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idea

Creating your first Java FX app and using the Gluon Scene Builder in the IntelliJ IDEA IDE

July 3, 2018 by Simon

This is quick guide explaining how I created my first JavaFX application using the Gluon Scene Builder in the IntelliJ IDEA IDE.

I have a number of guides on moving away from CPanel, Setting up VM’s on UpCloud, AWS, Vultr or Digital Ocean along with installing and managing WordPress from the command line. I created this blog post on creating a Java GUI app with the older Swing technology (Java FX replaces Swing). I now want to create a JavaFX app to control my UpCloud VM’s.

If you have not read my previous posts I have now moved my blog etc to the awesome UpCloud host. Sign up using this link to get $25 free credit.

Do read: Preparing for JavaFX Application Development: https://wiki.openjdk.java.net/display/OpenJFX/Building+OpenJFX#BuildingOpenJFX-Mac

Downloading Java

Download and install Java SE 8 or higher from http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html

Java 10 install screenshot

Download Intelli J IDEA IDE

Goto https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/

Click Download

Intelli J IDEA from www.jetbrains.com

Download the community edition

IntelliJ Download Options (Ultimate or Community)

Install Intelli J IDEA IDE

Drag Intelli J to your applications folder

Install Scenebuilder

I downloaded the Java Scene Builder (1.1 or 2.0) from here.

Download Scene Scene Builder

Install the Scene Builder (open the installer and drag it to your applications folder).

Configure the Scene Builder in IntelliJ IDEA IDE

  1. Open Intelli J IDEA IDE (set the default’s you wish)
  2. Create a New Project
  3. Open Intelli J IDEA IDE Preferences
  4. Open Languages & Frameworks then JavaFX and set your Scene Builder path (e.g /Applications/JavaFX Scene Builder 2.0.app/)
  5. Exit Preferences

Set the Scene Builder Path in IntelliJ

You can now create a JavaFX project an have a workign scene builder GUI.

New Project

After you create a JavaFX project open your JavaFX fxml file in Scene Builder (right click on the .fxml file and select Open in Scene Builder)

Scene Builder

Extended Scene Builder from Gluon

I read that there is a better Scene builder GUI available from https://gluonhq.com/products/scene-builder/

Read some of the Java Scene Builder v Gluon Scene Builder history here at Reddit for the latest on why.

I am going to download the Gluon Scene Builder from http://gluonhq.com/products/scene-builder/

Gluon Scene Builder webpage screenshot of https://gluonhq.com/products/scene-builder/

Download and install the Gluon Scene builder (at the time of writing requires Java 9 or higher).

Drag the scene builder to your apps folder to install

Now open IntelliJ IDEA IDE and open the preferences and change the scene builder path from “/Applications/JavaFX Scene Builder 2.0.app/” to “/Applications/SceneBuilder.app/“.

Save the IntelliJ IDEA preferences and Right click on your projects “fxml” file again and click “Open In Scene Builder” , do verify it is indeed the Gluon Scene builder by opening the about menu.

Gluon Scene Builder Help Menu Screenshot

Designing your first JavaFX app

Now you can design and code a JavaFX application with Gluon Scene Builder.

I am not an expert at java apps so i’d highly recommend you follow this guide to learn how to build a well-structured JavaFX panel layout (just ignore that it is using the standard Scene Builder, it works with the gluon one).

You should now have a working Java FX App

Java FX App running

The scene builder will save changes to your fxml file

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<?import javafx.geometry.Insets?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.Button?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.Label?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.Menu?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.MenuBar?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.MenuItem?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.TextArea?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.TextField?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.TreeView?>
<?import javafx.scene.layout.BorderPane?>
<?import javafx.scene.layout.HBox?>
<?import javafx.scene.layout.Region?>
<?import javafx.scene.layout.VBox?>


<BorderPane maxHeight="-Infinity" maxWidth="-Infinity" minHeight="-Infinity" minWidth="-Infinity" prefHeight="400.0" prefWidth="600.0" xmlns="http://javafx.com/javafx/9.0.4" xmlns:fx="http://javafx.com/fxml/1" fx:controller="sample.Controller">
   <top>
      <VBox BorderPane.alignment="CENTER">
         <children>
            <MenuBar>
              <menus>
                <Menu mnemonicParsing="false" text="File">
                  <items>
                    <MenuItem mnemonicParsing="false" text="Close" />
                  </items>
                </Menu>
                <Menu mnemonicParsing="false" text="Edit">
                  <items>
                    <MenuItem mnemonicParsing="false" text="Delete" />
                  </items>
                </Menu>
                <Menu mnemonicParsing="false" text="Help">
                  <items>
                    <MenuItem mnemonicParsing="false" text="About" />
                  </items>
                </Menu>
              </menus>
            </MenuBar>
            <HBox spacing="8.0">
               <children>
                  <TextField promptText="ip" />
                  <TextField promptText="Username" />
                  <TextField promptText="Password" />
                  <Button mnemonicParsing="false" onMouseClicked="#loginButtonClicked" prefHeight="27.0" prefWidth="68.0" text="Login" />
                  <Region HBox.hgrow="ALWAYS" />
                  <Button mnemonicParsing="false" onMouseClicked="#settingsButtonClicked" text="Settings" />
               </children>
               <padding>
                  <Insets bottom="8.0" left="8.0" right="8.0" top="8.0" />
               </padding>
            </HBox>
         </children>
      </VBox>
   </top>
   <left>
      <TreeView prefHeight="200.0" prefWidth="200.0" BorderPane.alignment="CENTER" />
   </left>
   <center>
      <TextArea prefHeight="200.0" prefWidth="200.0" BorderPane.alignment="CENTER" />
   </center>
   <bottom>
      <HBox BorderPane.alignment="CENTER">
         <children>
            <Label text="Label" />
         </children>
         <padding>
            <Insets bottom="2.0" left="2.0" right="2.0" top="2.0" />
         </padding>
      </HBox>
   </bottom>
</BorderPane>

You can add functions into your controller class

package sample;

public class Controller {

    public void loginButtonClicked(){
        System.out.println("Login");

    }

    public void settingsButtonClicked(){
        System.out.println("Settings");

    }

}

Instaling Gluon JavaFX Templates

Close your test project and create a new project, but before you do click Configure then Plugins

Gluon has some nice templates

Now lets open In the following screen click Browse Repositories.

Search the repository for and install the “Gluon” plugin

Install Gluon Plugin

Restart IntelliJ IDEA IDE then you can use templates when creating a project.

Get your own VM

If you have not read my previous posts I have now moved my blog etc to the awesome UpCloud host. Sign up using this link to get $25 free credit.

Packaging a Java app for distribution on OSX

I will show how you can package your app to run on a Mac by using this.

Coming Soon

I will add more guides soon on using a custom JavaFx app to allow you to manage your own UpCloud server and perform Deploy/Init/Setup/Configure/Operate actions. Running CLI commands to deploy and manage a server is fun but is very tedious.

I blogged recently about using the UpCloud API and setting up a subdomain recently (I will use this server to test and prove the Javmanagementnt app).

Links

  • Official Javafx examples
  • Official Java learning paths.
  • Javafx examples at javacodegeeks.com
  • Java widgets
  • Reddit JavaHelp
  • Jenkov Tutorials

I hope this guide helps someone.

Ask a question or recommend an article

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Revision History

V1.6 Jenkov Tutorials

V1.5 Reddit java help

V1.4 added java widgets link

V1.3 added javafx examples link.

V1.2 added Java learning paths

V1.1 added official Javafx examples

v1.0 Initial post

Filed Under: Development, IDE, Java Tagged With: and, app, Builder, creating, first, FX, Gluon, ide, idea, in, IntelliJ, java, Scene, the, Using, your

How to start-up (flesh out) an app idea

February 3, 2018 by Simon

How do you start up a project idea?  How much time and effort do you put into product planning, prototyping, product development and product support?

Below is a rough guide to how you should start up a project (exec summary: start with defining the problem(s) and solution(s)).

I have blogged about app workflow here (mostly for public apps).

Infographic-So-you-have-an-idea-for-an-app-v1-3

Choose a Methodology

Early on you should choose a project management methodology, Agile is a popular (no lock-in) methodology compared to the older/less-flexible Waterfall or PRINCE2 methodologies.

I am a fan of the Agile methodology as it allows for inevitable frequent and required pivots over the more rigid locked down methodologies of the past.

Agile Software Development Manifesto

  • Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
  • Working software over comprehensive documentation
  • Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
  • Responding to change over following a plan

Agile Methodology and Practices (Stages)

1. Inception Phase

  • Form Initial Team (Stakeholders)
  • Develop Common Project Vision (What is the problem)
  • Align with Enterprise Direction (Integrate where possible)
  • Explore Initial Scope (MoSCoW Method)
  • Identify Initial Technical Strategy (testing, draft, final, support)
  • Develop Initial Release Plan (Goals)
  • Form Work Environment (remote, onsite etc)
  • Secure Funding (after whiteboarding)
  • Identify Risks (what if…)

2. Construction Phase

  • Produce Potentially Consumable Solution (Minimum Viable Product/Minimum Value)
  • Address Changing Stakeholder Needs (Pivot)
  • Move Closer to Deployable Release (Iterate)
  • Improve Quality (Measure)
  • Prove Architecture Early (Test)

3. Transition Phase

  • Ensure Solution Is Consumable (Signoff)
  • Deploy Solution (Test and Deploy)

4. Ongoing Goals

  • Fulfill Project Mission (Complete Must-have backlog)
  • Grow Team Members
  • Address Risk
  • Improve Team Process and Environment
  • Leverage/Enhance Existing Infrastructure

First, you will need to define the problem(s)

First, decide on what the problem(s) are and are aiming to solve?  After the problem(s) are known you can discuss and validate possible solutions before any coding is done (billed). The business requirement will drive the technical requirements/directions,.

Letting technology goals drive the project is a bad idea.  Why do you need XYZ? Is an app required after all? Does an “off the shelf solution” exist already?  Can existing processes or software be tweaked?

You will need stakeholders (or stakeholder proxies)

Choose customer stakeholders (or customer proxies) that are engaged and positive, build a team of about 5 people who can drive the decisions and who understand the problems. Involve key stakeholders early and capture problems in a formal setting

  • Identify the stakeholders and establish a team
  • Document the problems (as it is and not how it should be)
  • Identify and specify improvement points
  • Plan solutions and Iterate

Improving a process or product should be measurable and agreed. The main aim of a customer/stakeholder is to create validated user stories that define the problem(s) and solution(s) from the end users perspective.

Example user story formats (snip)

  • As a <role>, I want <capability> so that <receive benefit>
  • In order to <receive benefit> as a <role>, I want <goal/desire>
  • As a <role>, I want <goal/desire>
  • As <persona>, I want <what?> so that <why?>
  • etc

Whiteboarding

Whiteboarding is a great way to get everyone on board (and on the same page). One person may assume that something is a certain way but another person from the trenches may say it is not the case at all. It is key that problems reported lower down the managerial structure are listen to and be valued.  Accept any problems and add them to the backlog (prioritizing comes later).

Whiteboarding should build a backlog of ideas and common understanding of what the landscape of issues are. I use a tool called Mind Node from https://mindnode.com/ to map things electronically. Within minutes you can have a map of connected or not connected areas of interest.

Mind Node

Backlog

A backlog is a place where you can document issues and break issues down into tasks.  I have blogged before about Developing software and staying on track. You can use software like Trello, JIRA or Excel or notepad.

Backlogs should have crazy ideas and things that will never be developed. Agile development iterations should only pick the best items to work on.

Trello offers basic shared lists management

Jira offers a more complex Agile backlog management suite

Backlog

Mockup Prototypes

It is important that you develop validate ideas with on device/screen with mockups/prototypes before coding something.

I use Platforma web and Platforma mobile prototyping tools with Adobe XD to prototype before development.

Agile Terminology in Backlogs

Whiteboarding and Backlogs can allow you to capture Epics, Stories and Tasks. Once tasks are prioritized they can be picked up and complete in Agile work sprints.

  • Epics are the bigger user deliverable objectives like a “usable web-based solution”, “usable iOS mobile app”, “user Android Mobile app” or other long-term objectives.
  • Stories are smaller things like “deliver back-end server infrastructure”, “Deploy a working prototype of feature X”, “Build an API (Application Programmer Interface)”. A user story can usually be completed in 2 weeks.
  • Tasks are often subtasks to stories and can be done quite quickly.  A task could be “Change the colour scheme”, “Set up a testing environment” or  “Deploy the alpha release”.

Prioritize the Backlog Often

Prioritize items in the backlog often using the MoSCoW Method.

  • Must-Have
  • Should Have
  • Could Have
  • Won’t Have

Do not work on won’t have and focus on Must-Haves first.

Define the Solution and Minimum Success Criteria

The following graphic is well known within the Project Management community.

Project Mangement Lol

How would you feel as the customer knowing that you have not been understood and that you may not get what you need?

How would you feel as the developer not knowing fully what you need to deliver?

No one likes to double back or waste time and resources unnecessarily.  Define and plan early. “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Benjamin Franklin

Technology Requirements

The backlog will drive the requirements; e.g:

  • mobile app or web app
  • type of technology needed
  • the location and number of servers
  • number of prototypes
  • scalability and redundancy

Knowing the requirements drives the technology. Technology drives the work and the budget.

TIP: Be wary of contractors that quote before listening to your full requirements. I was once told by a contractor that their main job was to “Con” “and Insult” you.  If you accept a quote before saying what you need is a guarantee that you are paying a load of profit.

Now What

If you have defined the problem well, have good user stories and validated with stakeholders you are on the right path.

Be prepared to pivot and set frequent milestones to launch value (RERO).

Obviously centralised web-based technology is easily updatable compared to compiled and distributed mobile apps so choosing the right technology early is key to success.

Security and Quality

This is the project triangle where you can choose two sides (not three)

project mgmt triangle project mgmt triangle

Quality is a given so you must choose that, the other given is secure in my opinion.  I have blogged before about securing Ubuntu in the cloud (checklist), running security audits, installing WordPress WordFence Firewalls and WordPress Anti Malware plugins along with updating OpenSSL and applying kernel patches to protect against Spectre and Meltdown securing issues.  Supporting an app is serious stuff and often deployment is the start of the real work.

Maintenance

Will you need to recompile apps to meet iOS or Android requirements?

How often will you release updates? What percentage of devices do you want to reach?

What “service level” will you set for concurrent users, uptime and failover?  What priority will you give to backups and snapshots of the environment in case you need to restore to a previous state?

Past Lesson learned

Obviously, the larger the project and higher levels of storage/reliability/security the more checks and balances need to happen.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics contracted IBM to handle the Australian online census in 2016 and the major failure and report into what the identified problems were was an interesting read.

  • The ABS website was pulled down on the night of the study, with it then being unavailable for about 40 hours.
  • The ABS is judged to have failed to communicate with the public properly about major
  • IBM is deemed to have failed to properly test its disaster recovery processes
  • IBM had failed to properly plan for how to bring systems back up again.
  • IBM’s failure to have tested a router restart, or have a backup synchronised and in place, appears to have been significant contributing factors to the failure of the eCensus
  • In his report, meanwhile, Mr MacGibbon also found that the long-term, almost exclusive, relationship between the ABS and IBM had contributed to the problems by meaning any external questioning or oversight was absent.
  • Read more about the report.

As a minimum, you should plan and discuss early on about the performance, reliability and uptime targets for any app.  Personally I have moved between multiple cloud providers (CloudAnt, Digital Ocean, AWS and Vultr) to comfortably meet cost v performance (each app WILL have different requirements)

Type of app

The type of app (Web, Desktop, Mobile) you will need will come after discussing the problem, focus on the problem(s) and not the solution(s).

Conclusion

Do’s

  1. Keep Source ownership and IP (never let contractors own the code or processes)
  2. Insist on frequent handover often
  3. Do plan for updated version with major OS releases
  4. Do secure the app
  5. Do plan for maintenance of the app.

Don’t

  • Lock into expensive maintenance contracts.
  • Ensure the vendor is passionate about solving your problem and not the invoice they will submit.
  • etc

I hope this guide helps someone.

More Reading

Making your first Android app

Making your first cross-platform mobile app

Making your first cross-platform app with Electron

Ask a question or recommend an article

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Revision History

v1.1 added More Reading

v1.0 Initial post

Filed Under: Brainstorm Tagged With: an, app, flesh, How, idea, out, start, to, up

Infographic: So you have an idea for an app

October 31, 2017 by Simon

I created this graphic as I was asked by multiple people how to develop an app. This does not include tips on coding but many people with the non-technical prerequisites to building an app.

I hope this graphic helps someone (It’s my first infographic/decision flow image, feedback welcome).

So You Have an Idea For An App: Graphic

Click for a larger version.

Infographic-So-you-have-an-idea-for-an-app-v1-3

Standalone Image URL’s

v1.3 (22nd November 2017)
  https://fearby.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Infographic-So-you-have-an-idea-for-an-app-v1-3.jpg
v1.2 (4th Nov 2017, Added requirements and MoSCoW): 
  https://fearby.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Infographic-So-you-have-an-idea-for-an-app-v1-2.jpg
v1.1 (1st Nov 2017, Fixed Typos): 
  https://fearby.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Infographic-So-you-have-an-idea-for-an-app-v1-1.jpg

todo: Things to add Issues to fix in 1.4:
 - Add user personas and Epic, Story and Task stages.
 - How to capture good stories (and validated ideas (landing pages/interviews/problems/value/painpoints)

Define the problem(s) (pain points)

Before you start coding, do list your app requirements (problem’s to solve (pain points)).

Atlassian JIRA or Trello can help with this. I personally use (and like) Atlaz.io (now Hygger), I reviewed the BETA here).

Using Trello lists are also a simple way to capture tasks/ideas.

ListMore on these Read more here also read my Atlaz.io BETA Preview here.

Nothing beats pen and paper too.

Notepad

Moscow Prioritization

Must-Have Should-Have, Could-Have and Won’t-have are buckets you should sort ideas into. If you have trouble moving items away from Must to Should, Could or Won’t then assign a fictitious monetary value to spend on each item and that will help you decide what is more important.

Read this MoSCoW Method article at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MoSCoW_method

Managing MoSCoW tasks on paper is OK if you do not want to use planning software.

More

Read my guide on how to prototype apps with Adobe XD guide here.  You can also Prototype a Web app with Platforma (review here).

Read my post on how to develop software and stay on track.

Research

Do research your idea for market fit/need, competition, complexity, legal and validate ideas early. It’s best to find out early that Google will quote $60,000+ TAX a year to allow you to use Google map’s in your app early, then you can use https://www.mapbox.com for $499 a year.

Do you have competition?

Some people say “don’t develop an app that already exists”. Why would you develop a new Uber app? Henry Ford did make a new transportation mode when people were happy with horses, other car manufacturers like Tesla are moving in on the space so don’t be discouraged.

Landing Page

A landing page with a signup form (Newsletter and Register Interest) form is a good way to validate ideas and get feedback early (I would suggest you use a free Mainchimp signup form, a generated website with Platforma on a $5/m server for quick results). There is no point coding and launching to crickets.

Do you have an app Prototype or Mock-Up?

This is very important and easy step.  Programs like Adobe XD CC  (read my guide here) and Balsamiq can help you prototype an app, Platforma can help you prototype web apps.

Wire up a prototype

Drag and Drop

Have you validated your idea (app) with end-users?

If you don’t do this you are mad.  Watch this video to see lessons learned from Trades Cloud.

Is this app idea a hobby (passion)?

This can help you limit costs and expectations.  Cheap serves exist (read here and here).

Do you have time to develop/manage this?

Developing and managing an app and planning (paying for) development cycle can be time-consuming and mentally draining.

Can you code?

Do you need to hire developers or learn to code?  Blog post coming soon on how to hire coders.

Do you have funds?

Having funds on hand to set up and build an app is very important.

Do you want to hide developers (or get Venture Capital)?

This can help you get moving but you will have to give away a slice of the profits and or IP, managing mentors and VC’s can be tiresome.

Have you set failure criteria (post-mortem)?

Read this page on lessons learned from over 200 startup failures, save your favourites.  Having realistic goals and limits is a wise idea, do stop when you reach preset limits.

Do you have a business case?

There is plenty of business case generator template’s,  you will want to document some of the following.

  • What is your apps Purpose – App X will be..
  • What is your Mission Statement – App X will..
  • Who are your Target Customers – Retail..
  • Who are the Early Adopters – Retail..
  • What Problems does your app solve – App X will..
  • What Milestones will your app go through – iOS, Android, Apple TV, Web etc..
  • What Existing solutions exist – App: A, B and C..
  • How does your app Solve your customer’s problems (pain points) – App X will..
  • How will your app Find customers – Word of Mouth, Referrals, Advertisements?
  • What is your Revenue model – Sales, Ad’s, Subscriptions?
  • What is your apps Goal statement – App X will hit X users in X?
  • What are your apps Failure points – If app X does not reach X or monthly costs reach Y….
  • What is your Marketing message – App X will..
  • What is your apps Metrics – iOS, Android, Apple TV apps..
  • What is your Unfair Advantage – Why will you succeed over others?

Are you using a project management methodology?

Proven Methodology can help you develop software and stay on track, software like Atlaz, JIRA or Trello are highly recommended tools. Capturing ideas and processing feedback in tools is very important.

Before you code (or hire coders) use source code versioning software like GitHub and Bitbucket (guides here and here).  You want to retain the code and insist on owning it.

Product Goal

Simon Sinek has a good video on companies (or Products) being in a finite or infinite game.

Are you in full control of your development stack?

If you are not a developer you may not care if you are in control, but you will if there are issues with hired developers or issues with service providers.  I moved from CPanel to self-managed servers, moved from IBM Cloudant to Digital Ocean to AWS then Vultr servers where I can have full control or scalability, features, security and costs.

Can you forecast the costs?

Lowering cost and boosting performance is important and having spare money is a good thing.

I read recently that  Telsla is burning through $6,000 a minute and is forecast to need something like 2 billion dollars in the next 2 years. Software as Service platforms will drain your budget quick (they do take on some risk and maintenance tasks), is this worth it?

Mark Fedin (CEO and Co-founder at Atlaz) has a great post on the topic of viability Stop Dabbling At Startups .

Are you using the right tech?

Don’t be afraid of changing tech along the way, you may start with MySQL and move to MongoDB, Redis, Oracle ot MSSQL database servers etc.

Do you have systems to capture customer feedback?

Self-explanatory, you are solving customer problems, right? You will pivot in the first year (trust me).

What is your revenue/sales model?

If you don’t know how to make money then don’t make an app (apps are expensive to code and maintain).

Are you prioritizing task?

I have blogged about this before, do use the tools to stay on track.

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How to get useful feedback for your ideas

July 16, 2017 by Simon

I have witnessed investors are great at listening to pitches for the next best thing in order to snap up an investment offer. IMHO: Investors are worried about two things:

  • A) will this make money (with little effort from me)?
  • B) will this increase my success stats?

Feedback from Legal

Depending on your app idea you may need to get feedback from a legal expert.  It as always a good idea to not start building an app until you have validated your idea with potential paying customers, it is also a good idea to seek legal advice too. Only obtaining advice from a startup investor or agent may not be a good idea, ensure that your legal representative knows what they are talking about and has experience.

Feedback from Investors

Investors are very experienced but won’t necessarily give feedback like the Dragons Den or Shark Tank.

Feedback from Customers

Feedback from customers can also be dangerous as Trades Cloud found out.

Feedback from a Startup Mentor (board members) 

Me experience with mentors is they are like investors but only give advice in what they know. In my case feedback was all negative, they did not want to see what I had done, they advised don’t chase small profits (goes against: “small profit, large turnover”) and you should stop what you are doing, and chase after large profit. Also, I was advised to think about capital cities and not regions.

If you are only after money I would suggest you talk to an investor or startup mentor.

Project Types

Before you ask for or listen to feedback, are you developing a small product or a product and a startup, as the feedback you will receive will be quite different?  A smaller product may need feedback from customers but a start-up idea will need more thorough checks and idea validations.

I’d recommend you read this page on How To Start a Startup – Infographic if you want to create a startup.

This info-graphics was created by Anna Vital (based on an essay from by Paul Graham).

Feedback for a smaller idea

As a developer, you may want to get external feedback on your work, ideas or project. All feedback is good, right? This is what I have learned (so far).

The best feedback you can get is before development starts by talking to potential customers and end-users during alpha and beta testing.

Positive Feedback

  • Feedback can give you a fresh perspective and make you think.
  • Feedback can save you money.
  • Feedback can be free.

Negative Feedback

  • Don’t be disheartened when you hear negative feedback. All advice is good advice and it is up to you to contextualise and prioritise the feedback into tasks or actions.
  • People will tell you this has already been done already (after a quick Google but on detailed inspection this may not be the case).
  • Negative feedback can seed doubts.

Do or Don’t

Google is used by many for finding medical advice and it can also be used for finding out if a product or services exist already. But Google may turn you away from doing something. GoogleWhacking is a game where you try and find one search result with only two keywords entered into Google.

I have skipped countless cloud providers but I chose one based on what was important to me (value, performance, and ease of use). Product ideas are similar, it’s all in the execution and iterations.

Remember there was a social media platform called GeoCities before MySpace, did that stop Facebook? Social media, products, and services will come and go (remember Kodak and Blockbuster).

If in doubt find a good mentor.

Idea Validation

Good feedback should hurt and should make you think. Here is a good list of 232 failed start-up post mortems (I listed my favourite ones here).

I like Backblaze post on getting your first 1,000 customers.

Validate your ideas with customers and prioritize paying customers to feedback over free feedback. Providing polls asking what the future features should be is a good idea once you have 100 customers or more.

Pitches

If you are developing an idea be prepared to pitch your idea as the project grows. Pitches will succeed if you tick the listener’s boxes and don’t be concerned if pitches end in silence.

Ignoring Negative advice

People who give negative feedback may not know all of the details and will certainly forget the giving feedback hours later so don’t take negative feedback to heart.

I’d certainly listen to advice when it comes to money though.

People usually give feedback on what they know so don’t be too concerned if feedback is not what you expect.

Investors

Investors hate products that exist or may partially exist so do your research and explain how your solution solves existing problems or is better.

Do competitor or product checks and validate those problems beforehand.

Research

You have not thought of everything, again here is a good list of 232 failed start-up post mortems (I listed my favourite ones here).

Ensure you are delivering what people want (and the solution does not exist already).

Monetization is not everything

It is a common joke that “Investors make money, idea owners pay tax (and wages)”.

Rob Stitch (comedian) commented on the radio recently about the awesome Clarke and Dawes comedy sketch about a public bath that was questioned for not making money, the comedic punchline was “bad news for footpaths.”

Some things are more important than the costs if the need is high enough. But don’t burn a heap of money on silly ideas, aim small and scale up and iterate in public, get your feet wet early and iterate in public.

That’s easy for me to say but I would rather create stuff in my free time instead of burning money and time on other hobbies.

Be wary of people who only want to be involved in big money projects, want slices of your idea or be paid advisors. What motivates you may not motivate them.

How to get the feedback you need

Avoid people that do not listen and go into Yoda/advice mode before getting all the facts (especially if they were paid for giving advice).

How to use feedback you receive

Do prioritise advice from potential customers over all others. Atlassian blog gives tips using Jira to input feedback from customers in an agile project.

Park all feedback into a project task tracking software package like Trello or Jira (see my guide here). Ensure advice (and solutions) align with the initial problems and value. Additional advice may assist in obtaining VC capital or entering the startup building cycle but not help your initial customers problems. Feedback about higher monetization strategies may sound good to an Investor but would not help smaller customers with planned ideas.

Additional advice may assist in obtaining VC capital or entering the startup investor attracting cycle but not help your initial customers problems. Feedback about bigger monetization plans may sound good to an Investor but would not help existing customers with planned ideas.

Talk to the right people 

  • Talk to an investor if you need cash.
  • Talk to an end-user if you need feedback related to your product.
  • Talk to a developer if you need developer-related advice.

You will receive feedback about the things that people know.

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