Idea to Reality in 5 Weeks
Have an idea for a mobile app? Let CS 394 Agile Software Development pair you with a dedicated student development team. Together, you will move from a rough concept to a functional, user-tested mobile web app in just five weeks.
Why Work With Us?
- Rapid Results: Move from "idea" to "working product" in 5 weeks.
- User-Centric Design: We coach you on how to test your app with real users to get critical feedback.
- No Technical Experience Needed: We provide the framework and the talent; you provide the vision.
Getting Started
To start, you only need a four-panel storyboard.
You can even ask AI to help write it.
This simple visual helps our developers understand the "payoff"—the exact moment your app solves a problem for a user. Once they understand your "Panel 3" (the core action), the team can start building immediately.
How the 5-Week Sprint Works
We use the Build-Measure-Learn loop to ensure no time is wasted on features users don't want.
- Weekly Strategy Session (1 Hour): A face-to-face meeting to review the latest build and plan the next set of features.
- Mid-Week Check-in (30 Mins): A quick video call to clear obstacles and keep momentum high.
- Timeline: These projects take place during the second half of the Northwestern quarter (May through early June).
What We Build
Our teams focus on mobile web apps. A mobile web app:
- Looks and responds like a native app.
- Works on both iOS and Android simultaneously.
- Can be shared with test users without downloads.
- Can be updated instantly.
Ready?
If you have an idea, let's talk.
Contact Prof. Riesbeck to get started
Resources for Success
Want to be a "pro" client? The following introduce some key ideas in effective prototyping:
- Think Small: Getting Real - Why "Minimum Viable Products" win.
- Storytelling: The 4-Panel Scenario - How to define your app’s value.
- Agile Process: Iterative vs. Incremental - How to handle changing ideas.