Valere

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Death & Co / Gin & Luck

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Death & Co is an iconic cocktail brand that sets the standard for craft cocktail culture through our bars, educational content, books, and now digital experiences.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Valere to accomplish?

• We wanted to build an AI-powered bartender chatbot
• Provide conversational access to our 2,000+ cocktail recipe database
• Deliver personalized recommendations based on user preferences and available ingredients
• Capture customer data for marketing and engagement

SOLUTION

How did you find Valere?

Referral

Why did you select Valere over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Valere were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Valere developed a Proof of Concept AI bartender chatbot using React and Python with a RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) framework. Key deliverables included:

• Single-page web application with conversational chat interface
• AI personality fine-tuned to match Death & Co's bartender voice from our books
• Integration with our 2,000+ recipe database with intelligent retrieval
• User authentication system requiring email/phone after three initial queries
• Conversation history tracking (7-day retention)
• Guardrails ensuring cocktail-focused conversations with appropriate redirects
• Ingredient substitution recommendations
• Capability to generate new recipes based on six fundamental cocktail frameworks (last resort only)
• Staging environment deployment ready for production launch
• Technical documentation and handoff materials

The project involved extensive prompt engineering, output refinement, and testing to achieve brand alignment and appropriate AI behavior.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• 90% accuracy rate: The chatbot provides correct, relevant responses from source materials 90% of the time
• Additional 5-7%: Minor tweaks needed but fundamentally correct responses
• 3-5% edge cases: Incorrect responses, usually due to conversation context issues—areas we're continuing to refine
• Staging build deployed: Fully functional application tested with real users
• Production-ready: Foundation built for public launch and future feature expansion
• Brand voice achieved: AI personality successfully mirrors Death & Co's professional bartender style
• User data capture: Email/phone collection system integrated for marketing funnel

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Valere delivered on the core timeline, but the iterative nature of getting the GenAI outputs right meant we continued refining well into the project. They were responsive when we raised concerns and willing to do extra cycles of testing and prompt tuning. However, as non-technical clients, we would have benefited from more proactive status updates and clearer milestone communication. They responded well to our needs when we pushed, but we had to drive that process more than we expected. That said, they never rushed us to accept something we weren't satisfied with.

What was your primary form of communication with Valere?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Valere's willingness to iterate until we were satisfied was genuinely impressive. GenAI projects are inherently subjective—getting an AI to "sound right" and behave appropriately requires patience and lots of testing. They could have locked us into a fixed scope and walked away after the initial delivery, but instead they put in the extra effort to refine prompts, adjust guardrails, and test edge cases until we had something that truly represented our brand. Their technical team also did a great job explaining AI concepts in plain language, which helped us make informed decisions without getting lost in jargon.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Valere could have done differently?

As a client, we sometimes felt we had to drive the project timeline and flag issues rather than having them anticipated. More proactive project management would have been helpful—specifically, clearer milestone check-ins and earlier identification of potential roadblocks. There were moments where we needed to push for updates rather than receiving them automatically. For a GenAI project with inherent uncertainties, having someone proactively managing expectations and communicating progress would have reduced our stress.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Project Manager of a marketing company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Marketing for live events

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Valere to accomplish?

• Redesign and versioning of existing product
• Technical consultanting

SOLUTION

How did you find Valere?

Online Search

Why did you select Valere over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget

How many teammates from Valere were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The project involves the technical development and strategic deployment of Crowd MVP, a modular, data-driven event discovery and social engagement platform designed to serve urban nightlife communities. Built for scale, interoperability, and user growth, the MVP architecture prioritizes personalization, recommendation intelligence, and real-time interaction.

Core Platform Scope

 1. Back-End Architecture (MongoDB + Node.js):

Development of a robust, event-driven backend using MongoDB aggregation pipelines and Node.js Express services. The system supports CRUD operations for users, events, and engagement data, with schema optimization for high-frequency querying.

 2. Trending Events Algorithm v1.0:

Implementation of a weighted scoring model to rank events dynamically using variables.

 3. User Behavior Tracking Layer:

Lightweight tracking system storing attendance, clickstreams, and discovery interactions to improve future recommendation accuracy and segment user types (hosts, fans, explorers).

 4. Modular Front-End Component System:

Responsive mobile-first React/Next.js interface (or compatible stack) with reusable components for event cards, recommendation feeds, profile badges, RSVP workflows, and live activity status.

 5. API & Third-Party Integrations:

RESTful and webhook-ready API structure, with integrations planned for:

 • SMS (Twilio or equivalent)

 • Stripe or ticketing provider

 • Image hosting/CDN layer

 • Push notifications (Firebase Cloud Messaging or similar)

 6. Admin & Host Dashboards:

CMS tools for moderators and hosts to create events, monitor engagement, and flag/report issues. Built with role-based access control and analytics-ready export features.

 7. Data Operations & Scalability Strategy:

Includes data indexing strategies, event de-duplication protocols, and cache-ready endpoints to handle high traffic loads and search functionality. Future readiness for GraphQL transition is architected into backend abstraction layers.

 8. Deployment & DevOps:

MVP will be deployed in a containerized cloud environment (Docker + DigitalOcean or AWS ECS). CI/CD setup with GitHub Actions and readiness for horizontal scaling.

 9. Technical Documentation Package:

Full stack documentation for developers and partner engineers including:

 • Endpoint references

 • DB schema maps

 • Change logs

 • Infrastructure diagrams

 • API auth protocol walkthrough

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Weekly deliverables and meets and constant communication of understanding. There team is not afraid to push back or clarify anything which helps refine their understanding from different perspectives. This in our belief has allowed for a great product to be built from the inside out because there is deep common understanding of function and purpose

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes they deliver everything on time given we provide the information they need. They have a PM for specific design functions and a team behind that. So for design maybe a ui pm and a web pm for dev a pm for that for client management a pm for that and the PMs talk or deliberate after meeting with the client to ensure the different systems are aligned and given proper focus

What was your primary form of communication with Valere?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I like how diverse the staff is from different countries while still maintaining clear communication in English and a high level of professionalism. It makes me feel like a there is a good blend of perspective to solve any problems that may arise. It also give validation that people from all over the world see something in our product that they like - assuming they were giving honest feedback 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Valere could have done differently?

Given there breadth of experience they could probably offer general business consulting services to improve their clients internal structure as an add on. We had issues with account credentials and sharing. Not a big deal for my company but there are tools that they probably are aware of with other clients that we could use to make things smoother. Our relationship with Valere is good, so if something is off we address it directly and they respond in kind. There was an issue with the communication cadence early in the project but we found a rhythm that works so it's all good.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the COO of DNA for Insta

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

DNA for Insta is the ultimate matchmaking platform for artists and creators, designed to amplify music and monetize influence.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Valere to accomplish?

• Flutter App Development
• Product Design & UX/UI

SOLUTION

How did you find Valere?

Upwork

Why did you select Valere over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Valere were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Flutter App Development
Re-coding our existing Flutter app: including work with Meta API and existing backend framework.

Updating and normalizing app design for cohesive aesthetics: including design improvements.

Adjusting application to accommodation for authentication updates.

Web Design & UX/UI Updates

Fully redesigned web component of the product: including campaign creation & management flows. 

Modified and updated screens for improved overall functionality and appearance 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Mobile Application

• Testflight & .apk file submissions

Web Design 

• Figma file delivery and prototype reviews

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Valere's project management was excellent. They worked extremely smoothly with our existing team. Delivery was on time, and they responded to our needs, development requirements, and adjustment requests with ease. 

What was your primary form of communication with Valere?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their communication with our team and their dedication to fully understanding both the larger and smaller components of the product and its functionality. Specifically, the design team's work on our web application re-design was a refreshing and beautiful update to our product. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Valere could have done differently?

A few more prototype reviews could be a helpful addition to the work cycle. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of My Faith Will Inc

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We provide an easy, secure, and guided way for individuals to create a legally valid will online while supporting charitable giving and leaving a lasting legacy.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Valere to accomplish?

• Create an application for our vision/idea
• Build and modify
• Create a second version for greater reach

SOLUTION

How did you find Valere?

Referral

Why did you select Valere over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Valere were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Valere was responsible for the full development and implementation of MyCatholicWill.com and MyLegacyWill.com, transforming the vision into a seamless, user-friendly online will creation platform. Their scope of work included product design, front-end and back-end development, integrations with key third-party services, security enhancements, and ongoing maintenance.

Key Deliverables:
Custom Will Creation Workflow – Developed an intuitive, step-by-step process allowing users to easily generate a legally valid will, ensuring compliance with estate planning best practices.
User-Friendly Interface & Experience (UI/UX) – Designed a clean, simple, and faith-aligned experience tailored to engage users and encourage legacy giving.
Secure Document Generation & Storage – Implemented a robust system for generating, formatting, and securely storing user wills in PDF format.
Donation & Charitable Giving Integration – Built seamless options for users to allocate a portion of their estate to Catholic charities and other nonprofit organizations.
CRM & Email Automation Integration – Connected the platform with CRM systems to facilitate communication, nurture leads, and provide reminders for incomplete wills.
Multi-Site Architecture – Developed both MyCatholicWill.com and MyLegacyWill.com, ensuring scalability and adaptability across different brands and audiences.
Ongoing Support & Maintenance – Provided continuous updates, bug fixes, and performance optimizations to enhance security and user experience.

Valere’s work ensured that both platforms delivered a reliable, mission-driven solution for will creation while maximizing impact for charitable giving.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The collaboration with Valere resulted in several measurable outcomes that demonstrate the success of MyCatholicWill.com and MyLegacyWill.com:

Key Measurable Outcomes:

Total Future Bequests Committed: 

Over $275 million committed in future bequests to charitable organizations through wills created on the platform.

Number of Wills Created:

Thousands of legally valid wills successfully completed by users, ensuring more individuals have proper estate plans in place.

User Engagement & Completion Rate:

High user engagement and completion rates, with many users successfully finishing the will creation process after starting.

Charitable Giving Impact:

A significant percentage of users included charitable gifts in their wills, reinforcing the platform’s mission of legacy giving.

Website Performance & Reliability:

Secure, high-performing platform with minimal downtime and strong security protocols to protect sensitive user data.

CRM & Email Automation Success:

Effective lead nurturing through automated follow-ups and reminders, leading to an increase in will completion rates.

Expansion & Scalability:

Successful launch of MyLegacyWill.com as an additional platform to reach a broader audience, demonstrating the scalability of the technology.

These measurable results highlight how Valere.io’s work contributed to making MyCatholicWill.com and MyLegacyWill.com impactful, mission-driven platforms that simplify will creation and encourage

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Valere demonstrated strong project management skills, effectively balancing technical development with responsiveness to our needs. They followed a structured development process, incorporating agile methodologies to ensure steady progress and flexibility in addressing feedback.

Delivery & Timeliness:
Most key deliverables were completed on time, though some features required additional iterations to align with our vision. They maintained clear timelines and milestones, ensuring transparency throughout the project. When delays occurred, they were proactive in communicating challenges and worked efficiently to resolve them.

Responsiveness & Communication:
Valere.io was highly responsive to our feedback, showing a strong willingness to adapt and refine features as needed. They provided regular updates and check-ins, ensuring we were always informed on progress. When we identified areas needing improvement, they were quick to iterate and improve without hesitation.

Overall Assessment:
Their project management approach was structured yet flexible, allowing them to deliver a high-quality product while accommodating our specific needs. While some refinements required additional collaboration, their commitment to excellence and open communication made the partnership productive and successful.

What was your primary form of communication with Valere?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What stood out most about Valere.io was their ability to translate a complex vision into a seamless, user-friendly platform while maintaining a strong commitment to mission-driven work. Their blend of technical expertise, adaptability, and genuine dedication to our goals set them apart.

Most Impressive Aspects:

Mission Alignment: They didn’t just build software—they understood the heart of our mission and crafted a platform that encourages legacy giving in a meaningful way.

User-Centered Design: Their focus on making will creation simple and engaging ensured a smooth experience for users of all backgrounds.

Responsiveness & Collaboration: They listened, adapted, and refined based on our feedback, ensuring the final product truly met our needs.

Commitment to Quality: They didn’t cut corners—every feature was carefully designed and executed to create a secure, scalable, and high-performing platform.

Overall, Valere wasn’t just a development vendor—they were a true partner in bringing MyCatholicWill.com and MyLegacyWill.com to life, making a lasting impact on charitable giving and estate planning.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Valere could have done differently?

While Valere delivered a high-quality platform and was a strong development partner, there were a few areas where improvement could enhance future collaborations:

Areas for Improvement:

More Proactive Problem-Solving:

At times, certain features required additional iterations to align with our vision. A more proactive approach in anticipating potential roadblocks could have streamlined the process.

Faster Turnaround on Refinements:

While the core development was timely, some adjustments and refinements took longer than expected. A more agile response to these changes would improve efficiency.

Enhanced Clarity on Technical Trade-Offs:

Providing more upfront discussions on possible limitations, trade-offs, and alternative solutions could have helped us make more informed decisions earlier in the process.

Despite these minor areas for improvement, Valere’s commitment to quality, responsiveness, and willingness to refine the platform ultimately led to a successful outcome. Strengthening these aspects would make their already strong services even better for future projects.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Engineering Manager of Caylent

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

AWS Consulting Services

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Valere to accomplish?

• User interface design
• User experience design

SOLUTION

How did you find Valere?

ongoing relationship

Why did you select Valere over others?

• Company values aligned
• ongoing relationship

How many teammates from Valere were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

• Application style guide 
  • Review and design cohesive style guide for entire application
  • Iconography
  • Fonts
  • Colors
  • Design user experience elements from Client existing Jira opportunities for design updates for application ecosystem
• Ongoing Services 
  • UI/UX wireframes, mockups, and user flows
  • Review of the existing application UI/UX to understand features and flow
  • Capture any modifications needed to the desired frontend design
  • Design UI wireframes for screens in the application
  • Design UX diagrams to describe transitions between UI elements for task-based flows
  • Design UI and UX for additional application areas

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• A consistent style guide for the enterprise application being developed
• Custom designs implemented across the application

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The team is very responsive, attending multiple meetings each day and responding to Teams messages in a timely fashion.  

Designs were completed on time.  The team was very agile, handling changing priorities and changing scope with grace and good humor. 

What was your primary form of communication with Valere?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their designs and response times are great. However, what is most impressive is the designer's understanding of the need to roll out the design changes over time.  It was never, "we need to do everything now", instead the designer was consistently able to create a sane roadmap for integrating the updates into the ongoing development work.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Valere could have done differently?

Our initial interactions were a little rocky, but once we settled on our current designer the process has been very smooth and I have no complaints.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an Executive of Roomy App

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We connect classroom parents through our app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Valere to accomplish?

• Discovery
• UX/UI

SOLUTION

How did you find Valere?

• Referral
• upwork

Why did you select Valere over others?

• High ratings
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Valere were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Our first goal was to finalise a full discovery including a business requirement document, research, versioning plan, user flows, Low fidelity wireframes, prioritized features, sitemap and information architecture, as well as estimates for the development. After a succesful first milestone we set out to finalize the UX/UI which included UI Benchmark, validation, UI Kit and UI design. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The deliverables were clear and the steps to get there as well. We had close communication and we validated the work as every step was finalized. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

All milestones were delivered on time and any concerns that we had was taken seriously and discussed.

What was your primary form of communication with Valere?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We like to be involved in every step and we felt like that was welcomed and all of our thoughts and ideas were talked about and incorporated by Valere.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Valere could have done differently?

Being a global company with remote workers we feel like the language at times became a curb but nothing that couldnt be figured out.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of Wxlfpack Digital

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Wxlfpack Digital is an innovative platform powered by AI, enabling users to effortlessly create captivating graphic layouts for presentations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Valere to accomplish?

• Valere effectively took us from concept to launch as we collaborated with them to construct an AI-based website that streamlines user interaction through personalized experiences.

SOLUTION

How did you find Valere?

Online Search

Why did you select Valere over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Valere were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The scope of work for WXLFPACK Digital involved developing an AI-powered platform for generating graphic layouts. This included website design, AI integration, content creation, user support, and maintenance. Key deliverables include a fully functional website, and ongoing platform improvements.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our site has not launched yet, we are still fine tuning.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The project management for WXLFPACK Digital was exceptional. Deliverables were consistently met on time, and responsiveness to our needs was fantastic. Communication was clear, and any issues were promptly addressed, ensuring a smooth and successful project execution.

What was your primary form of communication with Valere?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The team consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to work fast and efficiently. Additionally, Valere's dedication to fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement really stood out. I felt very comfortable with sharing feedback , asking questions, and voicing any concerns.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Valere could have done differently?

N/A

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of GYPO LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Outfit Formulas provides easy daily outfit inspiration for members. It's like meal planning but for your closet.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Valere to accomplish?

• MVP of our Outfit Formulas App

SOLUTION

How did you find Valere?

Upwork

Why did you select Valere over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Company values aligned

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We engaged with Valere last fall to start over on our mobile app development project. Our first developers didn't get the vision for the app. We decided to go with a fast track design and discovery to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible on our MVP. V1 was delivered and out to our customers on 1/15/24. We currently have nearly 1,500 users in the app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Completed MVP with prescribed functionality. 
• Daily outfit calendar, outfit of the day, shopping recommendations.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes, they were very responsive to every request. We did push out release by a week but other than that, everything ran according to schedule.

What was your primary form of communication with Valere?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their vision was impressive; they brought ideas to the table that we hadn't even thought of. I'm excited to work on V2 of our app with them as this will be the fun part where we get to incorporate more bells/whistles and our user feedback into the design and functionality.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Valere could have done differently?

Better transparency in pricing. There were a few invoices that surprised me in the beginning.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Founder of a hospitality & leisure company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are on-demand travel platform that leverages AI, machine learning, and traveler preferences to generate customizable itineraries and match traveler needs with an array of activities, attractions, and provider solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Valere to accomplish?

• Discovery for mobile app development and feature prioritization

SOLUTION

How did you find Valere?

Online Search

Why did you select Valere over others?

• High ratings
• Company values aligned
• Responsiveness and professionalism

How many teammates from Valere were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The discovery phase for this project included the development of a business requirements document, feature prioritization, site map creation, and low-fidelity wireframes for an MVP build. The team conducted additional market research and competitive analysis.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Regular project milestones and deliverables, such as the feature prioritization document, site maps, low fidelity wireframes, and market research.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The project management was excellent! The team was collaborative, patient, and committed to delivering results in a timely and responsive manner.

What was your primary form of communication with Valere?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Valere is client-focused and committed to a positive collaboration experience. The team is equally invested in the success of your project, with leaders actively available for discussions and maintaining open, transparent communication.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Valere could have done differently?

The team was extremely receptive to my ideas; however, I would have benefited from the team challenging me to recommend a more realistic scope for the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) as opposed to accommodating every request I wanted, which at times was too ambitious!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy was established in 1987 as one of CDC’s ten “centers of excellence in injury research”. The Center is based in the Department of Health, Policy and Management in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. We are dedicated to high quality research that informs the development of programs and policies that decrease the burden of injuries both nationally and internationally.

Our mission is to close the gap between injury research and practice to reduce and prevent the fires, poisonings, drowning, car crashes, domestic violence and other causes of injury that kill, disable, and inflict pain in alarming numbers. Elise Omaki, MHS, is a Senior Research Associate and a core faculty member with over ten years’ experience conducting injury prevention research and practice including work on child passenger safety, home safety, prescription drug overdose, and violence prevention.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Valere Labs, and what were your goals?

Safety in Seconds is a smartphone app developed by Center faculty to deliver tailored injury prevention education to users about child passenger safety and home fire safety. The program was tested in clinical-trial and found to improve safety behaviors among parents of young children. Our team sought a developer to help add a new module to the app on pediatric fall prevention. The module asks a series of questions and provides eductional content tailored to the user based on a complex algorithm.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

In the process of seeking bids for this work, Valere Labs was one of the few vendors that reviewed the source code in order to offer a customized and detailed work plan. They offered a clear explanation about what was needed to achieve our goals, took time to answer countless questions and were patient as I sought various approvals from my team members.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Valere Labs ended up doing a full redesign of our app to offer a full content management system that wasn't previously available. The work included planning out a new UX/UI, particularly for the content management system, creating question & message banks, adding capacity for conditionals and piping, and allowing custom logic for producing tailored reports.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked with a UX/UI designer to layout the program, two developers who produced the app, and a project manager who kept everything moving.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

My team was very pleased with the outcome and we plan to continue working with Valere Labs to maintain and expand the project.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

I appreciated having mulitple people involved in the project, each with their own expertise and roles. Everyone was patient, allowed me to ask questions and had excellent follow through. The group was committed to making sure I had a product that fit my needs and was within budget and communicated what I should expect thoughout the process.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Valere Labs was very good at communicating and helping find a shared language to describe the specific needs of my academic research team to the developers executing the project.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

None that come to mind!