The Smyth Group

10/29/2024

Watch as “The Most Inaccurate Techsplainer in the World” unpacks the difference between UX and UI—until our COO Japheth Smellie straightens him out.

How can focusing on your software’s UX and UI impact your users? https://thesmythgroup.com/insights/design-led-software-is-the-disneyland-of-ux/

10/17/2024

Have you ever tried to fix an issue in your process, only to realize that your solution didn't actually address it? Not only did it fail to resolve the original problem, but it also created new ones! 🤯

The 5 Whys technique can help. This video from our TSG design workshop explains the value of incorporating the 5 Whys into your product development system.

We've also transformed the video into an article, which you can read here: https://thesmythgroup.com/insights/the-5-whys-identifying-the-problem-to-solve/

09/17/2024

✨ New Video Alert: "Why is There So Much Janky Software? Part 3: Technical Debt”

In our latest episode, our CEO Jamie Smyth discuss the similarities between technical debt and broken windows—and explains why you should tolerate neither. 🙅🏻‍♂️

Technical debt leads to janky software via lowered standards, system crashes, frustrated users, and more.

Avoid the jank. Pay down technical debt regularly, and fix it the right way.

🔗 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nTa3hSuJ8w0

Have a technical debt best practice? Share in the comments!

08/29/2024

One key to making good software: keep the potatoes hot! 🔥 🥔

Watch as our Development Coordinator, Paul Bredenberg, explains this mental model that will improve your communication style and result in better software.

08/29/2024

One key to making good software: keep the potatoes hot! 🔥 🥔

Watch as our Development Coordinator, Paul Bredenberg, explains this mental model that will improve your communication style and result in better software.

07/09/2024

“It’s ok if someone is a jerk on your team, as long as they do brilliant work. If everyone just powers through, the project will be a success.”

Sound familiar? This belief suggests that exceptionally talented individuals—despite their toxic behavior—should be tolerated or even celebrated because their skills or intellect are considered indispensable.

Well, we completely disagree 🙅🏻

In our latest video, we discuss why having a jerk on the team can actually lead to janky software, and what you can do to create a collaborative and respectful environment.

03/19/2024

A couple of weeks ago, we visited the fine folks at NC Equipment, a family owned heavy equipment rental house and dealership. They’ve been industry leaders for decades—and it’s no wonder why. This three-generation strong, dedicated group continues to invest in and level up their company, and we’re so thankful to be a part of their efforts.

After our first phase working together, they were able to replace an outdated system with a new, tailored piece of custom software, resulting in marked improvement in their efficiency and even better service for their customers.

During the second phase, Nikita and Joel traveled to their facility for an on-site workshop. The goal of the visit was to better understand the needs and challenges of the technicians and mechanics that service their heavy machinery, leading to strategic improvements to their software.

The in-person workshop gave us the opportunity to forge stronger ties and enhance collaboration between our teams.

The secondary goal was to perfect Nikita’s and Joel’s tractor-driving skills. You’ll have to ask NC Equipment how they did—this is not the sort of “machine learning” our team is familiar with. 🤣

02/14/2024

Is “scope creep” really the villain we make it out to be? 👺 Think again!

Ever heard of Howard Carter? He's not just a famous Egyptologist; he's our unexpected guru on handling project scope!

In our latest blog, we delve into the often-misunderstood world of scope creep. Carter's quest for King Tut's tomb is a tale of unexpected twists, added complexities, and evolving scopes—sounding familiar?

We argue that what's often labeled as scope creep might just be the project evolving towards success. Yes, you read that right. Success.

It's about staying true to the Why of the project, not just the initial How and What.

🗞️ Check out our blog for a fresh take on embracing the journey of project evolution—you might find it's worth its weight in gold (or ancient treasures).

Dispelling myths about "scope creep" will ensure the success of your software project.

01/30/2024

If you’re leading a software project and think that only functionality matters, you’re wrong. ❌

Studies have shown that users heavily prioritize design aesthetics when it comes to judging credibility. First impressions in the digital world are powerful, and if you don’t make a good one, it won’t matter if your product is better than the competitor’s. The users wont stick around long enough to find out. 🫥

But what exactly constitutes a subpar design experience?

Discover the common UI pitfalls that even seasoned leaders might overlook in our latest article by our talented UX Designer, Nikita Abraham. Learn not only what to avoid but also strategic design practices that align with your business objectives for this year: https://thesmythgroup.com/insights/avoid-these-6-ui-mistakes-to-captivate-users-in-2024/

What design missteps have you come across that made you rethink your approach?

These 6 principles are part of the backbone of crafting an intuitive and seamless software UI.

01/25/2024

Special thanks to Sergio Veltri (CSO @ Dynamo), Mathew Caldwell (Strategic Advisor), Aaron Fry (CTO @ City of Fullerton), and Raj Suchak (CTO @ Xcite Automotive) for your unique perspectives during this week’s webinar on hiring technical talent. They contributed their valuable expertise on the topic of how to assemble an exceptional software team and shared many insightful points.

Also our very own Aaron Kleid and Paul Bredenberg talked about how to successfully identify quality candidates for both software design and engineering roles, focusing on assessing not only technical ability but also soft skills and culture fit. They provided sample questions for interviewing candidates and the types of answers you should be looking for.

What was your favorite takeaway? 🗒️

👀 If you didn’t get to watch the webinar (A Non-Technical Guide to Assembling An Exceptional Software Team), register now to watch the recording and get the insights at the link in our bio.