A guide to choosing your mobile app development strategy

- Nithya Sivakumar

“Go Mobile” - Yeah! That’s right everybody is doing it!

Apps have become omnipresent

Too many options! Confused where to begin?

How about deriving inspiration from the world?

What are the chances that a mobile strategy that worked well for a company A, won’t work out for me as well?Ha! Good

luck with that

Here are some of the most

obvious reasons why:

Varying business needs and

requirements

Unique user/customer base

Differing budget capabilities

Unequal user experience and

Quality control requirements

Differing technology

philosphies and ideologies

Step 1 – Know your options

Native Apps

HTML5 Web Apps

Hybrid Mobile Apps

MEAP/MADP based Native/Hybrid Apps

Step 2 – Know the pros and cons

Highly graphical

Visibility and monitory channel through App store

Complete device integration

High on performance and security No portability Rapidly evolving platforms Development cost Development time Maintenance overhead Closely controlled and monitored ecosystem Niche skill-set

Future proof

Cross-platform

Budget-friendly development cost

Single code

Ease of maintenance

Instant updates

Relatively open ecosystem Minimal device integration Limited graphics Fragmented implementation of features Relatively slow and inconsistent performance

Close to native look and feel

Moderate device integration

Visibility through App store distribution

Budget-friendly development cost Limited graphics Fragmented implementation of features Inconsistent performance Steep learning curve for mobile frameworks Framework-level dependencies

Native look and feel

Good performance

Great device integration

App store distribution

Single code base Vendor lock/ restrictions High-dependency on platform to support major industry upgrades Not budget-friendly Moderate Learning curve

Step 3 – List down major decision making factors

Business-level factors: 1. Needs and requirements2. Budget allocation 3. Target audience 4. User experience acceptance

criteria5. Expected release deadlines

Engineering-level factors: 6. Technology mission and

roadmap7. Available skill set8. Quality control requirements9. Security and Performance

criteria10. Size of data and volume of user

base11. Frequency of upgrade and

scaling12. Frequency of release13. Access to and use of device

features

Step 4 – Begin “Selection by Elimination” strategy

SYMBOLS USED MEANING CONVEYED

ALL SAFEIn this scenario, any of the options can be safely used. Hence no elimination.

CAUTION!There is a note of caution. You can proceed at your own risk.

DANGER ZONE!In this scenario, this option should not be used failing which one might end up in a very sticky situation.

CASE STUDYA sample case study to help you relate and take cues from.

Step 4 – Apply “Selection by Elimination” strategy

1. What is the complexity of the requirements?

Simple Complex

Average

2. What is the User interface requirements and its acceptance criteria?

Simple AbsolutelyStunning

Sleekand goodlooking

Step 4 – Apply “Selection by Elimination” strategy (cont…)

3. What is the Budget allocated for the app?

LowLoads ofMoney

Moderate

Step 4 – Apply “Selection by Elimination” strategy (cont…)

4. Who is the app targeted at?

B2B C2C

B2C

Step 4 – Apply “Selection by Elimination” strategy (cont…)

5. What is the application genre?

ProductivityGames & Entertainment

Social Networking

Step 4 – Apply “Selection by Elimination” strategy (cont…)

6. What are the platforms targeted?

Single/ Dual Platforms

Cross Platform

2+ Platforms

Step 4 – Apply “Selection by Elimination” strategy (cont…)

7. How secured is the app and its data expected to be?

No Securityrequirements

Strictly secured

Minimal security

Step 4 – Apply “Selection by Elimination” strategy (cont…)

8. What is the extent of usage of device features?

No device features

Intensive use Of device features

Minimal Features

Step 4 – Apply “Selection by Elimination” strategy (cont…)

9. What is the company’s technology mission and road map?

Minimal risk taking with technology

Actively adopt and embrace upcoming and evolving technology

Good adoption to

fully-functional

technology

Step 4 – Apply “Selection by Elimination” strategy (cont…)

10. What is the frequency of upgrades/ code push?

Minimal change

Frequent/dailyupdates

ModerateChange frequency

Step 4 – Apply “Selection by Elimination” strategy (cont…)

11. How urgent are your “out-to-market” deadlines?

No immediate deadlines

Rapid and tightdeadlines

Moderately quick development

Step 4 – Apply “Selection by Elimination” strategy (cont…)

Step 4 – Selection by Elimination strategy

12. What volume of data and user base you foresee?

MinimalData & user base

Huge data sets and intensive user base

ModerateData and User base

Step 5 – Analyze the results

1 - 2

2 - 4

> 4 > 2

1 - 2

If is greater than 4 or =>If is greater than 2

Step 6 – Implement chosen strategy and enjoy the benefits

BetterUser engagement

Increased reach

Findability

Upgradability

Sharability

Enhanced user experience

Compatibility

Mobility

Personalization

Exploit mobile e-commerce

Market tractionNewer

marketing channels

Profitability

A Quick Recap

Get inspired into going “mobile” with your business Know your

options in the mobile application development space.

Know their pros and cons.

Applying the “Selection by Elimination” strategy on the options available at the mobile space.

Analyze the results and zero down on one strategy after iterating until you are left with only one option.

Make awesome Apps and enjoy the newly found traction in your business.

Q&A Session

Thank you!