- A big mistake many companies make is treating enterprise apps like projects, not products.
- After a project’s done, it doesn’t need to be managed anymore. But you need to manage apps continuously, all the way through development to after the launch.
- Two of the most important roles in enterprise app development is the internal project manager and the product owner. If you don’t assign these roles, you’ll compromise the success of your app.
- But with these key roles, you’ll have much greater transparency over your app’s progress. Which helps you build the best business app possible.
- Assign a project manager and a product owner. You’ll deliver the most value to both your users and your business. This ensures ROI and avoiding app abandonment.
One of the biggest mistakes in enterprise app development is treating your app like a project. After a project’s been built and released, it doesn’t need to be managed anymore. But apps shouldn’t be treated like projects! Because there are two really important stages where your mobile app must be managed. This is during the build and after the launch. Both are just as important as each other. And both will need dedicated resources from you and your team.
App Creation – Building A Great Business App
During business app development, businesses will put together a team to manage the project. This is often made up of a cross-section of many departments. But there’s rarely one person who takes the lead. With no dedicated lead, you can get confused between each individual’s role. And this causes fragmented communication with the development agency. Which often means slow decisions and project delays.
Introducing the Project Manager
This is when you need to consider appointing an internal project manager. They can take charge of your enterprise software and oversee the entire project. So, they’ll be responsible for the big decisions. The delegation of jobs and take ownership of administrative tasks. They’ll also manage the back-and-forth with your development agency. This makes sure everyone, both internal and external, is on the same page at all times.
The internal project manager should also be responsible for driving the business goals. And making sure your app is contributing to these goals at every step. This is what maintains a strong project focus throughout the app creation process.
Above all though, having a project manager on your side too streamlines the whole process. And appointing this role early on helps ensure great communication from the get-go. This reduces your iteration costs and speeds up the sign-off.
After Launch
Many companies understand the importance of managing the app development process. But your post-launch app management is just as important! After you complete the app and it’s up and running, there’s still a lot of on-going app management you need to consider.
>By treating business enterprise apps like products, not projects, you’ll be able to consider their full life-cycle. And the continuous management needed after release. Because for your business app to be successful, you’ll need to be updating it consistently. And if you want your users coming back to your app, you’ll need to continue enhancing it. Because this improves your mobile offering and retains users in the long-term.
Introducing the Product Owner
This is where a product owner comes into play. A product owner is someone who can take responsibility for your enterprise app development. This can be the same person who managed the project during the app creation. Or a different member of staff entirely. But either way, you need to choose someone who can oversee the entire process. This person will cover content management, general housekeeping, user analysis and ongoing updates.
Without this single person responsible, you’ll compromise your app’s success. You want your business app to remain an essential tool for your users and keep them engaged long after they download. To ensure this, your mobile app needs to be managed, monitored and enhanced like any product.
What Does a Product Manager Do?
Above all, a product owner will understand the long-term vision of the app. They’ll also be responsible for measuring your app’s success against the initial KPIs you’ve set out. And understand how these KPIs support your overarching business goals. So, assigning a product owner helps to ensure a return on your investment.
Because of this understanding, product owners are in an ideal position to suggest changes and improvements. Looking forward, they’ll be able to build you a detailed product road-map. Your product owner will also be your go-to guide future updates. Because they’ll know exactly which features to prioritise or change. So, assigning a product owner gives your app focus and ensures it’s constantly improving.
We’ve worked with numerous clients over the years to build their business apps. The apps that were a success assigned a project manager and product owner. Because, ultimately, this gives you much greater transparency over your enterprise app. As well as its future development. And you’ll have a much better understanding of how it’s performing against the specific goals you set. As well as how your mobile app is supporting your overarching business goals.
Approaching your enterprise app as a product instead of a project forces you to think about the future. Which is essential if you want your mobile app to deliver the most value possible. Not just to your business, but to your users too. Because the long-term value for everyone involved is the key to getting the highest return on your investment.
What’s next?
Do you want to know more about approaching enterprise app development? Then we’d love to hear from you. Send us a message to info@sonin.agency or give us a call on +44 (0)1737 45 77 88.
Suggested reading: Apps That Support Your Business Goals
Suggested reading: Engaging Employees for Enterprise Mobility.