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Codebots has launched a new course called BotCamp, which we use to onboard our development teams. The four-week course, led by experts, covers model-driven engineering, augmented intelligence, and the Codebots product suite. It is now available to the public in Australia, Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil, and the USA. For more details or to register, visit the Codebots website.

WorkingMouse has been recognized as one of Australia's top custom software development companies by Clutch for the second consecutive year. This accolade reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional solutions and our clients' positive feedback. Located in Milton, Brisbane, our team is dedicated to tackling complex problems and continuously improving. We’re grateful for our clients' support and proud of our talented team. If you’re interested in working with us, feel free to reach out!

Visual aids help communicate abstract concepts more effectively, especially for visual learners who make up about 65% of the population. In software development, visual techniques like T-Shirt Sizing, Fibonacci sequencing, and Poker Cards can simplify project estimations. These methods help convey the size and complexity of tasks, making it easier for Product Owners to understand and prioritize work. Using a combination of these techniques ensures more accurate and meaningful estimations, aiding in better project management and communication.

Modern technologies significantly impact software development speed. APIs streamline integrations, rapid application development platforms like Codebots speed up coding, and existing libraries and tools save time. DevOps and CI/CD improve efficiency and feedback. While these technologies accelerate development, quality and maintainability remain crucial considerations.

We've just released Version 7 of our "Way of Working," an agile playbook designed to manage software risks and boost project success. This latest update introduces several key changes: a shift to a problem-led approach in the Brief stage for more creative solutions, segmentation of support into Enhancement and Product Success phases, differentiation between Brownfields and Greenfields projects for better adaptation, and a fresh new branding that reflects WorkingMouse's focus. These updates are based on real-world experience and aim to keep the process relevant and effective. You can explore these improvements and how they can enhance your projects by grabbing our latest e-book or physical copy!

WorkingMouse is rolling out its strategy for the 21/22 financial year, focusing on four key pillars: improving customer experience, enhancing continuous improvement, automating technology processes, and advancing career progression. Key initiatives include automating DevOps processes to streamline support and release cycles, increasing internal career growth opportunities, and simplifying customer interactions by reducing the number of contacts. The strategy aims to foster growth for both employees and clients, leveraging lessons from the previous year to refine their approach and deliver better results.

Design reviews are crucial for maintaining the aesthetics and functionality of web and mobile applications. As applications evolve, they often drift from their original design, making periodic design reviews necessary. To conduct a review, set up a document to track issues and recommendations, examine user workflows, check for font consistency and accessibility, ensure color and button cohesion, and evaluate HTML structure. Regular design reviews help keep applications fresh and aligned with brand standards, preventing UI/UX issues as your software evolves.

first, evaluate whether to use off-the-shelf solutions or build a custom app. Next, create a product plan outlining goals, success metrics, user benefits, competitors, and unique value. Clearly articulate the problem your app will solve, and validate your assumptions by interviewing potential users. Formulate a comprehensive business plan, set a preliminary budget, and decide whether to hire in-house developers or partner with an app development company. Engage stakeholders early to align interests, and carefully select a development partner. Finally, keep your MVP lean, utilize analytics for informed decision-making, and conduct thorough user acceptance tests to ensure the app meets expectations.

Discovery issues often increase the number of tasks in a project by about 15%, impacting time and costs. To handle this, acknowledge potential variations, incorporate a 10% buffer in your estimates for discovery, and refine your process based on tracked data. This approach helps manage unexpected changes and improve estimation accuracy.

Defining the problem accurately is crucial for effective software development but often gets sidelined in favor of quick solutions. To address this, we use the Lean UX Canvas, a tool by Jeff Gothelf, which helps teams focus on understanding the problem before jumping into solutions. By detailing aspects like business problems, user needs, and desired outcomes, this canvas improves problem definition and ensures better project alignment. Our adapted version of the Lean UX Canvas further refines this process, helping teams prioritize business and user outcomes to guide MVP development.

Iterations are small, incremental changes to a product that add value quickly and are used to keep products aligned with user needs and market demands. They involve regular testing and minor adjustments, such as UI tweaks or functionality updates. Pivots, on the other hand, are major changes to a product or business model that may be necessary if iterative improvements fail to address core issues or if market conditions shift significantly. Pivots involve comprehensive scoping and can be critical for rescuing or revitalising a product. Understanding when to iterate versus when to pivot is key to maintaining a product’s relevance and success.

Scope creep occurs when project requirements keep increasing without proper documentation or discussion, leading to increased development time and cost. It can derail projects if not managed. To avoid scope creep: 1) Nominate a single product owner to make final decisions on feature changes. 2) Continuously review and track changes in the project backlog. 3) Provide estimates for how changes will impact development time and cost. Preventing scope creep involves staying aware of potential issues, maintaining a project schedule, and keeping the backlog updated.

Scrum and Kanban are both effective methods but cater to different needs. Scrum focuses on structured, iterative planning with set roles and ceremonies, ideal for larger projects requiring detailed planning. Kanban offers flexibility with continuous flow and minimal meetings, suited for support and quick changes. At WorkingMouse, we use Scrum for development and Kanban for support and short-term tasks, leveraging the strengths of both approaches to fit our needs.

Agile project management offers numerous benefits, making it a popular choice for organizations. It enhances change management by allowing quick adaptations through iterative work and team feedback. With priority-driven development, Agile ensures that the most valuable features are built first by organizing requirements in order of importance. Its total transparency through daily stand-ups and retrospectives keeps all stakeholders informed and engaged. Agile also reduces risk by identifying issues early in short sprints, which enables swift re-evaluation and minimizes project failure. The methodology promotes enhanced team collaboration through regular meetings that address blockers and support skill development. Additionally, Agile improves cashflow by prioritizing key features, leading to faster delivery of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and quicker market testing. Overall, Agile’s flexibility and transparency help lower risks and deliver consistent value compared to traditional project management methods.

As we closed out the financial year, we took the chance to reflect and strategize for 2020-21. Our company-wide strategy day, led by CEO Matt Francis, highlighted our renewed focus. Our vision is to foster creativity and mastery to deliver valuable products, and our mission is to broaden our horizons through continuous improvement and client value. We have four main goals: 1) Ensure consistent quality throughout project phases, 2) Expand delivery capacity and customer reach, 3) Deliver and measure the value of our software, and 4) Prioritize people in our software development. These goals will guide our efforts as we continue to improve and grow.

Estimating software development costs is challenging due to the unique and evolving nature of software projects. Unlike other industries, software development involves many unknowns and rapidly changing technologies. Methods like bracketing, historical comparison, and scoping approaches such as T-shirt sizes or Fibonacci estimations are used, but accuracy improves with more information and scientific methods. Continuous learning and refining the estimation process can enhance accuracy, but no estimate is perfect.

Agile project management, unlike the traditional waterfall method, emphasizes flexibility and iterative progress, allowing for quicker adjustments and better risk management. It improves product/market fit by prioritizing customer feedback, enhances stakeholder collaboration, speeds up market entry, and optimizes feature delivery. Agile frameworks like Scrum and Kanban structure this approach, with WorkingMouse’s evolving Agile process addressing common issues such as unclear requirements and unrealistic estimates. Adopting Agile effectively requires both a flexible mindset and robust processes.

The length of the scoping phase in software development has a significant impact on development time. Our analysis shows a 90% correlation between scoping time and development length. While longer scoping can potentially lead to more thorough planning and better implementation, it may also extend the overall project timeline. Therefore, finding the right balance in scoping length is crucial to align development time with project goals and market needs.

Proper software release involves not just development, but effective deployment and hosting. Cloud hosting options are either private (more secure, costly) or public (less control, automated, cost-effective). WorkingMouse handles public cloud setups (AWS, Azure) efficiently, reducing setup time from weeks to a day with tools like Kubernetes. Costs for clients are minimized as WorkingMouse covers setup for public cloud environments, while private or customized setups may incur additional fees.

Verinote, developed by WorkingMouse in November 2019, is a secure web app for detailed and confidential note-taking, especially for law enforcement. It automates data recording, ensures secure storage, and includes features like audio recording and handwriting recognition. Built on a LAMP stack and delivered on time and budget, Verinote was completed in six weeks using a fixed time, variable scope approach.

Speed to market is crucial, but adding complex features can extend development time. Key functionalities that increase complexity and risk include offline sync, third-party integrations, advanced security, multitenancy, dynamic reporting, and multi-platform support. At WorkingMouse, we factor in these complexities and associated risks in our time estimates to avoid missed deadlines and budget overruns.

The length of a software development project depends on several factors, starting with scoping, which involves exploring and defining the project’s goals and estimating the time needed. Scoping typically takes 2-4 weeks. Agile development divides the project into iterations (1-2 weeks each) and milestones (which can range from 2 weeks to 3 months). The overall development time varies based on project complexity, scope, and priorities set by the product owner. Small projects may take around 6 weeks, while larger, evolving projects can extend over years.

Digital transformation is essential for updating outdated IT systems, and one approach is the firecracker method. This technique is ideal for small legacy applications, such as those built in Microsoft Access. The process involves documenting the old system's requirements, cleaning up and reverse-engineering the schema, designing a new UI, and then developing, testing, and deploying the updated application. This method is straightforward for smaller systems but may not suit larger, more complex ones. Proper documentation is crucial to ensure new applications remain relevant and manageable. For guidance on modernizing legacy software, consider reaching out or exploring available resources.

Industries are increasingly ripe for digital transformation. For example, ride-sharing apps have revolutionized transport, real estate is moving towards more digital tools, and HR is benefiting from enhanced application processes. Healthcare, though slow, has huge potential for digital advancements. Overcoming barriers like legacy systems and skills gaps is key. WorkingMouse can help with these transformations.

The "Plan Like a General" workshop by The Disruption Group introduced the Military Planning Process (MPP) for strategic planning. Key takeaways included Boyd's OODA Loop for staying ahead of competition, Wargaming to test plans, and combating cognitive biases. The workshop emphasized quick, focused planning and spending 70% of time framing the problem, which was a significant insight. Facilitator Timothy Keeffe provided practical strategies for enhancing organizational innovation.

Risk is unavoidable in software development, but managing it effectively is crucial. At WorkingMouse, we use the "Cone of Uncertainty" to understand and mitigate risk by breaking projects into smaller, manageable builds. This approach helps us keep estimates accurate and reduces overall project risk. We also use "tech spikes" to allow time for research and testing of high-risk tasks before they’re fully estimated. By incorporating these practices, we manage uncertainties better and keep projects on track.

Bugs in software are inevitable due to unexpected user interactions and changes in third-party frameworks. At WorkingMouse, we use a "trim the tail" approach, adding a time buffer to address bugs and quality improvements throughout the project. This method prevents last-minute issues and ensures better software quality. We recommend a 1.25x time multiplier for this buffer, and applying it incrementally helps manage bugs effectively and maintain project momentum.

Onsider is a B2B platform connecting specialized independent contractors with civil construction companies in Australia and New Zealand. Founded by an experienced civil engineer, the platform allows companies to easily find and hire skilled contractors for flexible contracts, while offering engineers the freedom to work freelance and receive timely payments. WorkingMouse developed a mobile-responsive web app with user-friendly features for both contractors and employers. Future plans include enhanced features, a ChatBot, and a native mobile app.

Tool Protect, founded by Gayle, a health professional, and her police officer husband, addresses tool theft issues with a new app. Despite initial challenges, the app quickly gained traction, earning media attention and nearly 2,000 subscriptions in its first month. WorkingMouse helped develop the app with a user-friendly design and efficient workflow. Moving forward, Tool Protect plans to monetize through subscriptions and commercial partnerships, aiming for a national rollout.

The Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) revamped their outdated website and created a new platform for promoting local food and produce, partnering with WorkingMouse. By using user personas and the Codebots Resource Behaviour, they developed a responsive, filterable website and a dynamic platform for local vendors. The CHDC site went live in 4 weeks, and the new platform in 2 weeks. CHDC aims for continuous modernization and plans to use the platform’s success to potentially license it to other regions.

SuzanneStays is a real estate platform dedicated to providing truly accessible accommodation for everyone. Co-founded by Michael, Suzanne, and Paul, the platform emerged from Suzanne’s personal journey with motor neurone disease (MND/ALS) and their realization of the gap in accessible vacation options. Developed with a focus on user-friendliness and accessibility, SuzanneStays features a holiday-building wizard, detailed property accessibility descriptions, and a two-sided portal for users and property owners. Launching on March 28, the platform aims to expand its property base and features to meet growing demand.

At WorkingMouse, Eban is the creative visionary, bringing cutting-edge design and style to the team with over 20 years in IT and a knack for making products look amazing. Matty, the tech guru, turns Eban's ideas into functional reality with his coding expertise and leadership in tech innovation. Dave, the hustler, ensures that these ideas meet market needs and are commercially viable, leveraging his sales and tech experience. Together, they form a dynamic trio, focused on delivering innovative, high-quality products and developing an advanced software platform.

Involving end users early in the development process is crucial for creating effective software. Many developers miss this step, assuming they know best, which often leads to costly redevelopment and abandoned projects. Engaging users through agile and lean methods helps identify issues sooner and reduce rework. Agile emphasizes ongoing user feedback, while lean focuses on efficiency and simplicity. By integrating user input from the start and adapting plans as needed, you can avoid common pitfalls and deliver better results. At WorkingMouse, we use iterative sprints to build and refine our products based on real user needs.

Before diving into Agile methodologies, it's essential to understand traditional organizational models like the waterfall model, where decision-making is top-down and linear. Agile emerged as a response to these rigid structures, emphasizing flexibility and iterative processes. Originating from the 2001 Agile Manifesto and concepts like Scrum, Agile focuses on continuous user feedback and collaboration. It aligns closely with Lean principles, which prioritize simplicity and incremental improvement. Both Agile and Lean advocate for adaptability and user-centered design, offering a more dynamic approach compared to traditional methods.

To prevent rushed development and misaligned expectations, we use epics and user stories to create a well-documented requirements backlog. Epics are high-level tasks that are broken down into detailed user stories, which outline specific functionalities and user needs. This approach allows for accurate project estimation and clear communication between project owners and developers, ensuring everyone has a shared understanding of the project requirements. For more information on how we implement this process, feel free to reach out.

Agile development's core principle of starting simple and iterating is now supercharged by software bots. At WorkingMouse, Codebots handle 90% of code writing, drastically reducing development and testing time, leading to cost savings. Despite this, human-driven business analysis remains crucial for innovation. Software bots enhance Agile by automating repetitive tasks, improving efficiency and cutting costs.

Embrace agility and adaptability over rigid methods like centralization and tradition. Agile and Lean are about acting on communication and adapting to change, rather than following strict rules. In an era of rapid technological advancement, innovation is crucial. Understand and apply Agile and Lean principles in ways that fit your business, and be prepared to evolve. Just as technology evolves, so should your processes to stay relevant and competitive.

Steve Cole founded SafeWorkPro to address inefficiencies with paper-based safety documents in Cole Contracting, where managing risk assessments was cumbersome and time-consuming. SafeWorkPro digitalizes workplace safety paperwork, significantly improving productivity and compliance. Partnering with WorkingMouse, SafeWorkPro developed a user-friendly app, now with over 20 versions, incorporating features like dashboards, geotagging, and push notifications. This collaboration showcases WorkingMouse’s Codebots Platform, enhancing data collection and user engagement, and supports SafeWorkPro’s growth with over 50 active users.

Startups face numerous challenges, but with support from Advance Queensland, WorkingMouse is advancing its goals. Partnering with the University of Queensland, including expert supervision from Professor Paul Strooper, and welcoming Taun Vos to the UX team, WorkingMouse is enhancing its project focused on cloud-based code generation. This shift to a Platform-as-a-Service model will scale their business and offer rapid application development. Queensland startups should explore Advance Queensland’s initiatives for support.

A startup weekend focuses on validating market interest in new ideas, unlike a hackathon that develops prototypes for set problems. At the Health Startup Weekend, WorkingMouse explored creating a toolset for supporting Australia's eHealth protocol, which involves complex technical requirements. They proposed using code generators to simplify integration with the protocol. The weekend highlighted the importance of market validation and demonstrated how innovative tools can address eHealth challenges.

UX design goes beyond making a website look attractive; it focuses on enhancing overall user satisfaction by improving usability and interaction. Good UX design helps keep users engaged and increases the likelihood of conversion. With high expectations and standards for web experiences, businesses must prioritize UX to build trust, credibility, and retain users. A poor UX can lead to lost opportunities and sales. For insights on combining UX design with cloud networking, check out our White Paper.

Steve Keefe's vision with Dirigo is to empower clients with clear financial insights and personalized service, setting itself apart from traditional banks and brokers. The Mortgage Brokers industry is growing, but many still feel uninformed about their finances. Dirigo offers efficient, client-focused solutions for securing finance and achieving financial freedom. Despite initial doubts, WorkingMouse successfully developed Dirigo’s new Finance Software in just three weeks using their Codebots, proving that ambitious projects can be completed quickly.

Changing developers can be streamlined by following these six steps: First, confirm that you own your source code and have the proper documentation. Next, identify why you need a change to avoid repeating past issues. Choose a new developer based on strong communication and support. Manage the transition carefully, especially if the current relationship is strained. Ensure a smooth handover of documentation and assets, or prepare for potential recreations. Finally, work with your new developer to analyze and iterate on your software for continued improvement.

WorkingMouse, in partnership with Cornerstone, migrated the Department of Defence's disparate procurement systems to a centralized cloud repository. Originally focusing on non-material procurement, the project expanded to include material procurement. Using agile methods and Codebots, the team achieved rapid development and integration, enhancing transparency and reporting. The successful migration led to ongoing enhancements and an expanded scope, consolidating all procurement activities into a single cloud application.

The Queensland Partners in Technology (PiT) seminars, hosted by the Department of Information Technology and Innovation, aim to shape Queensland's future by fostering innovation. The 2016 event featured key speakers: Lou Boyle from LGAQ highlighted the need for automated processes in local government; Clinton Parker discussed the massive growth in data; Bryan Beswick envisioned the Sunshine Coast as a "smart" city; and Jim Barclay spoke on the role of smaller businesses alongside tech giants. The event concluded with a networking session, revealing new business ideas and opportunities for collaboration.

2017 was a standout year for WorkingMouse, marked by significant growth and achievements. The company ranked 70th on Deloitte's Fastest 500 in Asia Pacific with 800% revenue growth since 2015. With a 30% increase in team size, WorkingMouse attended major events, received accolades, and launched new products, including Codebots. Highlights included launching our newsletter, expanding office space, and achieving a successful Codebots demo and launch. Looking ahead, we’re excited for more growth and innovation in 2018.

For R&D tax incentive applications, it's crucial to plan ahead and document your research process thoroughly. Rather than reverse engineering, focus on structuring your tech business to align with the incentive's requirements. Use the scientific method—hypothesis, testing, data collection, and analysis—to ensure your activities meet the criteria. Additionally, create roadmaps to detail how each activity contributes to R&D. These tools help with compliance and improve business efficiency.

At a recent RHoK hackathon, we developed a prototype for "Cane Enabled," a device to assist the elderly and disabled with mobility and emergency tracking. Despite tight deadlines, we created a functional MVP, raised $110 for further development, and demonstrated the cane's capabilities effectively. Our work earned us a joint first-place finish, highlighting the impact of innovative solutions for social good.

To sustain a business, focus on building a base of 1,000 true fans—dedicated customers who will consistently buy your products. Each fan spending $300 annually results in $300,000 in revenue. Prioritizing the needs of these loyal customers over broader market trends can provide a stable foundation for growth. While achieving widespread popularity is ideal, a solid true fan base can be crucial, especially for start-ups or niche markets.

Gamification applies game design elements to non-game contexts, aiming to solve real-world problems like boosting employee engagement with mundane tasks. It's increasingly popular among executives and software developers. While it can enhance engagement and transparency by reflecting real-time achievements, gamification should not be used as a band-aid for poorly designed processes. For employees, gamification must be well-designed to avoid adding stress. Overall, when done correctly, it can transform dull tasks into engaging ones and provide valuable performance insights.

Gamification can be highly impactful across various industries, including banking. For example, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia used gamification with its 2011 Investorville simulation, which taught property investment through a risk-free virtual world, resulting in a 413% ROI from actual loans tracked. Gamification can enhance engagement and motivation, as shown by TalentLMS data, which found that leaderboards and point systems significantly boost employee motivation. Properly implemented, gamification offers valuable insights, improved ROI, and increased engagement for both consumers and employees.

Digital dashboards, like those from WorkingMouse, provide a visual overview of an organization’s performance by consolidating data from various teams. They come in strategic (overview) and analytical (detailed) types, helping to quickly identify trends and make informed decisions. For instance, Carelynx uses a dashboard to efficiently track health metrics and assess performance. Dashboards are crucial for visualizing progress and key performance indicators.

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