app development at the emc: from concept to launch, production for innovation

App Development

Ann DeMarleAssociate Dean Emergent Media Champlain College I Director Emergent Media Center [email protected]

From Concept to Product

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mailto:[email protected]


Experience:

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Experience: • Apple Distinguished Educator• IBM Faculty Awardee

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• Founder>Champlain College’s Emergent Media Center • Founder>MS in Emergent Media Shanghai• Founder>MFA in Emergent Media• Founder>Game Development degrees

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• Founder>Champlain College’s Emergent Media Center • Founder>MS in Emergent Media Shanghai• Founder>MFA in Emergent Media• Founder>Game Development degrees

• IEEE Computer Society Governor• Trustee: VT Arts Council• Trustee: Images & Voices of Hope

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An academic Center of Excellence at Champlain College that, in partnership with industry, public institutions and nonprofits, creates a studio environment in which students collaborate with each other, faculty, and clients to develop new concepts, processes, uses and applications for games and other emergent media.

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• We blend business and learning.

• We enable Champlain students to become leaders in technology and media.

• We constantly evolve with technology, media, culture, and our students.

• We define future immersive mediums and technologies.

• We aspire to be a positive force in the world.

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Creativity,

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Creativity, Innovation,

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Creativity, Innovation, Leadership

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ONE: Collaboration is Key Partial Client List: America’s Army game levels; Brahma Kumaris; City of

Burlington-Google Earth 3D architecture; Digital Now; Echo Lake Aquarium &

Science Center; Elliott Masie Learning 2007-2009 business games & mobile apps;

Flynn Theater; Ford Foundation WealthBuilders Game; Governor’s Institute of

Vermont in Information Technology; Images and Voices of Hope; JDK/Mamava;

Kingbridge Centre: GameChange Summit; IBM Virtual Worlds app & interactive;

Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Innovation and Integrative Medicine

emergency response training game; Meeting Professional International games;

Microsoft; Planned Parenthood of New England ipad intake app; North American

High Tech Center, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-Cystic Fibrosis games,

United Nations: BREAKAWAY game, National Endowment for the Humanities—

State of Vermont Virtual Archeology Museum social networking interactive.

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Seven Day’s news video on the EMC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SqgHe3cpHw&feature=player_embedded

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SqgHe3cpHw&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SqgHe3cpHw&feature=player_embedded

e•mer•gent — adj.

arising or developing into new shapes & patterns from previous, more basic parts; standing taller than all others

me•di•a — noun

various forms of mass communication, plural of medium

What is Emergent Media?

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Computational media New media

Digital media

What is Emergent Media?

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Computational media New media

Digital media

What is Emergent Media?TWO: Technological Innovation is Constant

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Technological innovation removes boundaries shifting paradigms.

What is Emergent Media?THREE: Technology Changes US

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The Emergent Media Horizon1. Visualization will help solve challenges of big data,

2. Mobile computing will meet the cloud,

3. The need will grow for next-gen mobile computing,

4. The Internet of Things will change how consumers and enterprises use technology,

5. Public interactive displays will become more common,

6. New multimedia applications will emerge for 3D printing,

7. Haptics will become more useful for rehabilitation.

http://www.computer.org/portal/web/pressroom/IEEE-Computer-Society-Announces-13-Technology-Trends-for-201310



ProductsChoice: Designing for Positive Change

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Demonstrations of Emergent Media:• Center for Integration of Medical & Innovative Technology • Digital Now• Kingbridge Summit

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Brainstorming:• Archer Mayor• Echo Lake Center• Money Magazine• Rice for Life• Xerox

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Prototyping Jams:• Learning 2007-2010• Meeting Professional International

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MPI and Masie Learning Summits: Game Simulations

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Masie Learning Summits: Learning Apps

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City of Burlington, VT: Sketch-up Google EarthChamplain College: 3D visualization

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State of Vermont: Virtual Archeology Museum

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ViewBoost Tourism App

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America’s Army:MORPG Mission Maps

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Center for Integration of Medical & Innovative Technology: Emergency Response Simulator

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IBM:Game Tomorrow

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IBM:Open Sims Business Solutions

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Planned Parenthood: Mobile Patient Intake Form

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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Innovation Grant:University of Vermont

Cystic Fibrosis Breath Biofeedback Games 25

“It has shown me that it is not about how good your soccer skills are. It is about attitude, teamwork and determination. What you do when you are not on the pitch is important as well.”

—Foluso, age 13, England

United Nations: BREAKAWAY game

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Tonight’s Focus

Development lifecycle for innovation and communication

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Ford Foundation:WealthBuilders Game

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Echo Lake and Science Center:Interactive Mobile Field Journal and Games

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ProcessHow we insure innovation and meet user expectations and needs

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• Research & Conceptualization

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• Prototyping & Proposal

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• Iterative Design

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• Production

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• User Testing

FOUR: Require Constant Feedback Loops

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• Refinement


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• Release


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ConceptualizationMethods for Increased Creativity

Research, Brainstorming, and Prototyping

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Research:

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Research: • Uncover the root problem

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Research: • Uncover the root problem• Take a systems thinking approach

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Research: • Uncover the root problem• Take a systems thinking approach• Discover user needs and behaviors

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Brainstorming:

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Brainstorming: • Use brainstorming as a tool, not an answer

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Brainstorming: • Use brainstorming as a tool, not an answer • Include diversity

FIVE: There are no wrong answers34

Brainstorming: • Use brainstorming as a tool, not an answer • Include diversity• Embrace intuitive rather than logical thinking


Brainstorming: • Use brainstorming as a tool, not an answer • Include diversity• Embrace intuitive rather than logical thinking• Look at other non-technological forms: 1+1+1


Brainstorming: • Use brainstorming as a tool, not an answer • Include diversity• Embrace intuitive rather than logical thinking• Look at other non-technological forms: 1+1+1• Explore platforms


Brainstorming: • Use brainstorming as a tool, not an answer • Include diversity• Embrace intuitive rather than logical thinking• Look at other non-technological forms: 1+1+1• Explore platforms• Serve pizza


Prototyping:

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Prototyping: • Include users and clients early on

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Prototyping: • Include users and clients early on • Deploy in a low tech form to demonstrate and test assumptions:

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• Paper prototype

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• Paper prototype• PPT, Prezi mobile drawing apps, or other quick interactive app

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• Explore different art styles and user interfaces

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• Explore different art styles and user interfaces• Wireframes and “programmer art”

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• Explore different art styles and user interfaces• Wireframes and “programmer art”• Explore combining technologies

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ALGAE OFFICER TESTINGECHO LAKE & AQUARIUM CENTER & CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE EMERGENT MEDIA CENTER GAME PROJECT

6JG�6KNG�)COG�YCU�VGUVGF�HQT�VJG�ƂTUV�VKOG�QP�VJG�'%*1�ƃQQT�VJKU�HCNN��6JG�ICOG�YCU�VGUVGF�QP�RCVTQPU�YKVJKP�VJG�OWUGWO��WUWCNN[�DGVYGGP�VJG�CIGU�QH��VQ��6JG�VGUVGTU�YGTG�DQVJ�OCNG�CPF�HGOCNG��#U�VJKU�YCU�VJG�ƂTUV�VGUVKPI�UGUUKQP�HQT�VJG�ICOG��VJG�TGUWNVU�CTG�OQUVN[�OGEJCPK-ECN�CPF�HGGFDCEM�URGEKƂE�CU�QRRQUGF�VQ�OQTG�SWCNKVCVKXG� KPHQTOCVKQP� QP� YJCV� YCU� NGCTPGF�YKVJKP�ICOG�RNC[��#PQVJGT�TQWPF�QH�VGUVKPI�VJG�6KNG�)COG�CHVGT�RQNKUJKPI�CPF�ƂZKPI�OGEJCPK-ECN�KUUWGU�YKNN�IKXG�ENGCTGT�TGUWNVU�

Focus Group

Testers under the age of 11, lost focus quick-

er than other testers. Child testers that were

working with an adult were able to keep focus

longer. More visual feedback within the game

may help to sustain their attention. Many more

boys (between the ages of 6 & 13) were inter-

ested in testing the game than their female

counter parts.

ContentMost users spent the majority of their game

play reading about the different elements

within the game. This allowed for a deeper

understanding of the process. Many questions

about the game play were derived from read-

ing the content.

FeedbackImmediate visual feedback for the user’s ac-

tions is still missing from the game play.

9KVJQWV� HGGFDCEM�WUGTU�JCXG�FKHƂEWNV[�WPFGT-standing the results of their actions. Gaining

awareness happens numerically within game

play but is not shown visually. Visual feedback

for the user should be added.

VisualsTesters were very interested in the graphics

within the game, asking questions about each

GNGOGPV�CPF�KVU�URGEKƂE�WUG��1PEG�VJG[�WPFGT-stood that they could click on the elements to

ƂPF�QWV�OQTG��KV�DGECOG�C�RTKQTKV[�

MechanicsDue to the buggy mechanics and lack of feed-

back users needed coaching to understand the

goal of the game. Directions on how to play

the game have not been added, but should

DG�UJQTVN[��5RGEKƂE�DWII[�OGEJCPKEU� KPENWFG��placing/dragging the objects, accessing the

OQTG� FGVCKNGF� KPHQTOCVKQP�� CPF� ƂPCN� CNICG�blooming feedback / gaining awareness.



• Explore different art styles and user interfaces• Wireframes and “programmer art”• Explore combining technologies• Test often

35

ALGAE OFFICER TESTINGECHO LAKE & AQUARIUM CENTER & CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE EMERGENT MEDIA CENTER GAME PROJECT

6JG�6KNG�)COG�YCU�VGUVGF�HQT�VJG�ƂTUV�VKOG�QP�VJG�'%*1�ƃQQT�VJKU�HCNN��6JG�ICOG�YCU�VGUVGF�QP�RCVTQPU�YKVJKP�VJG�OWUGWO��WUWCNN[�DGVYGGP�VJG�CIGU�QH��VQ��6JG�VGUVGTU�YGTG�DQVJ�OCNG�CPF�HGOCNG��#U�VJKU�YCU�VJG�ƂTUV�VGUVKPI�UGUUKQP�HQT�VJG�ICOG��VJG�TGUWNVU�CTG�OQUVN[�OGEJCPK-ECN�CPF�HGGFDCEM�URGEKƂE�CU�QRRQUGF�VQ�OQTG�SWCNKVCVKXG� KPHQTOCVKQP� QP� YJCV� YCU� NGCTPGF�YKVJKP�ICOG�RNC[��#PQVJGT�TQWPF�QH�VGUVKPI�VJG�6KNG�)COG�CHVGT�RQNKUJKPI�CPF�ƂZKPI�OGEJCPK-ECN�KUUWGU�YKNN�IKXG�ENGCTGT�TGUWNVU�

Focus Group

Testers under the age of 11, lost focus quick-

er than other testers. Child testers that were

working with an adult were able to keep focus

longer. More visual feedback within the game

may help to sustain their attention. Many more

boys (between the ages of 6 & 13) were inter-

ested in testing the game than their female

counter parts.

ContentMost users spent the majority of their game

play reading about the different elements

within the game. This allowed for a deeper

understanding of the process. Many questions

about the game play were derived from read-

ing the content.

FeedbackImmediate visual feedback for the user’s ac-

tions is still missing from the game play.

9KVJQWV� HGGFDCEM�WUGTU�JCXG�FKHƂEWNV[�WPFGT-standing the results of their actions. Gaining

awareness happens numerically within game

play but is not shown visually. Visual feedback

for the user should be added.

VisualsTesters were very interested in the graphics

within the game, asking questions about each

GNGOGPV�CPF�KVU�URGEKƂE�WUG��1PEG�VJG[�WPFGT-stood that they could click on the elements to

ƂPF�QWV�OQTG��KV�DGECOG�C�RTKQTKV[�

MechanicsDue to the buggy mechanics and lack of feed-

back users needed coaching to understand the

goal of the game. Directions on how to play

the game have not been added, but should

DG�UJQTVN[��5RGEKƂE�DWII[�OGEJCPKEU� KPENWFG��placing/dragging the objects, accessing the

OQTG� FGVCKNGF� KPHQTOCVKQP�� CPF� ƂPCN� CNICG�blooming feedback / gaining awareness.



• Explore different art styles and user interfaces• Wireframes and “programmer art”• Explore combining technologies• Test often

SIX: Be prepared to abandon ideas35

Bringing it all together:

EMC’s Rural Wealth Creation Game video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYgmyW-9fGg

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYgmyW-9fGg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYgmyW-9fGg

ProductionSoftware Development Methodologies

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Production:

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Production: • Pre-production: Concept, funding, platforms

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Production: • Pre-production: Concept, funding, platforms• Production: Building of assets and code

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Production: • Pre-production: Concept, funding, platforms• Production: Building of assets and code• Post-production: Localization, launch, marketing, sequel planning

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Production: • Pre-production: Concept, funding, platforms• Production: Building of assets and code• Post-production: Localization, launch, marketing, sequel planning

SEVEN: Plan for and incorporate user feedback

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Traditional Software Development: Waterfall

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• Small core creative team: creative director & key leads: designer, artist, narrative designer, programmer.


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• Small core creative team: creative director & key leads: designer, artist, narrative designer, programmer.

• Large production team: level designers, game programmers, hardware programmers, AI programmers, concept artist, 3D artists, animators, technical artists, modelers, testers, sound design, music composer


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• Development team assembled


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• Guided by design document that is 90% complete


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• Broken into milestones to measure progress/deliverables.


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• Typically fixed from start


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• Avoid adding features (scope creep) during milestone cycles


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• Game is tested for gameplay & quality issues at distinct points in cycle


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• Game is tested for gameplay & quality issues at distinct points in cycle

• Estimated time between milestones: about 2 months


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Concept Master

Roles

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Concept Master

Roles

• The Idea

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Concept Master

Roles

• The Idea

• The Pitch/Concept

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Concept Master

Roles

• The Idea


• Proof of Concept or Pre-production

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Concept Master

Roles

• The Idea



• Production

41


Concept Master

Roles

• The Idea



• Production

• Milestones

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Concept Master

Roles

• The Idea



• Production

• Milestones

• Alpha

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Concept Master

Roles

• The Idea



• Production

• Milestones

• Alpha

• Beta

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Concept Master

Roles

• The Idea



• Production

• Milestones

• Alpha

• Beta

• Gold Master

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Agile Production Overview:

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• Small development team


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• Cross-functional


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• 5-10 in team


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• 5-10 in team

• Constant communication


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• 5-10 in team


• Multi-level planning


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• 5-10 in team



• Prioritize and estimate features


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• 5-10 in team




• Features defined by users, client, developers together


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• 5-10 in team





• Rapid delivery—short sprints of development


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• 5-10 in team






• Rapidly test and integrate user feedback


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• 5-10 in team






• Rapidly test and integrate user feedback

• Continuously test process


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Agile Production Methodologies:

Planning & Delivery Cycle

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Variety of methods, similar same philosophy but with differing practices, terms, and tactics:



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• Scrum



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• Scrum

• Lean and Kanban



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• Scrum

• Lean and Kanban

• Extreme Programming



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• Scrum

• Lean and Kanban


• Crystal



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• Scrum

• Lean and Kanban


• Crystal

• Dynamic Systems



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• Scrum

• Lean and Kanban


• Crystal

• Dynamic Systems

• Feature Driven Development



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Agile Continuous Flow of Running Features:

http://www.versionone.com/Agile101/Agile%2DDevelopment%2DSuccess/

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Agile Continuous Flow of Running Features:


EIGHT: Choose best method that works for your project goals, intended user, and team

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Bringing it all together:

Video: Echo game in action45

App Development



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App Development


From Concept to Product1. Collaboration is key to creativity

46



App Development



2. Technological innovation is constant

46



App Development




3. Technology changes us

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App Development





4. There are no wrong answers

46



App Development






5. Require constant feedback loops

46



App Development







6. Prepare to abandon early concepts and designs

46



App Development








7. Plan for and incorporate feedback

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App Development








7. Plan for and incorporate feedback

8. Choose best method for goals, user, and team

46



App Development



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app development at the emc: from concept to launch, production for innovation

Design

agile101agile2ddevelopment2dsuccess44agile

emergent media

low tech form

rapid deliveryshort

traditional

paper prototype

othersmedia

lost focus