HOW TO BUILD THINGS THAT MATTER
summary
Claims a three‑phase process — sketch prototype build — that finds real problems, validates solutions with users, then ships small. Uses Google Forms and user advocates (5–20 people) for problem interviews, prototypes as live HTML templates instead of Photoshop, and measures dropoff with heap analytics or kissmetrics. Backend uses Django REST framework + Angular for front end prototypes; examples: a fly fishing diary & Manage My Fatigue app, where prototypes revealed icon confusion, led to text navigation and a red countdown under five minutes, and improved adherence.
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chapters (19)
- 0:00Intro
- 0:21Building things that matter Changing lives with technology
- 2:18Find a problem and solve it We are uniquely positioned to solve problems with the tools we already have.
- 2:53Obesity Contributor to diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer
- 3:42Go for a Walk Walking regularly hos HUGE health benefits. Build a walking game that's not fare. Heck, build 201
- 5:52There are MANY problems that need our help Mental health, poverty, education, social justice, the environment, wounded warriors and many more
- 7:01If no one uses it, It's not a solution User adoption is the key
- 9:24What's the problem? Do I have this right?
- 12:43What's the solution? How can we solve your problem
- 15:04Build User Advocates Users that will be honest and stick around
- 16:30Pretend
- 19:50Make it accessible
- 22:26Create Use tools that encourage progress
- 24:43Kill photoshop Stop using 2D mockups for contextual experience
- 28:26Use Templates and Django Flatpages Don't reinvent the wheel
- 30:27Why I use Django Rest Framework Alternative methods for CRUD
- 33:01Keep it simple
- 34:15Discussion
- 42:31Video production and editing by Confreaks
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