As an entrepreneur, few things are more disheartening than when the product we're working on doesn't gain momentum as quickly as we'd hoped. At Caravel Labs we have developed strategies to enhance visibility into potential obstacles throughout the development cycle. We've previously highlighted real-world scenarios, backed by verifiable data of current problems in the product design consulting space, where practices are carried out that demoralize innovators and impede the sustainable evolution of solutions. Trust inevitably erodes in such situations, and given that trust is a cornerstone when launching a business, safeguarding it is paramount. Three fundamental factors underpin the construction of both trust and efficiency.  

We use Human Centered Design with a purpose

Nobody wants to build a product or service that no one wants. And for that we have a rigorous process, but at the same time flexible and dynamic, which leads us to contemplate things that possibly escape us or are distracting to achieving the commitment to deliver the solution. This process is part of our Exploration Workshop where we analyze the fundamentals of understanding client's customers and users' journeys.

This is combined in a Service Blueprint, a diagram that visualizes the relationships between different service components — people, props (physical or digital evidence), and processes — that are directly tied to touchpoints in a specific customer journey. All the information collected and analyzed helps us to develop software that is not only user-friendly but also aligns with the values of the organization and contributes positively to society. It fosters a sense of responsibility and accountability among developers to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve through their creations. It helps us create products and services that are more likely to be successful. And more importantly it helps us build trust with our users. It helps us create a more ethical and responsible design process, because we understand how valuable time is and how important it is to be able to make the most of it.

The Exploration Workshop is a fundamental phase of our design process, but it is worthless if at the time of implementation, we do not have the necessary tools to measure progress.

We very seriously maintain our standard of Building a High-Performing Team

Do you wonder how seriously we take this issue? So much so that part of our pricing scheme is based on the result. We have the alternative of offering a Pay-for-performance pricing where we charge a fixed fee for each Sprint complete based on the Performance Level from our Engineering Team achieved during a Sprint. If we do not achieve elite or high level, we offer a discounted fee based on the elite/high-level price.

The objective standard that we follow for measuring Software Delivery Performance is the set of metrics determined and published by the DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA) team at Google Cloud. The baseline is based on the DORA Accelerate State of DevOps 2021 report and it is measured automatically through our internal service that provides us with this visibility. All stakeholders have access to it and it is discussed extensively during our interactions. 

And to show, some examples of our internal system:

Team Dashboard

Execution Plan Oveview

Team's Burn Up Chart

This system encompasses not only Software Delivery Performance metrics but also offers a plethora of helpful visualizations. These aids streamline our workflow by minimizing distractions, enhancing data-driven discussions among teams, and automating numerous administrative tasks typically associated with projects.

Measuring software delivery performance is essential for ensuring that software products are delivered on time, within budget, and with high quality. This practice aids in pinpointing bottlenecks and inefficiencies within the delivery process, assessing the effects of process alterations, fostering improved communication and collaboration among teams, and enabling data-centric decision-making.

For me as an engineer within Caravel Labs, it is one of the reasons that I appreciate the most, since we emphasize that it is a process that must serve in our favor, in order to achieve the goal of the project.

We want you to understand that the main goal is deploying quickly and efficiently as possible to the end user.

Deploying quickly and efficiently to the end user is vital for a successful product or service launch. In today's fast-paced digital landscape, staying relevant and meeting user expectations requires rapid deployment. By streamlining the development and deployment process, businesses can seize opportunities and respond promptly to changing important users' or customers' challenges. Emphasizing adaptability in development practices and leveraging automated testing and continuous integration will enable teams to identify and rectify issues swiftly, ensuring a smooth user experience.

Prioritizing speed and efficiency not only reduce time-to-market but also facilitates iterative improvements based on real-time user feedback, leading to a more human-centric and competitive offering. Maintaining a focus on speed and efficiency in deployment reinforces the notion that the organization values its customers' time and satisfaction, building trust and loyalty, and positioning the business as an industry leader that consistently delivers innovative solutions with speed and precision. 

If you are a leader in a software engineering organization and you're seeking insights into your organization's performance and potential areas for improvement, we're here to assist. Conversely, if you are frustrated with not getting the desired result when collaborating with software engineering organizations, reach out to us. We'd be delighted to provide a more in-depth explanation of how Caravel Labs distinguishes itself.