fitness, and wellness industry an unprecedented boost. However, while the world is gradually returning to the pre-pandemic lifestyles, most experts agree that digitization is here to stay, forming our “new normal”.</p>



<p>If you are thinking of how to start a fitness app or already have fitness app ideas, the Rocketech analysts put together business and tech insights that would help you better understand the latest industry trends.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>How Digitisation Changed the Fitness and Wellness Industry</strong></h2>



<p>The pandemic’s beginning affected the fitness and wellness industry heavily. Suddenly, gyms, yoga studios, and personal trainers couldn’t provide their services. It led to all sorts of video streaming and mobile apps becoming extremely popular. Businesses needed to come up with new ways to stay afloat in a short time.</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/digital-health/digital-fitness-well-being/digital-fitness-well-being-apps/fitness-apps/worldwide#revenue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Statista</a>, <strong>fitness apps</strong> generated over $13 billion in revenue in 2021 and are projected to bring their owners over $30 billion worldwide by 2026. Moreover, if you dive deeper into fitness app stats, you’ll see that <em>MyFitnessPal</em> alone made <a href="https://www.businessofapps.com/data/fitness-app-market/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">over $40 million</a> for its developers in 2021. </p>



<p>Today, health and wellness products form an entire industry as many people have gotten used to enjoying all the benefits of fully personalized services in the comfort of their homes. Furthermore, wellness is no longer “simply the absence of disease” but a multidimensional concept that includes physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and other aspects. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fitness App Types</strong></h2>



<p>The multidimensional approach combined with the digitization of all areas of human life has created various types of applications and other tech-driven products. Due to a lot of market competition, such products have become more personalized and precisely target different audiences according to not only age, weight, or fitness goals but also users’ lifestyles, personal preferences, and <em>opinions</em>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zMRtGszkjCFQDfLLM3_sdlvq9KGmYt4SxVDgcrWrcB2uRZGjvhRwZj87AUDEApS360i7MBlgzO3zFnbDvZICA_jOvkC_chBpBbAgBzOuvr7DMXJ4IUtPEPgWk92EBwnY8gBNB5SmskUJuGbgag" alt="A picture containing text, businesscard, vector graphics

Description automatically generated"></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Workout Apps</strong></h3>



<p>It’s perhaps the most popular type of fitness app. The app should include workout plans and content describing techniques and workout kits. The main goal of this fitness app is to show how to do exercises, as well as keep track of workouts and progress in an easy-to-understand form.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Trackers</strong></h3>



<p>Fitness tracker app development takes up the largest segment of the related market. These are relatively simple apps that monitor specific parameters (that’s their main goal). It can be the number of calories consumed, distance traveled over a certain period, running speed, or times of activity (or inactivity for sleep trackers). The app uses a mobile phone accelerometer or connects to third-party devices like a heart rate monitor or fitness bracelet.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>Creative ideas help businesses create in-demand niche products. </p>



<p><a href="https://rocketech.it/case/steps" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Project Steps</em></a> combines a fitness tracker, a coupon application, and a social network for a local community. Not only are users creating healthy routines but also staying motivated by the offers from restaurants, eco stores, fitness centres and other merchants advocating healthy lifestyles.</p>
</blockquote>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Personal Trainers</strong></h3>



<p>Such apps can become game-changers for physical gyms and fitness centers. They enhance the customer interaction experience and strengthen branding strategies. Businesses can advertise new training programs, particular professionals, or special offers. Users interact directly with training coaches and get personalized advice and training plans that easily fit their schedules. Besides, you business owners can organize online seminars and integrate the payment systems for people who visit the physical locations.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Nutrition and Dieting Apps</strong></h3>



<p>These applications are designed for people who want to lose weight, increase muscle mass or improve their lifestyle by redesigning their eating habits. A good app for nutrition control should be able to adjust to the user: keep records, set goals, and monitor progress. The best products usually include calorie calculators, recipes, nutritional advice, and social media integrations. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Wellness Apps</strong></h3>



<p>It’s a category of apps for non-standard fitness classes often accommodating more sophisticated tastes: yoga, meditation, sleep analysis, Asian fitness, mindfulness, habit builders, and other methods of improving lifestyles. Video, audio, and motivational content, manuals, reflections, and time tracking are essential for the best wellness apps.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>Today, the concept of wellness takes a more comprehensive approach.<br><a href="https://rocketech.it/case/practiqa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Practiqa</em></a> is a habit tracker and coach based on behavioural psychology and personal motivation. The app helps people build and maintain new habits consciously with little effort.<br><a href="https://rocketech.it/case/kanku" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Interactive Kyokushin Book</em></a> is a detailed and interactive mobile assistant for karate self-learning. It provides users with guides, images, video lessons and personalised advice and uses a realistic 3D model to visualise move explanations.</p>
</blockquote>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Multi-Functional Apps</strong></h3>



<p>These are versatile solutions that combine exercise guides, detailed training statistics, nutrition advice, personal trainer recommendations, and paid gym memberships. Full-featured apps have impressive business potential — flexibility in monetization, ability to implement paid features, and increased audience. However, combining more functionality in one service increases development costs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fitness and Wellness App Features</strong></h2>



<p>How do you create a health and wellness app? Provided that you already have the concept, target audience and business goals, you need to focus on the set of features for your application. While narrow-niche solutions certainly have specific functionality, all fitness products share particular requirements.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Login</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Sign-in integrations through email, social media, and phone numbers make the entire registration and authentication process much easier and bring more user interaction with the product.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>User Profile</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>To get results, users need access to personal data, statistics, and analytics. An achievement system and dashboards keep them motivated. You can score bonus points for personalization user experience.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>User Activity Monitoring</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>It’s essential for evaluating results as well as setting and adjusting goals. This feature helps users collect and analyze data reflecting their progress. It’s also one of the main motivators, urging the customer to use the app and continue to exercise.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Goals</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Setting goals is as vital as tracking progress. Clear objectives help users stay engaged and motivated. The clever visual design makes the application more interesting and attractive.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>External Device Integration</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Some fitness enthusiasts say that your app should support as many trackers as possible. Well, at least smartwatches and fitness trackers are a must. Provided the nature of such products, the data like heart rate, calories burned, exercise type, time, and intensity of physical activity are essential for users.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Geolocation</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Introducing this feature has almost endless potential. From creating walking, running, and cycling routes and tracking the distance to the nearby gym location or the list of healthy food shops and restaurants, you can provide your customers with extra functionality.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Notifications and Reminders</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>People are busy and often skip their exercise or forget about their new nutrition routines. It makes them feel bad about themselves and their endeavors. A fully personalized system of push notifications and reminders with calendar integration helps users have better control over their practices.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Payment Systems Integrations</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Even if you intend to create a free product, you’ll need to introduce paid features to make a profit. Payment systems integrations must be seamless and provide various payment options to increase customer satisfaction and retention.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>App Security</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Last but not least. Multi-factor authentication instead of passwords and security protocols for data storage are already the industry requirements. People share a lot of personal information in mobile apps.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Monetising a Fitness App</strong></h2>



<p>The ultimate goal of any business is to make a profit. However, choosing a monetizing model is a challenge: charging too much or making every feature paid will likely discourage customers from using your product. On the other hand, charging not enough won’t cover further development and solution maintenance. According to a target audience and financial objectives, there are <strong>three main ways to make money with a fitness app</strong>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Freemium</strong></h3>



<p>It’s a combination of the words “free” and “premium”. The app is free to download and provides users with a basic feature set (also for free). The “premium” part usually includes connecting with a trainer who creates personalized training programs or getting an individual nutrition plan. Finding a balance is a catch. Your free basic version must be well-done and sufficient, yet encourage your customers to pay for extra features.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>In-App Purchases</strong></h3>



<p>It’s a fitness app business model that allows you to sell goods and physical products on top of services. It can be sports nutrition, clothes, fitness trackers, equipment, souvenirs, skincare products, and other merchandise. You can also connect to business partners and integrate external online shops into your product for mutual benefit.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Advertising</strong></h3>



<p>This approach is as old as time but effective. It is possible to provide customers with extensive free features while earning on built-in ads. You can even make some features available after a user watches a video ad. There are many ways to connect advertising and also make it personalized.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></h2>



<p>The fitness community is growing. Today, sports are not just a fashion trend but a necessity. Changes in lifestyle, reduced activity, fatigue, irrational nutrition, and other factors affect a lot of people. On the other hand, these tendencies create the demand for health and wellness app ideas. Although the market competition is quite high, the recent trends reveal room for new successful products people need.</p>



<p>At Rocketech, we offer our Partners not only solid experience in health and fitness app development but also our business expertise in product growth strategies and reaching new markets. Do you have a wellness startup? Let’s create an outstanding product together. <a href="https://rocketech.it/contacts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Contact us</a>.</p>


Fitness and Wellness App Development: Features and Trends

<p>This year, the global hyperautomation market is expected to reach nearly $600 billion, <a href="https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-04-28-gartner-forecasts-worldwide-hyperautomation-enabling-software-market-to-reach-nearly-600-billion-by-2022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to Gartner</a>. “Organizations will require more IT and business process automation as they are forced to accelerate digital transformation plans in a post-COVID-19, digital-first world,” said <em>Fabrizio Biscotti</em>, Gartner’s VP Analyst. </p>



<ul>
<li>Digital transformation expenses are <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/870924/worldwide-digital-transformation-market-size/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">projected</a> to reach almost $2 trillion in 2022 and are forecast to hit nearly $3 trillion by 2025 worldwide.</li>



<li>At the moment, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.uipath.com/resources/automation-whitepapers/automation-trends-2022-report?utm_source=GoogleSearch&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_term=%2Bhyperautomation-b&amp;utm_content=538765084447&amp;utm_campaign=WP212TAA&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwxtSSBhDYARIsAEn0thTovHg_RdYT0NPUBxdY53sO" target="_blank">56% of large organizations</a> handle 4+ simultaneous automation initiatives.</li>



<li>Over <a href="https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_2020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">80% of business leaders reported</a> expanding remote work opportunities and accelerating work process automation.</li>
</ul>



<p>Although the term has been <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/gartners-technology-trends-of-tomorrow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trending</a> for the past few years, the <strong>hyperautomation </strong>definition often remains vague. The Rocketech analysts prepared a guide with everything you need to know about hyperautomation and why it is important.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hyperautomation, Explained</strong></h2>



<p>According to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/hyperautomation" target="_blank">Gartner</a>, hyperautomation is an established approach that organizations take to “automate as many business and IT processes as possible.” It’s a combination of standard software, automation tools, and machine learning designed to accelerate digital transformation, reduce human workload, and, as a result, increase revenue and business value. </p>



<p><em>Hyperautomation is not just the introduction of individual technologies but a strategic, end-to-end redesign that involves a continuous effort to automate all business processes across the enterprise.</em></p>



<p>As an integrated approach, hyperautomation involves “multiple technologies, tools or platforms.” However, the <strong>main hyperautomation components</strong> include:</p>



<ul>
<li>Robotic process automation (RPA);</li>



<li>Machine learning;</li>



<li>Artificial intelligence (AI);</li>



<li>Low-code/no-code tools;</li>



<li>Business process management (BPM) and intelligent business process management suites (iBPMS);</li>



<li>Integration platform as a service (iPaaS).</li>
</ul>



<p>The fastest-developing type of such software includes instruments providing the visibility of all business processes. This category of tools automates content creation and management, provides execution mechanisms for complex systems of rules and regulations, and controls work processes across multiple structures.</p>



<p>For example, hyperautomation technologies more often take a leading role in optical character recognition, signature verification, NLP (natural language processing), and document management. It will eventually lead to the digitization and fully automated structuring of all business data and paper documents.</p>



<p>Although hyperautomation trends may seem intimidating, <em>they are not here to replace human labor</em>. Most experts and business leaders rather consider these new technologies people-centered — whether it’s more comfortable digital working environments, structural changes, or more complex decision making.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>RPA behind Hyperautomation</strong></h2>



<p><strong>RPA</strong> (<strong>Robotic Process Automation</strong>) is the technology at the core of hyperautomation. It implies the active participation of software bots in certain business processes along with human employees. By performing pre-defined actions, these bots can interact with business applications the way people do, up to using completely “human” interfaces. The technology imitates user actions but minimizes the error rate.</p>



<p><em>Despite the futuristic name, RPA has very little to do with actual robots and rather involves specific software.</em></p>



<p>By identifying repetitive actions in the algorithms for solving various tasks, organizations can reassign them to a virtual assistant for faster processing and higher accuracy (in comparison to most humans). People, in this case, have more time for solving high-level problems that require intellectual effort.</p>



<p>Besides interacting with data and each other, RPA solutions address real employees as their colleagues would: sort requests by department, set tasks, control processes, analyze and generate reports.</p>



<p><em>Invoice processing, payroll calculation, supplier price comparisons, sorting and retrieving customer data, managing returns, and even hiring employees are likely tasks of RPA in the near future.</em></p>



<p>The latest RPA systems not only transfer data from one spreadsheet to another but can also process non-digital (including unstructured) incoming data. Computer vision, text recognition, and <em>natural</em> <em>language</em> <em>processing</em> transform these bots into customer and employee interaction tools, substantially reducing operating costs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hyperautomation Use Cases</strong></h2>



<p>Simply put, hyperautomation applications increase the percentage of automated business tasks. It leads to significantly less manual labor, fewer mistakes, and increased business efficiency. And one of the biggest hyperautomation benefits is <strong>cross-industry implementation</strong>. Here is how it works in different fields and areas. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hyperautomation in Banking</strong></h3>



<p><em>Automated basic banking processes</em> are already an integral part of <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/neobank-phenomenon-a-universal-banking-model-of-the-future" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neobanks</a>. They include servicing retail and corporate clients, working with financial institutions as well as activities on the stock and financial markets. </p>



<p>However, AI solutions now become necessary in the digital transformation of traditional banks — chatbots, voice assistants, and personal financial advisers are already a requirement to stay on market. Moreover, cost savings from customer service chatbots in banking are predicted to reach <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.juniperresearch.com/infographics/banking-automation-roboadvisors-statistics" target="_blank">$11.5 billion</a> next year.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hyperautomation in Healthcare</strong></h3>



<p>With RPA software, healthcare organizations can retrieve and optimize patient data more quickly and easily. When interacting with other digital systems, RPA software can assess the collected data to generate analytics.</p>



<p><em>IBM</em>’s digital tool <em>Watson Health</em> <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/ibm-watson-pinpoints-rare-form-leukemia-after-doctors-misdiagnosed-patient" target="_blank">recognized </a><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/ibm-watson-pinpoints-rare-form-leukemia-after-doctors-misdiagnosed-patient" target="_blank">a rare form of leukemia</a> in a patient after she had previously been misdiagnosed. It took the AI-powered software <strong>ten minutes</strong> to process data from 20 million scientific articles about different types of cancer.</p>



<p>The global pandemic has shown the devastating impact of medical staff shortages globally. Introducing a hyperautomation ecosystem to medical institutions streamlines reporting, data entry, and scheduling. On top of that, automation simplifies patient claims processing and evaluation.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hyperautomation in Retail</strong></h3>



<p>In retail, besides <strong>data collection and processing</strong> (again), hyperautomation tools can optimize the processes in <strong>three main directions</strong>.</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Inventory Management</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>RPA solutions allow fast data exchange between several systems, including warehouse reporting and financial documents.</p>



<ol start="2">
<li><strong>Product Categorisation</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Large retailers handle sizeable numbers of goods. When operating in multiple countries, corporations also have to deal with different product cataloging systems. Automated solutions help bring all the data together. According to The Everest Group, the categorization accuracy of such software can reach 98.5%.</p>



<ol start="3">
<li><strong>Customer Support</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>By using chatbots, customers can get updates on their order status or resolve payment issues 24/7.  In addition, an RPA bot can perform simple queries or send feedback data to the marketing department.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hyperautomation in Supply Chain</strong></h3>



<p><em>Schneider Electric</em> reduced order processing time for personal protective equipment deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic <a href="https://www.uipath.com/resources/automation-case-studies/schneider-electric-manufacturing-rpa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">from four hours to two minutes</a>. The project required just one software robot and two and a half days for implementation. In addition to the qualitative acceleration, the bot considerably reduced the error rate. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hyperautomation in Insurance</strong></h3>



<p>A large health insurance company in the North and Latin American region implemented a software bot able to analyze medical risks associated with 6–8% of pregnancy cases. The process that took several weeks before the project now takes a few minutes. Besides freeing up the medical center’s staff time, the RPA system significantly increased patient safety.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Low-Code Is the Main Hyperautomation Trend</strong></h2>



<p>Low code is an approach to creating, configuring, and modifying systems and applications using <strong>little or no programming code</strong>. Low-code platforms use visual interfaces with simple logic and drag-and-drop features instead of various programming languages. These intuitive tools allow users without knowledge of programming or software development processes to create their own applications.</p>



<p>With a holistic hyperautomation approach, it is not an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform at the center of the entire corporate IT architecture but rather a comprehensive business process management (BPM) system. And those BPMs are usually designed to support a low-code toolset.</p>



<p>The ultimate goal is to fundamentally reduce the implementation time of new instruments and speed up the automation of already existing ones. This way, small and mid-sized companies don’t have to initiate long, expensive IT projects or spend time on extra employee training.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></h2>



<p>The unprecedented events of the past two years have changed the entire global business paradigm. Today, total digital transformation is no longer a luxurious choice but a market requirement and a long-term business strategy.</p>



<p>Hyperautomation involves robotic process automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, intelligent business process management, and process analysis for improving and enhancing all internal and external operations while reducing costs.</p>



<p>The approach allows business teams and their leaders to redesign their processes without the one-technology limitations. By carefully streamlining existing processes, companies discover new opportunities, achieve higher levels of satisfaction, and make additional contributions to cognitive challenges and customer issues.</p>


Hyperautomation as a Strategic Business Requirement

<p>More startup founders choose Agile as their main approach to project management. The principle of flexibility implies constant communication with the product owner (PO). Coordination and discussion take place not just once before the project starts but happen continuously on a sprint basis. As a result, the Product Owner (the client, for early-stage startups) becomes a full-fledged Scrum team member.</p>



<p>For the development process not to be chaotic, the Product Owner must take a part in it. The PO determines how the product will look today, tomorrow, in a month, or in a year.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/po.png" alt="Project management in IT, product owner, digital product development." class="wp-image-5000"></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Who Acts as a Product Owner</strong>?</h2>



<p>It can be either the client himself or a hired specialist. And here’s the catch: the one who pays for the product development has skin in the game. If you go for hiring a product owner, you often have to pay with trust.</p>



<p>The PO, in turn, should be aware of the worries and opinions of stakeholders. It is a kind of bridge between the board and the execution team.</p>



<p>The product owner’s competencies should include an understanding of the project’s domain, the ability to lead marketing, product development, awareness of how to talk to customers, and much more. Now I will cover at least the fundamental product owner’s responsibilities in detail.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Goal Setting</strong></h2>



<p>It all starts with an idea. The founder must understand the product’s purpose and which customer pains it solves. It becomes the basis of any decision you make.</p>



<p>Therefore, the <strong>goal setting </strong>is as well up to the founder acting as the PO. They need to understand the definition of the product’s success, set some metrics accordingly, and follow them. Otherwise, the path to success will be endless and unrecognized.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Business Model</strong></h2>



<p>Not many people do their job out of a sense of altruism. Even if you have a solid budget for the project, you can not fund it endlessly — the scalability gets hurt. That’s why the PO has to define <strong>how the product will pay off</strong>. When the project brings revenue, it becomes easy to reinvest and scale it rapidly.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Defining Product Vision and Business Requirements</h3>



<p>A competent PO is a guarantee that the team will implement what is expected. The Agile team does not interact with investors and users directly but is engaged in the implementation — they bring ideas to life.</p>



<p>It means the product owner role implies taking the responsibility for the <strong>project’s road map</strong>. This document reveals how the project will look and function at each stage. It works for short-term and long-term project plans.</p>



<p><em>However,</em><em> the roadmap is not a panacea</em>. It is not necessary to rely entirely on planning, especially when it comes to startups. People invented Agile to get away from evil and not to create a new one.</p>



<p>The PO has to be ready to change the plan, sometimes even completely. We live in a high-speed world where long-term planning makes little sense, and it shouldn’t take too much time at an early stage.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Backlog</h3>



<p>Of course, the backlog is typically maintained by the whole team. However, <strong>epics and user stories are offered and created by the PO</strong>. The product owner decides whether the functionality will be implemented and when exactly. The team can only suggest new ones, but the development does not happen without the PO’s green flag.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Prioritizing</h3>



<p>The resources allocated to the development are usually incredibly expensive. On top of that, the PO should keep in mind that resources are constantly burning up. Universal advice: <strong>start small and never develop less essential functions before the most important ones</strong>.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>When planning feature release, start small and never develop less essential functions before the most important ones.</p>
</blockquote>



<p>This moment is always greatly underestimated. You can start your project developing with unnecessarily complicated registration functionality. While money burns, your product still has no value.</p>



<p><strong>The </strong><strong>Agile</strong><strong> methodology assumes a useful increment in each sprint</strong>. The team can also increment without the PO. However, they are not responsible for the benefit of this increment for ultimate users. So, the product owner (by prioritizing) has exclusive power in decision-making regarding the scope of work (MVP for early-stage).</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">#4 Value</h3>



<p>This point follows from the previous one. <strong>The resource</strong><strong>s</strong><strong> should be utilized profitably.</strong> To do so, the PO needs to validate the ideas, critically examine them, and define the value they bring to the project. Skip the ones with no value and focus on the useful ones.</p>



<p>Thus, to make the process successful, the PO has to sync their vision with external circumstances. <strong>Agile product owners focus on what the development team needs to accomplish for the next iteration</strong>. There are many ways to measure — the PO can bet <strong>either on theories and logic or on an empirical approach.</strong></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">#5 Identifying the Needs</h3>



<p>To reduce the risks of unnecessary expenses, the PO focuses on validating ideas before they are developed. To understand what is going to bring value and what isn’t, <strong>product owners do market research</strong>,<strong> competitor analysis</strong>, and<strong> customer development</strong>. Although it is possible to delegate some minor tasks, the overall process is better become the PO’s responsibility.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>Although it is possible to delegate some minor tasks, the product owner does <strong>market research</strong> and<strong> competitor analysis</strong>.</p>
</blockquote>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">#6 Budget</h3>



<p>Following the simple logic, budgeting belongs to the product owner as they are responsible for the scope. <strong>It’s </strong><strong>crucial</strong><strong> to </strong><strong>align</strong><strong> the workload with money</strong>. For instance, let’s assume a client has only 2 months and 20K dollars for realization. First, we should estimate the project and assess risks. And only after that, we can make data-driven decisions about what the developers will (and can) implement within the budget.</p>



<p>We (together with the client) can either increase it or reduce the scope if resources are limited. Always be careful with the second way. Even if you estimate everything very carefully, there are still some risks of exceeding the budget. A good PO should always take this into account, especially if they work with under-resourced startups.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>If the budget is limited, you can either increase it or reduce the scope. Following the second way, however, still poses the risk of exceeding the provided limit.</p>
</blockquote>



<p>The PO should always be aware of how much each functionality is going to take out of the pocket before they start working on each feature. The PO always makes the final decision to fund this feature or not.</p>



<p>Therefore, the development team and analysts, in particular, have to continuously estimate all tasks and improve the evaluation process. Otherwise, the PO will take extra risks.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">#7 Preventing the Out-Of-Sync</h3>



<p>Many positions apart from the developers are responsible for the project’s success. We must not forget about marketing, customer support, and other departments. The PO does not necessarily do it all singlehandedly. But there must be no out-of-sync vision for different C-suites.</p>



<p>They permanently provide feedback, look after adjoining parts of the business together, and prevent misunderstandings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Be on Board</strong></h2>



<p>The Product Owner must remember that they are not just a client. First of all, it is about teamwork. In Scrum, the team should respect and be respected. And the more the PO communicates with the execution team, the more they understand the PO’s vision. It will most likely take longer for meetings, but it’s much better than making costly changes in the future.</p>



<p><strong>Agile is about proper communication. S</strong><strong>crum</strong><strong> is a framework for efficiency</strong>. It’s aimed at creating a smooth process of getting things defined.</p>



<p>In Rocketech, we collaborate with Product Owners from all over the world. Our primary service is building full product dedicated teams according to certain business requirements. And 170+ successful releases speak for themselves. <a href="https://rocketech.it/contacts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Contact us</a> for more details about our processes and vision.</p>


The Best App Designs Award 2021

Rocketech

More from Rocketech

SaaS Development Outsourcing: What Vendors Don’t Tell You

Developing a Startup App in 2023: How to Win the Competition Race

Rocketech Receives the Manifest’s Recognition as One of Kyiv's Most Reviewed Software Developers

The Strategic Advantage of MVP Development for Startups

How to Create a Community of Practice for Your Team

Rocketech’s Innovative Tech-Solutions are Admired Worldwide: GoodFirms

Get a bi-weekly email with the most popular stories

You may also like

ROCKETECH Seals the Spot on Clutch’s List of Top 1000 Companies this 2021

Internet of Behaviors: What Do Marketers Know About You?

Fitness and Wellness App Development: Features and Trends

Hyperautomation as a Strategic Business Requirement

Key Responsibilities Every Product Owner Should Take

Developing a Startup App in 2023: How to Win the Competition Race

Talk to us!