3Step

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Mapa Pasji Foundation. We have several projects that involve creating quests with the help of local people. We document cultural heritage through videos and photographs and create treasure hunts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 3Step?

We needed help with mobile app and web development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The main project they’ve worked with us on is called “Treasures of Mountain People”, which documents and tells of our local mountain heritage. The web and mobile app allow users to add different types of content, such as photos, text, and videos, which we present on a nicely-designed map and convert into quests. Users can go on treasure hunts wherever they are.

We have several games of this kind. In these games, there’s a GPS mechanism that tracks your location and shows you different parts of the game. There are also questions you need to answer in order to find your way. If you follow the instructions correctly, you’ll find the actual physical treasure and get a digital diploma in the app.

The app was developed for Android and iOS. They had some ideas as to how it should work. We provided the graphic elements and they used those in a very creative way. For the website, they used a CMS. It’s very easy to upload new materials and create new user accounts.

What is the team composition?

We have a main point of contact. She organizes everything on their side.

How did you come to work with 3Step?

We worked with them at a previous organization. We were happy with the collaboration and chose to work with them again.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $50,000 on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from August to November 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We’re very happy with the look of the app and website. We're able to track data with Google Analytics and the CMS panel, which has a list of all the quests and the people who have participated and completed each game. There's also a ranking page where they can view their score and compare results with other people.

How did 3Step perform from a project management standpoint?

Our contact person was responsible for project management. We used email and phone calls to communicate, though we also met with her several times during the project to discuss issues. They really listened to us, and if we wanted to make changes during the project, they were flexible and willing to do it for us. I’m really happy with them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They listen to the client and are flexible. Nothing is impossible for them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Sometimes, they delivered a day later than what they promised, but it wasn’t a big problem.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You really need to know what you want to do. It’s always more complicated to make changes mid-project than knowing what you want from the beginning.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Arteria Association is an NGO that works with minorities at various levels, introducing them to and educating them about discrimination. We tackle new media, art, and history, usually using devices. Our projects empower people to create comic books, and children from underdeveloped areas to film movies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 3Step?

The first phase was creating an audio guide for a shipyard using the voices of female workers. Although that shipyard is symbolic to our city, no one knew its story. No one knew that many of its female workers were cast away. The women’s rights movement was embedded in the strikes, but its history was later erased. Our goal was to generate local pride using female voices.

We worked with female citizens employed there, gathering their interviews and creating an audio guide and app with their voices and stories. I was responsible for creating the mockups and developing the vision behind the app.

The project not only showcased the stories of shipyard workers, but also showed senior citizens how to use tactile devices like smartphones. We checked to see if they liked the app. It wasn’t just aimed at people who were interested in the shipyard; it was also a tribute to senior citizens.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We gave them our basic idea, a list of requirements, and content. We described the mechanics of the app, including geolocation and other features. E3Step handled everything else, including UI/UX design. Our content emerged from four years of research. We were the topical experts. We had the photos, but the visual planning was their responsibility.

I worked with their graphic designer. Even though we worked remotely, they were sensitive to our feedback and constantly tweaked the work. They premade app components, which reduced the cost, but also tweaked the features based on our usage.

My main concern was whether the app could be used in a manner other than visually—such as through voice commands—to make it accessible to impaired people. That was one of the changes that 3Step made. They adjusted the app so it could be used with Google TalkBack on Android. The app was also available on iOS.

We had a very tight budget, and iOS wasn't popular in Poland. Android made up 78% of the market. Some people used a Windows Phone, but they only made up 6–7% of the market. Since most of our users were on Android, we decided to build the app for that platform. At the end of the project, we obtained a specific amount of money and asked 3Step if they would create an iOS version. They agreed. I was responsible only for Android testing, while my boss handled iOS.

What is the team composition?

I was responsible for all new media, including inquiry, testing, and coordination with teachers and other resources. I led communicated with 3Step. Five of their people were involved, including two developers and one project manager. If we had an issue, I could directly contact either the project manager or the developers.

How did you come to work with 3Step?

We announced that we needed programmers, and they found us. We couldn’t choose based on quality of work or other factors. We could only agree on the price, but we’re happy to have chosen 3Step. Their offerings were flexible, and communication flowed well. We received other offers, but the communication was not as pleasant, even at the beginning. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent 30,000 Poland zloty (approximately $8,000 USD) on their work. We received a large grant and wrote an inquiry with our full vision. Under Polish law, it's mandatory that you choose the cheapest provider when working with a grant.

3Step was the cheapest option, but they were in Krakow and we were in Gdansk. We were concerned about the distance, but it worked out perfectly. If the law had been different, we would've still worked with them. We would’ve been unhappy if another candidate offered a lower price.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in 2015, and we started working with 3Step in August 2015. The app launched on International Women's Day, on March 8, 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The final app looks very much like the first draft. Their design was attractive, clean, and easy to use. We were amazed when we saw the first mockup they made.

We received around 15 user comments. That isn’t a lot, but the app had 200–300 active users at its peak. There are much fewer now since we don’t have any financing to improve the app and its content.

How did 3Step perform from a project management standpoint?

There was a 12-hour drive between our locations, so we were basically in opposite ends of the country. A direct train takes seven hours to reach the destination, so it’s not that bad. We met each other once when I travelled to their location in Krakow.

Otherwise, the collaboration was perfect. When we asked for something, they answered either the same day or the day after, even though our agreement stated that they had seven days to answer any message. We mainly communicated through the official project email. The designated person from their end called us to discuss more problematic items.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They brought clear, good ideas about usability and constantly improved the app. They knew how to develop our app and market it to people who would be interested.

Women’s issues is a sensitive topic in Poland, and “feminist” is considered one of the worst things you can call a woman. Our project was about women’s history and rights, so it was relevant to both senior citizens and the younger generation. We’ve worked with other IT companies before. Compared to those, we had no issues with 3Step; they were empathetic to our cause, they were open to our ideas, and we didn’t have to discuss our ideological framework.

Our communication was mostly focused on how the product should work, especially in terms of accessibility. This was a new area for them, but they never hesitated to meet our requirements.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Moving to Gdansk would allow us to work more intensely together. That's the only improvement I can think of. We worked well with their developers, and the communication was clear. I'd love for them to see the shipyard the way we do; they did a great job.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Look at existing products to identify which improvements and capabilities they can bring to your project. In our case, it was accessibility.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a board member of a website that supports residents of various cities and regions in activities for local development. We help them discover what is unique in their environment like culture, nature, traditions, architecture, history, etc. so that the local heritage will become an impulse for local development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire 3Step?

3Step designed our iOS and Android apps plus webpage for the project.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted an experienced developer to assist us in promoting the Bieszczady region.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We wanted to hire a developer with a portfolio containing experience of at least 10 tourist apps. They have more than 50 tourist apps featured on their portfolio so we decided to go with them for the project.

Describe the project in detail.

Treasures of Highlanders is an application where you will experience great adventures during the treasure hunt, presenting the culture of eight groups of lesser-known areas in Poland. In the app, there are photos, videos, texts, recordings and other information about highland heritage. In total, there will be 50 unmarked hiking and cycling routes that are traversed, reading verse tips and solving puzzles that lead to the treasure. The content of the quests is about the highland traditions. Some of the routes are adapted for people with disabilities.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of iOS, Android and backend developers, in addition to the project manager and QA specialist. All of the graphics were designed by their in-house UI expert.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Cooperation with 3Step is a very positive experience for us. They are very dedicated to the project and very flexible in taking our wishes into consideration. We strongly recommend 3Step.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project manager provided support whenever we needed it. They stuck to all the set deadlines and overall communication was excellent.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are very responsive and professional. Their work was of the highest quality and they delivered the project on time. They listened to our suggestions and fixed any errors we had.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There is nothing we can think of that they can improve. We are very pleased with the results.