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Killer Software Project

A detailed account of a Fastlane process...

GregDott

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Hello wonderful Fastlaners and Gawkers (I'm in the process of transitioning from the second category to the first...)

I have been very inspired and enriched by the people on this forum in my short time here (THANKS). This is my first progress thread, and it is early days. Here goes...

Context:
  • I work online as a freelance web and mobile developer (mostly PHP and Android).
  • I am pursuing my 'Fastlane' goals in almost every spare moment, with exceptions for unwinding and quality time.
  • I have been pushing myself down this interesting fractal alleyway for around 3 weeks now.
  • My 'WHY' is extensive. At the top of the list, is ensuring a safe future for my family, before anything else. Beyond that, I am artist and plan to free up my time to create as I please. I plan to create an artist sanctuary one day, where people can come and gawk and give artists fruit, and watch them toss faecal matter around. Ok, minus that last part.
After reading The Millionaire Fastlane , a switch got flipped, and I began executing. Unfortunately, it was an idea that was not too well researched. Something that had been bobbing around in my head for a while. I created a website. I wanted to build it in a robust framework, so I quickly learnt Laravel. I decided it needed to be potentially highly scalable, so I learnt about Amazon Web Services (AWS - cloud computing platform). I set up my website's skeleton and then proceeded to doing market research etc. Great idea. Do the market research after the initial execution because you are a rabid dog chasing money and acting like you're creating value because you want to. Clap clap clap.

Long story short, my idea would have leveraged off a bunch of services API's. I did not think to ensure that these API's would be accessible for my purposes. Only after half building the website. Turns out I just wasted 3 weeks (working at least 3-6 hours each day). School fees I guess. Fortunately I have a cursory understanding of AWS now and Laravel, each of which is a potential bullet in my gun. Nevertheless I wasted time. I tend to think I needed to. Child and the hot plate syndrome.

This brings me to 3 days ago. With the outstanding knowledge and insight of a number of forum members, I began to see where I was getting hung up. I was completely set on only pursuing something in my current domain of expertise. I think a little bit of change adversity was at work. I finally allowed my initial plan to crumble gracefully, although I will turn that into a blog.

Inspired by the content creation monster @SinisterLex I decided to put some efforts into writing two blogs. Not necessarily for generating any shmeckles per say, but purely for the sake of practising writing, creating content and sharing my knowledge. One blog will be on the topic of freelancing (I know, wow, original), and the other will be on specific technical topics I come across in my freelancing work (also, wow, groundbreaking stuff) for the sake of promoting my consulting services. The purpose here is get myself into the habit of creating value in whatever way I am able. Also to put myself out there in the world. I'm obscenely introverted. I have actually found myself thoroughly enjoying the creation of content. Turns out I have a lot more in my noggin than I realise.

One other thing to mention, that has formed the bedrock of my process so far is the Miracle Morning. Been doing that solidly for the last 17 days and it has helped me to build focus and stamina.

Ok. Where am I now? I am trying to figure this out.

Provide value being the mantra, I have expanded my areas of investigation. I'm in research mode. Busy examining everything I can think of. From importing, to building various types of software and web-services, to inventing.

I plan on doing an update each week. I am saying this to keep myself accountable and to inform whoever may be interested in the progress of this barely formed zygote. I intend to have at least 3 strong possibilities that I can compare using a Weighted Average Decision Matrix by this time next week Wednesday.

Any insight and input (and criticism please) will always be appreciated. I will not ask anyone for ideas or anything of that puerile nature. I mean input regarding my logic and execution.

Thanks for reading... ;)
 
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GregDott

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Hi All. I hope this Wednesday finds you well and that your efforts are being directed towards something constructive and meaningful.

This is my first weekly update. :eek:

I spent the past week engaging in as much research as I possibly could. I compiled a list of 20+ ideas that I believe are strong contenders. I then reduced the list to 8 (based on various factors, but most strongly, those of control and scale).

I created a weighted average decision matrix with these eight options (I know I said 3 last week haha). The factors that I used for comparison were:

Need
Entry
Control
Scale
Time
Relevant Experience
Competition
Monetary Investment
Temporal Investment
Geographical Restriction
Ceiling
Floor

I know the analysis is incomplete, but I would hazard a guess that it never will be and at some point you just need to get stuck in. Hopefully I didn't overlook something absolutely crucial.

Four options came out on top, with one undisputed winner. The nice thing is that these four all look very promising, so I have a spare clip in my pocket in case all goes to sh*t with the first idea.

Without going into too much into detail, it is a species of software.

I also did some soft proofs regarding my offering on relevant forums. Looks like it is something that people would want, so I have given myself the go-ahead. I also received some interesting feedback that spawned another idea, for a future project in the same suite of software. A sentence containing the word 'wish'.

I have started performing requirements engineering and design. Database structures, program design (mobile and server). By next week Wednesday, I plan to have a very basic version of it working. There will be a LOT more work after that, but I just want to get the concept up and running as quick as possible so that I can get people to start using and give me feedback. That way the development process will adjust according to the market.

That's it for this week. Real execution begins today. The zygote has become a blastocyst. This next week determines whether or not it will attach itself to the uterine wall. Thanks for reading. BYE! :devil:
 

RobD88

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Welcome to the forum! I will have to admit that most of what you're talking about sounds "greek" to me but it's interesting. I hope to read about your success in the future. If you don't mind...can you send me a link to your blogs?
 

GregDott

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Welcome to the forum! I will have to admit that most of what you're talking about sounds "greek" to me but it's interesting. I hope to read about your success in the future. If you don't mind...can you send me a link to your blogs?

Hey man. Thank you! I'm still busy finishing off some of the design aspects of my consulting services' website, so not quite ready to reveal that. When it is ready I'll drop a link...

I think I've abandoned the idea of writing about freelancing for now. Too much other stuff that I want to focus on... Maybe I'll get back to it, but for now its on the back burner.
 
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GregDott

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Ok, weekly update...

Last week's target of getting MVP up and running was not met.

Initially I was planning on doing the mobile side of the software in Unity as I have some experience with it and it's great for making cross platform apps. After a bit of research I decided to abandon the idea and make it all a PWA (progressive web app). This saves on development time in the long run and has a bunch of other attractive aspects (no need to visit the app store, offline functionality etc.)

Still a bit of a curve to navigate there but it's not too steep.

Then, having decided to build the software on AWS (Amazon Web Services) using Laravel (a PHP framework) I went about looking for a Laravel based CMS (content management system). I was thinking forward in terms of maintenance. This was something. There are quite a few Laravel based CMS's out there at the moment. Unfortunately, all of them seem to be in Beta mode still. I spent several days doing nothing but trying to install one or another CMS only to find it was buggy AF or didn't work at all.

Then I found PyroCMS. Seemed to work fine, at least for content management purposes. Until I got into the guts of things. It would take me another week just to figure out how that all was put together so that I could achieve what I wanted. Long story short, I've ditched the idea of using any cms for now and am building the service on pure Laravel. Anxiety levels dropped substantially with this choice.

Not much else to report. Mildly frustrated.

I've shifted last week's target one week forward. By this time next week, I will have an MVP done. Quite sure I will get there this time.

Oh and in case anyone is interested, I use Trello for project management. Really great software if you need something like that.

Cheerio :bullseye:
 

Arevico

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Apr 7, 2017
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Hi All. I hope this Wednesday finds you well and that your efforts are being directed towards something constructive and meaningful.

This is my first weekly update. :eek:

I spent the past week engaging in as much research as I possibly could. I compiled a list of 20+ ideas that I believe are strong contenders. I then reduced the list to 8 (based on various factors, but most strongly, those of control and scale).

I created a weighted average decision matrix with these eight options (I know I said 3 last week haha). The factors that I used for comparison were:

Need
Entry
Control
Scale
Time
Relevant Experience
Competition
Monetary Investment
Temporal Investment
Geographical Restriction
Ceiling
Floor

I know the analysis is incomplete, but I would hazard a guess that it never will be and at some point you just need to get stuck in. Hopefully I didn't overlook something absolutely crucial.

Four options came out on top, with one undisputed winner. The nice thing is that these four all look very promising, so I have a spare clip in my pocket in case all goes to sh*t with the first idea.

Without going into too much into detail, it is a species of software.

I also did some soft proofs regarding my offering on relevant forums. Looks like it is something that people would want, so I have given myself the go-ahead. I also received some interesting feedback that spawned another idea, for a future project in the same suite of software. A sentence containing the word 'wish'.

I have started performing requirements engineering and design. Database structures, program design (mobile and server). By next week Wednesday, I plan to have a very basic version of it working. There will be a LOT more work after that, but I just want to get the concept up and running as quick as possible so that I can get people to start using and give me feedback. That way the development process will adjust according to the market.

That's it for this week. Real execution begins today. The zygote has become a blastocyst. This next week determines whether or not it will attach itself to the uterine wall. Thanks for reading. BYE! :devil:

I'm a PHP developer myself and found that (atleast I) we like to get quick to develop. I've developed a few WordPress plugins getting some results, but most other ones that failed (read, i made mistakes that could be prevented, like checking out existing solutions). Don't skip on that validation step to quick, you don't need a fully working MVP to test out the markets,some screenshots am opt-in page and a countdown timer is al you need. Any way this is the approach i'm taking now :) Next plugin im devleoping i just start with the forntend so i get some nice pictures to communicate the value proposition im offering and put up a landing page :)
 

GregDott

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This week's progress:

Finally got MVP up and running. Glad I made the commitment to have it done by Wednesday. Caused me to really kick my a$$ into gear. Quite happy with how it's progressing and moderately impressed with myself when I really grind.

I think I worked at least 7-10 hours on it per day for the past week (minus weekend - about 4 hours each day there).

Now that a product is starting to emerge I have already begun to doubt everything. Now that it's real I have the annoying thought of "no one would ever buy this" circulating my head. There is some competition, but my value proposition is better (as far as my metrics are concerned) and my interface is way simpler and smoother. There are also things my product will provide that no other product I have seen caters for.

I'm muscling through the doubt and committing to the ever-present possibility of rejection.

This coming week, I will be testing and tweaking and possibly introducing new features. By next week Wednesday, it will be starting to look highly polished. I plan also to have created 2 skins for it, and have designed 3 different modes of operation.

I will be on a meditation retreat from 16 April to 30 April, so I won't be releasing to users before then. I don't want to release it and then be unreachable. Sets a bad precedent. That being said, I will release the first phase of this project to the world on the 1st of May. All things going well.

In general, I am feeling exhausted but positive.

mightysun.jpg
 
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GregDott

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Weekly update:

Have been grafting nicely this past week. A number of things took far longer to implement than I imagined (partly due to needing to learn stuff and partly due to not looking clearly enough at what the thing to do actually is). This is a problem I keep encountering in this project and in my freelance work. I am always underestimating the amount of time required to do something and I suffer for it. Need to start refining that skill.

This week's target changed somewhat from what I had originally planned. I think I'm on track to have the first release ready by the end of Tuesday next week. Will only release properly at the beginning of May though (I'll be unavailable from 18-29 April). Will only know by then though. My product is starting to become something quite substantial and I am getting excited.

I have been exhausting myself though, and need to find a good balance between work and relaxing. I think my girlfriend thinks I'm slightly mad and obsessive, which, given my behaviour is not a bad assessment.

That's all for this week. Might post once more on Tuesday before I go off-grid. I think I'll start a release thread to track the progress of the project when I start the release.
 

Vinayalchemy

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I have few questions for you.

1. How did you choose a niche ?

2. What is the product you working on?

3. How did you make up your mind to start on this project, what was the factor which made you feel it will work.

Can you please answer, it will help me as well in my development.
 

GregDott

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1. I did research.
2. I will not divulge that information. I do not think that needs an explanation. Don't be lazy.
3. I did research and listened to people. I don't know 100% that it will work. You can never know for sure. What did help was analysing the idea in terms of CENTS.

The nature of question (2) makes me sad. Somewhat infuriated actually. Would be nice if certain banners or tags could be awarded to people who ask this sort of question.
 
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Vinayalchemy

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Sorry for making you infuriated.

I thought idea sharing should not be a problem, anyways i am really sorry for that.

1. I did research.
2. I will not divulge that information. I do not think that needs an explanation. Don't be lazy.
3. I did research and listened to people. I don't know 100% that it will work. You can never know for sure. What did help was analysing the idea in terms of CENTS.

The nature of question (2) makes me sad. Somewhat infuriated actually. Would be nice if certain banners or tags could be awarded to people who ask this sort of question.
 

GregDott

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Sorry for making you infuriated.

I thought idea sharing should not be a problem, anyways i am really sorry for that.

I am more than happy to share ideas related to execution, process, tools etc.
Sharing the actual business idea that I spent a lot of effort researching is a whole other story.
 

GregDott

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Ok! I will not ask such questions henceforth.

Can you please help me on how to select a niche ?

Thank You
Maybe I was a bit harsh. You must understand though, I treat what I am working on like my baby.

I'm not sure I would be able to help you select a niche hey. This is my first SaaS that I am developing, so I am having to learn a lot as I go along. All that I can say is that you really need to get stuck in and do some research. Start with what you know and branch out. Ask people questions. Listen.Try solving a problem that people have. That's all I really know on the subject.
 

Vinayalchemy

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@GregDott I understand, I will make sure such questions will not repeat.

This is the first time i am on this forum, i did not realize this. Sorry!

Maybe I was a bit harsh. You must understand though, I treat what I am working on like my baby.

I'm not sure I would be able to help you select a niche hey. This is my first SaaS that I am developing, so I am having to learn a lot as I go along. All that I can say is that you really need to get stuck in and do some research. Start with what you know and branch out. Ask people questions. Listen.Try solving a problem that people have. That's all I really know on the subject.
 

ytomasch

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Weekly update:
I have been exhausting myself though, and need to find a good balance between work and relaxing. I think my girlfriend thinks I'm slightly mad and obsessive, which, given my behaviour is not a bad assessment.

That's all for this week. Might post once more on Tuesday before I go off-grid. I think I'll start a release thread to track the progress of the project when I start the release.

Hey man, I'm new to registering here, but I've been around for awhile. I wanted to point out that as in Unscripted (you've read), MJ highlights that it's okay to be out of 'balance' and obsession in your creation is actually a great and powerful thing. Goodluck and keep up the hard work.
 

GregDott

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Hey man, I'm new to registering here, but I've been around for awhile. I wanted to point out that as in Unscripted (you've read), MJ highlights that it's okay to be out of 'balance' and obsession in your creation is actually a great and powerful thing. Goodluck and keep up the hard work.
Thank you kindly for your words of encouragement. And yes you are absolutely right.
 

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