Getting Value Out of Your Web Application
07/19/2006
When I’m dealing with a prospective new client, I always try to get the point across that we are providing value to them as web developers. I don’t think that any of our competitors can provide the level of value that we do. But I’m never sure if they are getting the point or not. It’s too easy for them to box all web developers together, consider it a level playing field, and simply go with the lowest price. But who is providing the greatest value?
So, in order to answer that question for myself, I’ve been wondering how best to quantify this. How do you know that you are getting the most value out of your web developer? What is it that really provides value for a web development project? And how do you measure this?
So to answer this, I put myself in the shoes of a typical web application customer seeking a web developer, and I ask myself: “What is it I really want?”
The first thing that comes to mind is that my problem is being solved by the solution provided by the web developer. This is the essential requirement of any development project. So I guess this is really just the baseline. Any respectable developer should be able to meet this criteria. Any web developers not able to solve the basic problem at hand should not be considered web developers. They are hacks.
So to extend this out to provide real value, I think that a good web developer will not only solve your basic problem, they will also solve additional problems you may not be aware of, both present and future. They will use their experience and skill to anticipate needs, and build a complete solution that will account for this. This will not only provide a better solution, it will eliminate headaches. So one measurement might be: are you having lots of problems with your application? If you are experiencing lots of problems that were preventable, anticipatable, and relatively easy to solve. Then your web developer may not be providing you the value you deserve.
In addition to that, a good web developer will provide your project value by solving the problem in as efficient a manner as possible. Any one can provide a Rube Goldberg solution. I’ve always had a saying. “Anyone can provide a complex solution to a complex problem. A genius will provide a simple solution to a complex problem”.
There’s a term that’s been around for a long time in programming circles. “Spaghetti logic”. Trying to follow a sub-par programmers code can be mind-numbing. I have a hard time understanding how some people get up and the morning and tie their shoes when their mind works in a meaningless, disconnected, circuitous series of unrelated thoughts. Following poor code can garner visions of trying to untie a huge random knot. Or visualize a pile of spaghetti. Each strand leads somewhere, but in a totally disorganized and discombobulated manner.
Now as a customer with little or no knowledge of programming, it can be very difficult to know when you’re dealing with someone who generates this type of code. A good programmer will recognize it immediately, but as a consumer there are some cues you can look for to avoid this type of sub par developer. For one, people who can’t string together a few lines of logical code often can’t string together a few sentences of logical conversation. Be wary of people who talk in circles and don’t seem to really say anything, or can’t hold a thought. These types of people might make good salespeople, but they generally don’t make good programmers.
Another indication of a poor developer is that their code is often broken. If they can’t show you a demo without bugs, that’s probably a poor sign. If they keep asking you to use your imagination, or to use hokey little work-arounds, that might raise some red flags.
One more sign of a Rube Goldberg solution is how much effort it takes them to make modifications. If you simply want to change the title of your site or application, and it’s going to take 3 days and nights of work to get it done, then they didn’t build it right in the first place. Bad sign. Be wary.
So how can you find the answers to these types of questions? The best way is usually to check up on references. Speaking to past and current customers should provide a good idea of what type of developer you are dealing with. Ask for several references so you aren’t just getting the developer’s brother, mother, or best friend.
So in contrast to poorly developed code, a good web developer will provide value by creating code that is logical, complete, and easily maintainable. If corrections or modifications are necessary, they shouldn’t need to work around what they have already created. They should just be able to enhance it. This of course depends on the nature of the project, but as a general rule good developers will build extensible applications that are easy to continually extend.
A good developer will also provide value in the ability to give you as much control as necessary. When should you pay a developer for 3 days work to change a title when you could have a tool to do it yourself? That provides value to your application by giving you the ability to control as many aspects and parameters as possible. I’m a big believer in building highly dynamic applications that the customer can easily maintain. Parameters and variables should be easy to change.
So when it comes to web development projects, be sure that you are getting value from your developer. Poor developers may be able to solve the problem more cheaply, but you really aren’t getting as much for it. And it will cost you in the long run. Look at the big picture. Maybe a quote you get from a good web development firm will be higher, but it’s because you’re getting so much more. And that’s value.