The power of assessments: must-have or nice-to-have?

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Each of our journeys starts with an assessment—an analysis of your current application landscape and architecture. Resulting in a clear plan of attack with a well-defined starting point. At least that’s how we work at CloudFuel. In one of our previous blog posts, you could read more about our view on the different stages of a journey. In this article, we’re zooming in on the importance of the assessment. Is it a must-have? Or a nice-to-have? 

What’s in a name? 

If you’ve ever gone on a car trip, you’ll know: having a good navigation system is essential. Of course, a road map isn’t bad, but it’s so much better to have an app like Waze to warn you of traffic congestion and diversions, or to check when the next petrol station is coming up.  

You could compare the principle to a journey that does or doesn’t start from an assessment. Working without an assessment means we can’t give you well-founded advice. You’re plunging into something head-first, and you’ll soon be faced with unpleasant surprises (a traffic jam or running out of fuel) which just wouldn’t happen if you used an assessment (Waze).  

With the aid of an assessment, you can do a pretty good job of evaluating where possible problems will occur, what efforts will have to be made, what risks might crop up, what the costs will be, and so much more. 

Co-Creation & Coaching 

The aim is to obtain a well-defined starting point and to improve the app with a co-creation model (consider us as supportive coaches). How does an assessment work? We go over a number of aspects together. First off, we thoroughly scan your application (and its environment) with the right tools. With a code analysis, for example, we can establish what versions the app works on, how safe everything is, if it works on location or on a cloud, and so on. In short: how does it run, where does it run, and how well is it (still) running.  

Technology goes a long way, but as a client, obviously, you’ll be consulted systematically. We won’t investigate anything without your okay and additional input. To begin with, we provide every customer with a complete overview in the document.  We feel this is the most efficient way of working, and as a customer you’re ensured that all aspects were assessed. Based on your answers, we can come up with solutions together, and these are tailored to your needs.  

We say solutions, but they’re mostly recommendations and improvements. We’ll never try to simply take over the development of your application, but rather, we’ll coach you to take your app to the next level. With your own people, at your own pace.  

So, that’s an adequate way of starting the design of the ideal architecture for your application. We calculate the costs, so they don’t suddenly soar, and we propose different paths. We can spot possible risks faster. In that respect, too, this stage is a big help. As a customer, you’re never confronted with faits accomplis or one-size-fits-all service. 

Assessment as a point of reference 

For retrospective reasons, too, assessments are interesting. Thanks to the document that was drafted, you can continuously—but especially at the end of a project—evaluate what was actually achieved. It contains the short-, medium-, and long-term objectives, and the attendant challenges. Possible risks were avoided or anticipated.  

We absolutely believe and invest in the assessment, because we’re convinced it offers exceptional added value. This stage takes several days, but it pays off handsomely. 

In short: an assessment is a must as the point of departure for a journey and travels with you all the way. 

Convinced of the value of an assessment and ready to start your journey with us? Get in touch now: we’d be glad to help with informal questions or concrete collaboration proposals. 

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