Our company undertook the development of a custom chat application designed to support both one-on-one and group communications for a corporate client. Tailored specifically for Android devices, this case study outlines our approach to the challenges, the strategic planning, and the efficient execution that led to the successful delivery of the project.
Challenge
Our
client approached us with the need for a bespoke
chat application tailored to their unique business
requirements. The primary features requested were
one-to-one chat and group chats. The urgency and
specificity of the need stemmed from their desire to
enhance internal communication within their company
through a custom Android
application.
Strategy
Our
strategy was centered around three core
objectives:
Ensuring a smooth and
seamless user experience in terms of performance and
user interface.
Maintaining agility
throughout the development process to accommodate
evolving client needs.
Leveraging our
in-house talent, including developers and a product
owner, to adapt the team size and composition based
on the project phase and
requirements.
Realisation
The
project kicked off with an in-depth analysis of the
client's initial requirements. Through a series
of detailed discussions, we refined these
requirements to ensure a clear understanding and
alignment with client
expectations.
Initial Analysis and
Design: We collaborated with a trusted UX consultant
to craft the initial design. This design was then
refined in consultation with the client to ensure it
met their vision and
needs.
Architectural Planning: Our
architectural team chose Firebase as the backend
solution and Kotlin for app development. Given the
Android-exclusive focus, a native solution was
deemed the most appropriate.
Development
and Agile Implementation: The development began with
a robust foundation, utilizing our team’s extensive
experience in Android development. Our established
tech stack included tools like Hilt, Kotlin,
Retrofit, Mockito, Espresso, and JUnit. This allowed
us to quickly and effectively begin
coding.
Iterative Progress: Adopting a
two-week sprint cycle, we provided the client with
interim versions of the application. Each demo led
to fine-tuning of requirements and continuous
improvement of the
product.
Conclusions
The
successful completion of the chat application within
three months is a testament to the effectiveness of
our approach. Key factors that contributed to this
success included:
Adaptive Agile
Methodology: Our ability to adapt and evolve with
the client's changing needs ensured that we
remained aligned with their vision throughout the
project lifecycle.
Leveraging Familiar
Technologies and Automated Tests: Utilizing
automated tests, a well-known tech stack, and
processes that our team was proficient in allowed us
to expedite the development process. This strategic
choice was crucial in releasing version 1.0 within
the ambitious three-month timeframe from the initial
client contact.
In conclusion, this
project not only delivered a robust and
user-friendly chat application tailored to the
client's needs but also reinforced our ability
to meet challenging deadlines through strategic
planning, agile development, and leveraging our
team's core competencies.
