Living in the technology arena, you are very likely to find
yourself suffering from an identity crisis. And sure enough at its core this is
not a new problem, however I felt it was worth highlighting. There is a fallacy
among many in this arena that the latest frameworks are always the greatest. Maybe
what is needed here is the discipline of knowing how to separate the immediate
requirement of delivering a solution from your always eager curiosity.
Knowing that I am an “IT-guy” friends and associates often approach
me asking for a website, or my favourite an APP. If I had a dollar for every
time I was approached by someone who had an idea for an app, I surely would
have managed to pay for a couple of fancy dinners by now. The issues with this
are:
1. An app is not a business, before commissioning the
development of an app it is important to make sure that you have clarified your
business model.
2. Just because there is a valid business case, it does not
always follow that it is best delivered with the latest technology.
As an example USSD is a powerful tool (which I am looking
into quite keenly), that is used extensively in developing markets, but often
taken in contempt. Some great illustrations for application of this technology
in solving real issues are Wikipedia over
USSD, and AskMama.
Oh, and your mobile banking you did this morning.
Now sure enough there are some exceptions to the above, but
if you think that you are an exception chances are you’re not. So what can the
average South African do to help build this nation even if you do not have the
required technical aptitude? Well before approaching a developer asking for an app
(and also to avoid getting thrown out the window), try this:
- Do some basic testing to prove the validity of the need that you seek to address. Some tools for this are the Business Model Canvas and Effectuation.
- When you do approach your Technologist, say to them “I have noticed that there is a Problem/Need…I know this because…I would like your help to build a solution.
You know, in the same way that you go to a GP
and describe the symptoms and leave it up to them to prescribe a remedy.
It takes a whole nation to build an economy. So don’t be shy
to apply yourself.
