We discuss an idea for a web app and identify ways to turn it into a real-life product on the web.
We start with describing the domain and the problems the app should solve. Then we identify the personas that will interact with the app. We discuss the features features the app should have to fix the problems and we sort all the features by priority. Finally we talk about timeline, deliverables and next steps.
The app we discuss will be launched to production by the next airing of this multi-part series of taking an idea to code.
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Part 1: Turning an idea into code for production Show Summary
We discuss an idea for a web app the helps dancers manage their upcoming dance competitions and events.
Although the app could apply to many genres of dance, the primary focus will be on the West Coast Swing community.
The Domain
Here's an example of a couple competing West Coast Swing at an event called MADjam.
Dance events (or "dance comps") are much like PHP conferences only with all-night dancing. You stay at a hotel, go on booze runs, go to workshops, watch or compete in lots of different competitions, hang out with friends & dance until 5AM, etc.
Two of the most popular competitions are Jack & Jill and Strictly.
Jack & Jill
Organized by division (Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, All Star & Campion)
You get thrown into a group of dancers in your division and you get randomly paired with another dancer.
The DJ will play a random song and judges will judge your dancing to that random song with that random person.
The next random song you can another random dance partner.
You get points if you place in the top of your division.
Points are recorded and tracked across events around the world by the WSDC.
As you accumulate points, you get moved up to the next division.
Strictly
Are just like JJ's except:
You select your partner beforehand.
Don't accumulate points in the WSDC database.
Problems
Remembering deadlines when admission prices change
Managing strictly partners for individual events
Double booking
Remembering the events
Planned for two events in a weekend
Coordinating the events, over booking
Sync with google calendar
Travel
Forget to buy plane tickets
Lodging, hotel booked and roommates
Forget to book hotel, rooms sold out fast
Keeping track of people, positive and negative
Reviews, public might be problem
Knowing which events are coming up
filtering by region
When in hotel, forget which city you’re in
WSDC data unreliable and uncomfortable
Antiquated processes
Personas
Casual Participants
Competitive Participants
Event Administrator(s)/Community Moderaters
At large or specific event
Anyone, maybe dancers
Vendors
Marketing people
Activities
Moderators correct and verify event information
Moderators can document time based milestones
Participants can view time based milestones for events, pricing
Participants can view hotel information for events
Participants, Vendors can receive airfare reminder
Participants, Vendors, Moderators can sync event information with google calendar
Participants, Vendors, Moderators can sync event information with ical
Participants, Vendors can receive hotel availability reminder
All search for events with filters
Participants, Vendors can compare travel options to the event; flying, driving, or train
Participants can invite dance lessons
Participants can confirm dance lessons
Participants can document dance lessons
Participants can receive reminder of dance lesson
Participants can invite dance partnerships
Participants can invite travel partnerships
Participants can invite lodging partnerships
Participants can confirm dance partnerships
Participants can confirm travel partnerships
Participants can confirm lodging partnerships
Participants can document private feedback on partners in partnerships
Participants can document public feedback on specific events
Participants can share private feedback with specific partners
Participants can indicate which events they’re planning to go to
Participants can view a customized list of events another participant is planning to attend
Participants can create a custom list of events
Participants can invite other Participants to view a custom list of events planned to attend
Participants can share a public list of events they are attending
Participants can embed a public list of events they are attending on 3rd party websites
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Loves pizza, especially when other people pay for it @ steven.pizza :)
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