Diving Digital? Avoid development disasters in 6 steps

Diving Digital Avoid development disasters in 6 steps

Introduction

Hello there, visionary trailblazer! 🚀 Embarking on a digital journey can propel your business to new heights. It’s the difference between a paper plane and a supersonic jet. But, let’s be honest, caution is key. Not all that glitters in the digital world is gold. Some agencies may promise you a ride on the Starship Enterprise but leave you with a model rocket instead.

At BetterQA, we’ve seen the pitfalls of poor digital craftsmanship firsthand. Our mission is to ensure your digital journey is stellar, not stifling. With an eagle eye for quality and a commitment to transparency, we’re your co-pilots in navigating through the digital cosmos and avoiding any potential downers. Let’s dive into what to look out for, ensuring your digital transformation takes off with genuine rocket fuel, not just glittering stardust. 🌟

1. Feature Upselling - Are You Buying What You Don’t Need?

Ever been upsold at a diner? You know, the “extra cheese” that sounded great but wasn’t necessary? Some agencies are the same when it comes to digital features. It’s tempting to add all sorts of shiny digital features, but each one should have a clear purpose and return on investment. Before you give the green light, ask the right questions to cut through the sales pitch:

  • “How does this feature directly benefit my business?” You want specifics, not just tech buzzwords.

  • “Can you show me real examples of businesses that’ve used it successfully?” Evidence speaks louder than enthusiasm.

  • “What’s the projected impact on my users’ experience?” Because at the end of the day, it’s about how your customers feel.

  • “Is this a must-have for launch, or can it be part of future phases?” Prioritizing is key.

  • “How will this feature scale with my business?” Growth should be smooth, not jarring.

At BetterQA, we advocate for digital features that pass the test of necessity, not novelty. Let’s focus on what truly adds value, avoiding the clutter that can distract from your user’s experience. We’re here to make sure your digital rocket stays lean and mean, not bogged down with unnecessary extras.

2. Resource Juggling – All Eyes on You or Just a Sneaky Peek?

Picture this: You’ve booked what you thought was a personal concert with a chart-topping musician, only to realize they’re playing several gigs at once. That uneasy feeling is what it’s like when an agency’s all-star team seems to be all yours, but they’re juggling several other projects behind the scenes. Your digital project deserves the spotlight, not a shared stage. To make sure you get the full attention, consider these questions:

  • “Will I have regular, scheduled updates with the same team members?” Consistency matters.

  • “How is workload managed to prevent burnout?” Overworked teams can mean underdeveloped products.

  • “What’s the contingency plan if my team becomes unavailable?” You want a backup plan in place.

  • “Can I see a current project timeline or workload?” Transparency reveals their true capacity.

3. The Old Question – Who’s REALLY Doing the Work?

It’s not uncommon to meet an agency’s star developer at the outset, only to find someone else handling the day-to-day work. While that’s fine, transparency is key. You need to know exactly who you’re working with, not just who pitched the project. To ensure stability and trust in your digital team, ask these questions:

  • “What qualifications do the team members have?” This helps you understand the level of expertise involved.

  • “How will you notify me if team members change?” A heads-up is important for avoiding surprises.

  • “What’s your process for onboarding new team members?” This will help minimize any disruptions.

  • “Can I communicate directly with the team?” Clear communication leads to smoother collaboration.

4. Sneaky Digital Quality Hides – Don’t Get Blindsided!

Quality assurance in digital projects is often glossed over by some agencies. But it’s absolutely critical to the success of your product. If an agency doesn’t thoroughly test its work, you could end up with problems you didn’t anticipate. At BetterQA, we emphasize the importance of having a dedicated QA team to ensure that your digital product meets the highest standards. Ask these questions to guarantee quality:

  • “What quality assurance methods do you use?” Are they relying on manual testing, automated testing, or a blend of both?

  • “How often will I receive updates on quality testing results?” Regular check-ins help you stay in the loop.

  • “What metrics do you use to measure product quality?” Understand their benchmarks to align expectations.

  • “How do you handle bug tracking and reporting?” A solid bug tracking system keeps things organized.

  • “Can I review past QA reports for similar projects?” Seeing their past work gives insight into their quality standards.

At BetterQA, we make sure quality isn’t just an afterthought. We’re committed to identifying and resolving issues early, keeping your digital product in top form.

5. The Phantom Deadline – The Now-You-See-It, Now-You-Don't Dilemma

Deadlines matter. They shape everything from the project’s timeline to expectations. But some agencies make promises about swift turnarounds that they can’t keep. Solid commitments are essential for the success of your digital project. Ask the right questions to make sure your deadlines are being taken seriously:

  • “What’s your track record with meeting deadlines on past projects?” This gives you a sense of reliability.

  • “How will you communicate with me about progress and delays?” Regular updates help avoid surprises.

  • “What’s your contingency plan if unexpected issues arise?” Knowing they can adapt is reassuring.

  • “Can you provide a detailed schedule with specific deliverables and dates?” Clear timelines promote accountability.

  • “What happens if a deadline isn’t met?” It’s important to know the consequences for delays.

Make sure that your agency doesn’t just promise deadlines but actively works to meet them, ensuring your digital project stays on track.

6.Post-Launch Ghosting – Aftercare or Afterthought?

Once your digital product is live, it’s not the end of the road. Unfortunately, some agencies drop the ball on post-launch support. Aftercare is essential to ensure your digital product keeps running smoothly. To avoid being left in the dust, ask about their post-launch support plan:

  • “How long will support continue after launch?” Know the duration so you can plan ahead.

  • “What services are included in post-launch support?” Understand whether it’s troubleshooting, tech support, or something else.

  • “Will there be regular check-ins, or is it on-demand?” Proactive support can save time in the long run.

  • “Do you offer service level agreements (SLAs) for post-launch support?” This formalizes expectations.

  • “What’s the expected resolution time for technical issues?” Timely resolution is crucial for maintaining your digital product’s integrity.

  • “How are new feature requests handled post-launch?” It’s essential to know the process for future updates.

Clear post-launch support ensures that your digital project remains operational and effective long after the launch.

Conclusion

Making the transition to digital is a big step for any business. It opens up new opportunities for growth and innovation, but it requires careful planning and the right partnerships. At BetterQA, we’re here to ensure your digital journey is a success. We believe in building partnerships that foster trust, transparency, and excellence, ensuring that your digital transformation stays on course.

Have questions or concerns about your digital project? Reach out anytime. We’re here to support you through the entire process, providing the assurance you need to bring your digital initiatives to life with quality and confidence. Let’s work together to turn your digital vision into a successful reality! 🚀

Stay Updated with the Latest in QA

The world of software testing and quality assurance is ever-evolving. To stay abreast of the latest methodologies, tools, and best practices, bookmark our blog. We’re committed to providing in-depth insights, expert opinions, and trend analysis that can help you refine your software quality processes.

Visit our Blog

Delve deeper into a range of specialized services we offer, tailored to meet the diverse needs of modern businesses. As well, hear what our clients have to say about us on Clutch!

Share the Post:

More GoodReads