Launch is coming
Game of Thrones and Product Development.
April was a big month for our development team. The launch of Soda and season 4 of Game of Thrones. Other than the beautiful scenery, sex and violence, there is a lot of knowledge imparted by the wise rulers and warriors of Westeros.
It wasn’t too long before we extended this knowledge to our product.
You know nothing, Jon Snow
Jon Snow knew nothing about the free-folk before he truly interacted with them — we truly got to know our users when we sat side by side and used our application alongside them. Our first usability test made sure we realized this.
Evaluations with real life users, not only tested our code, but also our copy, interactions and how comfortable the users felt using our platform. It became crucial to act like the Rangers of Castle Black in our approach to usability. We regularly crossed over the wall and understood how our users felt about the product. We reported back and made sure we constantly adapted based on the user. After our first test, we realized that some important assumptions did not hold true.
We now continuously take feedback and monitor our platform so we can always improve the experience of Soda.
Valar Morghulis
Just like all men must die, features must die too. The first internal version of Soda had a lot more features as compared to what we released. The Twitter targeting suggestor used to have a prominent section of its own along with trend analysis. These features faded out and parts of them got integrated into campaign creation. A lot of design and lots of code was lost, but in the end it contributed towards a better tool. Valar dohaeris — all men must serve. In tools, all features must serve. Every feature must have a purpose to serve the product, irrespective whether it lives or dies. If it serves a purpose it will always have a legacy that will live on in the product.
Sonar Mazis
Winter is coming. Like the White walkers, the launch date is always approaching. While Westoros is busy in the political plots and conspiracies that surround the Iron Throne, the White Walkers approach, one step at a time. It seems like they will never come, but one day they will be standing at the foot of the Wall and then, everyone is screwed. While developers, management, designers and all others involved are debating over the metaphorical “Iron Throne” — always keep in mind, Launch date is coming!
In fact— it’s here. We are proud to introduce Soda to the world.
