Michigan Software Labs

When you’re trying to secure internal approval for your custom software project, we advocate for an iterative approach. Let exploration and learning guide the journey—ensuring you make appropriately sized bets instead of assuming guaranteed success. You might start with these key questions: ⚫ How does the project align with the company's core goals and strategy? ⚫ What essential tasks will this software allow users to accomplish? ⚫ How do the costs, timeline, and expected ROI compare to other initiatives? ⚫ What are the project’s risks, and how will they be mitigated? https://bit.ly/4etZcO8

Curious about how AI tools are evolving beyond chatbots? Join us at SoftwareGR's October Speaker Series event, hosted at Michigan Software Labs! Drew Colthorp of Atomic Object will explore the latest innovations in AI tooling and how these new products—like OpenAI’s ‘o1’ reasoning model and ChatGPT Canvas—are reshaping the way we communicate, code, and collaborate. 🗓️ Date: Tuesday, October 22 🕠 Networking & pizza: 5:30 PM 🎤 Talk: 6:00 PM https://lnkd.in/gAup57GP

Fall so far has brought MichiganLabs team members across the globe for professional development opportunities. Six developers attended Droidcon NYC to grow their Android expertise, while one of our designers and a delivery lead traveled to Denmark for UX Nordic. We’re always grateful when our project schedules allow us time to sharpen our skills and network with peers.

Have you ever faced this scenario? You have an idea for a meaningful custom software project—whether an internal solution or a market-facing application—but you simply can’t get internal buy-in and approval? We understand. When you plan for an innovative software product, securing internal approval is often the first hurdle. Stakeholders want to know: Is the project worth pursuing and is it the right solution? In his latest contribution to Fast Company, Mark Johnson outlines a simple, three-step framework for getting your software project approved. Dive into the article for more—or bookmark it for later. https://bit.ly/3XMftH1

Curious about how product-led growth (PLG) is transforming software development? Join us next week (Wed. Oct. 9 at 5pm) to connect with like-minded professionals and learn how companies are using their products to drive customer acquisition, expansion, and retention. Whether you're a developer, product manager, or just interested in innovative growth strategies, this discussion is for you! https://lnkd.in/gDTvqnci

How do you create a product that delivers value as quickly as possible? By creating a strategic roadmap that organizes features by priority—rather than trying to accomplish every possible feature. Here’s how we collaborate with our clients to ensure alignment, communication, and greater software development success. https://bit.ly/4e7OpJ4

It’s common to assume that a feature-rich software solution will automatically lead to higher user satisfaction. But adding more features doesn’t necessarily equate to more business value. We call this the ‘fallacy of more features.’ What’s a better way to approach software development? In our latest blog, we explain how value-based delivery helps us focus on creating the minimum number of features needed to achieve your business goals. This helps you prove the project’s success more quickly and have confidence that you’re building the right thing. https://bit.ly/4ckMnnk

When the MichiganLabs team gets an idea, we only know how to do it at 💯 percent. This morning, we hosted an early morning coffee shop, Debugger’s Brew ☕️, with handmade treats and our very own baristas! It was the perfect way to start a rainy fall morning. Jonathan Hamilton Jesse David Cameron Sprowls Jack Pfeiffer (Don’t worry MudPenny and Foxtail Coffee Co, we could never replace you!)

As you’re discovering the value of product roadmaps, you might find yourself thinking, I have no idea how to start outlining one. This graphic shows our process, but please know that when you work with Michigan Software Labs, we partner closely with you. We combine our expertise in crafting roadmaps with your deep understanding of your industry and organization. Together, we’ll tackle this process to ensure the roadmap is tailored to your needs. Read our full blog for more details: https://bit.ly/4fENjFL.

What a fantastic evening we had at MichiganLabs' annual Tech on the Deck event! Our community came together to connect, collaborate, and enjoy amazing food and drinks in the beautiful setting of our Ada office. Over 350 of you helped us make it a night to remember. Thank you to everyone who attended. We can't wait to see you all again next year! The Right Place, Inc. Mark Johnson Joshua Hulst