Developing using the skateboard approach: Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

A study on technology by the Harvey Nash Group shows that 73% of organizations claim that Software as a Service (SaaS) is instrumental in realizing their business goals, whereas the Internet of Things (IoT) is essential for 66% of manufacturing companies. While the power of SaaS seems unquestionable - and you can read all about it on our blog - you also need the right methodology to complete intricate projects successfully. One of the greatest coaches and leaders in the history of all American sports, Vince Lombardi, once said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” This statement is equally true for both sports teams and businesses. Perfection is unattainable, so we focus on empowering you to achieve manufacturing excellence. How do we do it? It’s clear that different software providers have different approaches, but - at Manufacturo - we develop using the skateboard approach.

The never-ending project syndrome

The skateboard approach and Agile methodology are interconnected through their shared emphasis on iterative development, adaptability, and user feedback. While the iterative nature of Agile ensures flexibility and helps effectively respond to changing requirements, Agile development can sometimes lead to what is known as the never-ending project syndrome with the tail wagging and the project deadlines not met, and the projects often delayed considerably.

At Manufacturo, we believe “The best disinfectant is sunlight” (more on this later) and want to get our product out to our customers fast, gather feedback, and iterate quickly. We are never going to stop building and enhancing Manufacturo - it is always going to be getting better as we continue to innovate it and incessantly aim to get you stronger and more valuable features and functions. We want you to be part of the deployment journey from day one, ensuring you can quickly battle-test the capabilities you need.

The skateboard approach by Manufacturo

Inspired by the analogy of building a skateboard being simpler and quicker than a car, the skateboard approach builds on smaller complete deliverables introduced early and frequently. The concept is an easy one, people want and deserve a Cadillac solution but to do so requires a Cadillac engine, Cadillac transmission, and so forth. This can take years and while this lengthy development is happening, the customer is no better off than when we started. Rather let's work on getting a basic solution out first, the skateboard, so we can both start using it.

Will you be happy? Maybe not - but at least we are both moving faster than walking. Then, we deliver a scooter, a bike, and so on, so that the solution delivers and lifts more. What we typically see is that when we are halfway, we realize that we never really needed a Cadillac but rather a pickup truck or a Tesla to better solve our pain. A system, like a chain, is only as good as its weakest link.

At Manufacturo, we don’t want you to be limited by predefined approaches, overused concepts, or inflexible technologies. We strive to empower emergent high-tech manufacturers to start small, iterate quickly, and scale efficiently. You deserve a solution that molds into your manufacturing model, and not the other way around.

What our skateboard approach means for you

Similar to learning to ride a skateboard, where you’d start with just a basic board and gradually add new wheels or a deck, our manufacturing software enables you to begin only with the features you need and progressively scale up as you grow. With Manufacturo, you can swiftly deploy key features without the need for extensive upfront investment in infrastructure or development.

The skateboard approach ensures that you can provide feedback sooner and often make critical pivots faster, all while starting to recognize ROI much earlier. The skateboard method also minimizes the so-called blast zone of going live with smaller, safer deployments and not a single big-bang rollout that can halt entire facilities.

By focusing on what truly matters and not trying to fix everything at once, we can effectively manage risks and address pain points systematically. Rather than advocating unattainable perfection, Manufacturo is built to help you achieve manufacturing excellence through continuous improvement.

Sunlight is the best disinfectant

The skateboard approach presents a compelling alternative to conventional Agile methodologies, prioritizing incremental software development and user-centered design. By rolling out features early and frequently, we ensure transparency while delivering tangible benefits from the earliest stages of Manufacturo implementation.

With almost 700 successful go-lives completed, we have a proven track record of developing using the skateboard approach. As the adage goes, sunlight is the best disinfectant, illuminating our applications and their features, so that we can continue to make Manufacturo better and effectively help you achieve manufacturing excellence.

Does the skateboard approach have any merit in manufacturing?

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