GMI Group

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

I love the design work from their side and the mobile app technology; they’ve done a great job on both parts. They gave us options for the design but didn’t overwhelm us with too many choices. I provided initial branding and they were able to implement that as well.

We did go over budget, but, as the customer, I changed my mind and added a few things so I was alright with the overrun.

How did GMI Group perform from a project management standpoint?

This is one of their strong suits. They were extremely punctual to meetings to the point where they were always waiting for me to jump on the call. Additionally, when I identified bugs or gave them feedback on designs they addressed them quickly. Our communication was smooth.

On the business process side, they had a fantastic way to track developer hours. Anytime I wanted, I could pull up a Google Doc and see what they were working on. They also used Trello to great effect. I always knew what was going on and what they needed from me.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Thanks to their speed, I was able to see a testable UI in TestFlight almost one week after we started. That process was very smooth.

I also found them to be a very professional outfit. Even when we disagreed they maintained their professional manner so I was never concerned about sharing my opinion. If something was moving slower than I expected we were able to talk about it. This way, there were no surprised at our final MVP debrief — from their side or mine. We had a good working relationship.

Google approved our app with only one question, which we quickly addressed, but Apple took almost one month. They were being a bit frustrating with their questions and GMI gave me good advice on how to push back and fight and respond. Initially, I thought Apple was never going to accept the app but they worked with me to get Apple to relent.

Are there any areas they could improve?

My experience was that some developers were extremely strong and some were less so. I shared this feedback with GMI and they were attentive. They quickly switched out a new resource, which resolved the situation.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear about exactly what you, although it can be hard to pin that down. GMI did a good job of listing out how much each of our asks would cost to ensure we got an accurate estimate. Scope creep can be hard to avoid but that’s on the product owner, rather than the developer.

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

Increasing customer satisfaction - internal research

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The first discussions with the project contractor were aimed at determining the total scope of work. From the beginning, GMI was able to anticipate possible risks and interruptions. The design environment was adapted to our working mode and was simple enough for the product owner to meet his requirements and those of the development team. Thanks to the great attention to the quality of the code, the project was delivered on time and there were no internal complications associated with the product development. However, there were external complications (service providers), which GMI helped to solve with us.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Customer care The experience of the staff was at a very high level. Transparent rules of cooperation No unpleasant surprises, just pleasure. Willingness to help and availability

Are there any areas for improvement?

Rather not, the cooperation with GMI is clear and trouble-free

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Our new site is more SEO-compliant, which has resulted in higher organic traffic and leads. Furthermore, the site is easier for us to edit, so we don’t have to rely on our IT department to make content changes.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

They organized the work using a Scrum methodology with two-week sprints. Strong communication helped us work more effectively with each sprint, which allowed us to complete the project on time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Within the first few weeks, we established a harmonious collaboration between our teams and worked daily to complete the project. It didn’t feel like a typical client-contractor relationship; rather, we considered them partners. If we ever have the opportunity to work with GMI Group again, we’ll certainly use their services.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We should’ve focused on giving the development team a better understanding of the whole project. At times, some individuals were too focused on one functionality but didn’t consider the broader context, which occasionally led to some discrepancies. Fortunately, we had strong communication lines and quickly explained any deviations. They were then able to execute the project as specified.

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

The software was crucial for our startup, and without it, we didn't have a product. Their work was the most important thing for us at the time.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

They hired the product owner to oversee the project. As investors, we met regularly on demo days to hear about the current status of the project and used Assembla throughout.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their focus on the product and the strong input from their whole team impressed me. They had a lot of ideas about how to improve our product to fit the end users’ needs.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Communication, in the beginning, was a little bit difficult due to the quality of online meetings. We solved that problem by using Messenger.

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

This project was the first in our collaboration and after its success, we continued. They’re now working with me on a complex solution for logistics companies.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

It was ok. We used a dedicated Trello board, but at that time, they didn't have the support of a project manager. That meant it was sometimes challenging to keep up to date.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’re a very professional contractor with a great level of experience and a good sense of responsibility. They use the scrum method, which simplifies communication and work progress.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I would appreciate if the daily scrum calls weren’t so early.

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

The app was not commercially viable, but the IT side of the project was executed very professionally. GMI Group performed above my expectations and the collaboration was relatively effortless. They were helpful in producing an MVP that we could test with customers.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They were very effective in this regard. GMI Group used Trello, which made tasks visible for the team and me. All communication was done professionally and promptly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’re very keen on pleasing the customer, but they still act like true IT professionals with a great sense of what is doable at the moment and what would be best for a later version.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can't think of anything in terms of their technical skills.