CrossLife App Ecosystem

Sustaining the CrossLife iOS and Android app there is a complex system of web applications, integrations, and most importantly, people. We’ve created a carefully balanced software ecosystem that allows the application to offer not only its’ users a full-range of features but also to us and our customer every opportunity to continuously develop new features and maintain the system.

First contact and client onboarding

Market and UX research, identify the UPS, wireframing

Everything started with the client’s need to create a social network and WOD (Workout Of the Day) generator for crossfitters. We were provided with some rough sketches and plans. The first few steps were to assess the project’s requirements, research the market and evaluate the competition in this niche, create the initial wireframes, start thinking about the user experience and prepare a suggested plan for our client.

The project consists of the following components:

• Native iOS application;
• Native Android application;
• Web API;
• Web Admin Dashboard;
• Presentation Website.

App Project Management

Agile approach, constant reporting, continuous client interaction and feedback

In order to keep track of the project during development and after launch there are several tools available, this include features for:

• tracking development features and issues
• support and intermediary builds available for testers and clients
• tracking API and server versions to allow for quick recovery and interventions
• tracking application code and versioning
• tracking user activity and device logs

In order to develop stable and long lasting applications, each feature is analyzed. Analysing issues includes:

• check that the feature is atomic and if not break it down into smaller components
• check how the required design changes affect the other features
• check what existing features interact with it
• assign a timetable, taking into account existing features and development time
• check specific platform requirements (iOS, Android, Web) and keep flow differences to a minimum
• check Apple, Google Play, Facebook, Youtube policies and requirements
• confirm expenses and suggest limitations

App Design Process

From app concept to style guide

In order to develop stable and unitary applications a clear design is required, Adobe CC allowed the design team to give shape to several ideas.

The application UI and UX are a result of both the client and the design team. It is important to study existing applications, user tendencies and native functionalities, while keeping in mind the client wishes. This required several meetings, mockups and prototypes.

While the design is not set in stone, it does provide a solid view over the application. Marvel was a great support in presenting key application flows.

The whole design process consists in:

• Defining app concept;
• Conducting user research (this includes creating user personas, user journey map, etc);
• Creating wireframes;
• Creating prototypes;
• Defining style guides.