Tom Gaughan

KindGeek was selected to turn the client's wireframes into functional consumer-based applications on iOS and Android by providing helpful strategies and small amounts of design.

Feedback summary

KindGeek is complimented for helping improve the final product by providing suggestions based on experience in the industry and technical expertise. KindGeek is strongly recommended.

Challenge

What challenge were you trying to address with KindGeek?

We started off with a business plan and basic wireframes developed in-house and took the actual development to KindGeek.

Solution

What was the scope of their involvement?

KindGeek was responsible for all of our development work for the iOS and Android versions of the app. We have worked with a team of 6 people initially and have reduced that number to 4. The owner of KindGeek checks in on us from time to time, which is one of the main reasons I like them. We also have a London-based team working purely on design. KindGeek has also started taking part in the design for our app.

How did you come to work with KindGeek?

I interviewed around 12 companies in the Ukraine when I visited the country. I took my time, made another trip, and had second interviews with some candidates, whittling the decision down to 2 companies, including KindGeek. I chose them because of the major element of trust which came from KindGeek's CEO. He personally came out to the meetings and talked to me directly.

How much have you invested with KindGeek?

The total cost of our project with KindGeek has been around $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with KindGeek in July 2016. Our app was completed just today, and we're planning to launch it in a week's time. There is still some testing to be done, and we plan to use KindGeek on an ongoing basis for backend support.

Results & Feedback

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Our manager from KindGeek was a great mind to work with. While working on the app, he was able to point out many of the things that we were doing wrong. There were useless functionalities which killed the user experience. KindGeek talked to us directly and made suggestions on how to improve this. I found this to be fantastic, and it led to much of the rubbish around our app being eliminated. I didn't ask KindGeek to do this, but they simply felt that what we were doing was wrong for the application, and had the guts to tell this to us.

We're a new company, and our relationship with KindGeek needed to be based on trust. From the beginning, we found their team to be very professional and efficient. We were able to email KindGeek at 7 or 8 in the evening on UK time, and received instant responses, even though KindGeek is 2 hours ahead.

How did KindGeek perform from a project management standpoint?

We were only 5-6 days overschedule, which was mostly due to our designers changing the work. Every time we did this, the coders from KindGeek also had to change what they were doing.

I have flown to KindGeek's headquarters in Ukraine and worked with them face-to-face quite a lot. KindGeek's team are time people, with a strict focus on this aspect. I tend to think outside of the box, and I'm more of an entrepreneurial person, so I don't work very efficiently. KindGeek nailed me down and implemented a militarized regiment. Sticking to the schedule was more important for them than it was for me. I was happy with only being 5 days overschedule, but not KindGeek.

We used Slack for communication. I'm not a technically-minded person, so I left the task management for my team in London. KindGeek's project manager was a very practical and efficient person. We tend to have a relaxed attitude in our company, but there was no joking around when it came to getting the job done.

What did you find most impressive about KindGeek?

KindGeek is a very well-organized and efficient team. I have visited their offices; in the staff room, there is a very laid-back atmosphere with pool tables and playful attitudes. Once KindGeek got into the work, they seemed to be heads-down. I was impressed with the number of hours that they worked. KindGeek's team came in early, left late, and were very much focused on getting the job done as quickly as possible. KindGeek's management made an effort to discuss every aspect of our work, keeping everything open and clear.

Are there any areas KindGeek could improve?

If KindGeek moved to London, it would be helpful, but I can't really think of anything.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with KindGeek?

I would advise any client to get on a plane and meet the team personally.