Created a Mobile App for Ukraine’s Grocery Store Leader: Novus Case Study
- Discovery Phase
- Product Development
- UI/UX Design
- Mobile App Development
- Kotlin
- Android jetpack
- Clean architecture
- Multi modular
- Swift
- MVVM-C
- SnapKit
- MVVM
NOVUS BY THE NUMBERS
Novus is a European chain of grocery stores that is dynamically developing
and focused on high standards of work quality and customer service.
About the client & the story behind them
Being a dominant player in the Ukrainian grocery market, the company had difficulty keeping up with the growing demand from app users and the continued trend of e-commerce app development. They have always aimed to make shopping fun by providing a wide range of excellent products, excellent services, and knowledgeable staff. This ecosystem lacked convenient mobile apps because the earlier iterations of the apps did not meet expectations.
The preceding contractor was unable to execute the tasks assigned to them, the business function was not carried out because the app was not launched to the market. The customer wanted to develop a new app from scratch since it would be more reasonable than trying to redesign the previous raw project.
The customer also wanted to develop a delivery ecosystem for both the iOS and Android platforms that was safe, effective, and of the highest grade. This was important to them since it would increase customer loyalty and attract new clients, increasing sales and profits. Novus had intentions for creating an entire, cutting-edge environment for every user, from the initial purchase to full-service support.
Request to Devlight
The company was well aware of the value of partnering with a trustworthy organization after having an inconvenient previous experience with another vendor. After receiving personal recommendations from some of their partners, Novus chose Devlight. The business also looked at our portfolio, demonstrating that we have the required expertise and experience in developing mobile e-commerce applications. All parties felt confident to start cooperating because Devlight’s suggested project discovery and flow method was exactly what Novus required.
The company’s main need was launching iOS and Android food delivery applications with top-notch design, innovative features, and pleasant navigation. In order to maintain and scale app functionality for both iOS and Android platforms, it was also important to solve codebase issues.
As a result, Novus started having conversations with Devlight, which eventually brought us to the Discovery stage. The two teams were confident in their abilities and thought that working together would produce fruitful outcomes. We initially set out to create a fully functional application with a straightforward yet user-friendly interface that meets the most fundamental requirements and launch it in December 2023.
Thus, Novus decided to work on the application to cover the need for a better user experience and tackle the market requirement to provide quality delivery services. Looking back, both parties can affirm that it was a successful cooperation.
Challenges and Limitations
The main challenge was creating an app fast from scratch since the company had an unpleasant experience cooperating with the development vendor in the past and lost some time initially devoted to the workflow. It meant we had to quickly take over the project and help Novus meet its perfect deadline.
Our major goal was to bring maximum value to the MVP, not just develop an app for the sake of the app. Devlight wanted users to actively browse and enjoy the new Novus app to see the weak points in UX and UI realization and solve them later. The challenge was to get the audience acquainted with the initial MVP to prepare them for a full-fledged e-commerce app when new features would be added.
Constant communication with the backend and constant support with the mobile app were the challenges we had to tackle. For this we had to provide constant feedback and timely acceptance of the implemented functionality.
How we did it — solutions, approach, methodology
We were responsible fully for the Discovery phase to gather all the initial requirements for the future MVP. Novus held a few initial meetings to describe their goals and key functionality for the first release.
We started by discussing a clear backlog and defining features. After that, we went through each feature and described it in detail, we analyzed the web and, after that, formed questions that were agreed upon with the client and finalized the functional description.
Based on the requirements, we moved on to drawing a black-and-white prototype. Sessions, showing demos, etc.
After the B&W prototype, our BA prepared API documentation because Novus did not have a structured backend. The client’s team then built it according to our requirements. We created a list of requests and handed them over for implementation. The project’s API documentation was created within Postman, featuring requests and illustrative examples of those requests.
On the basis of 3 artifacts, the TOR was formed for the development of the MVP version of the mobile application. Based on the TOR, an estimate was formed for designing and developing a mobile application for iOS and Android.
Design Phase
During the design stage, our primary objective was to bring the project to life by adding color, imagery, and a user interface that would resonate with the client’s target audience. To achieve this, we began by building upon the foundational work of our black-and-white prototype, which served as the canvas upon which we would paint the visual identity of the application.
We also delved into the client’s brand book, which provided us with valuable insights into their established brand guidelines. This enabled us to incorporate essential brand elements such as logos, color schemes, typography, and other visual components to ensure a seamless integration of the new application into their existing brand ecosystem.
A crucial part of the Design Phase was the creation of a comprehensive UI concept. This concept encompassed the arrangement of user interface elements, the flow of the user experience, and the visual design that would make the application not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. We paid special attention to user-friendly navigation, clear and engaging visuals, and the overall aesthetics that would resonate with the client’s target demographic.
Furthermore, we put a strong emphasis on unifying the design through the establishment of a Design System. The Design System played a pivotal role in maintaining consistency throughout the project. It consisted of a detailed UI Kit, which provided a library of standardized design elements such as buttons, icons, and interface components. This ensured that every screen and interaction within the application adhered to a coherent and cohesive visual language.
In addition to the UI Kit, we developed a comprehensive Style Guide. This document served as a reference point for all design decisions and outlined the specific usage of the client’s branding elements within the application. It covered everything from color palettes and typography choices to spacing guidelines and best practices for maintaining brand identity. The Style Guide was instrumental in guaranteeing that the application not only met the client’s functional requirements but also remained true to the core essence of their brand.
In summary, the Design Phase was a critical step in transforming the initial concept into a tangible and visually captivating application. Through a combination of creativity, adherence to brand guidelines, and the establishment of a robust Design System, we ensured that the final product not only met the client’s functional needs but also exceeded their visual and brand identity expectations.
Development Phase
After the design’s approval, the development phase commenced with a series of meticulously planned steps. This stage marks a critical transition from the conceptualization and visual design to the actual construction of the application.
In the development phase, our highly skilled and dedicated team of developers, programmers, and engineers came together to bring the app to life. It began with the selection of the appropriate technology stack, considering factors like the platform, programming languages, and frameworks that would best suit the project’s requirements.
Detailed coding and programming work began in parallel with the creation of a robust database architecture to store and manage data efficiently. The developers carefully translated the design concepts into functional code, ensuring that every feature and element aligned with the project’s objectives.
Testing
Product testing was carried out in iterations throughout the whole development process. The method we chose was regression testing — a sort of testing used in the software development life cycle to check for unintended breaks after each change. Regression testing solves a problem that developers frequently encounter — the reappearance of previous bugs after implementing fresh modifications. Identifying which modification caused a bug is challenging if a project does not use tight version control systems. Therefore, including strong regression testing is a good idea to prevent massive bug fixes.
The testing results were backed up with the iterative testing carried out by the Devlight team. The synthesis of all accessible data was used to monitor upcoming project requirements, control test coverage, and quantify testing efforts. From there, an effective holistic assessment was produced by combining static analysis, dynamic analysis, and penetration testing to uncover vulnerabilities that would be missed if the approaches were not used effectively in conjunction. The results of security testing were described in the product safety report.
Finally, real users had the chance to test a product in a real-world setting before it was released to the public to find any defects or problems. This was the last round of testing before making a product widely available, that is, releasing it to the market.
Product Release
Our release was the culmination of all the cross-functional work done by internal teams to bring the product to market and support every consumer interaction related to it. Publication of the application in marketplaces covered the actual day of release as well as the ensuing marketing initiatives to feed the public interest over the next weeks. Data on the product and marketing were gathered during this period to be used to assess the launch’s performance eventually.
As the product moved from the “launch” stage into the “growth stage” of its life cycle, marketing activities eventually waned, and we focused on collecting and analyzing data. Product teams assessed whether KPIs and other objectives were accomplished as a result of the launch by comparing data gathered throughout the release window.
Numerous product metrics strongly emphasize quantity, such as how many users were added or how many items were purchased. We at Devlight also focus on measuring how well the users treat our message and goods by directly asking them for feedback. Additionally, during the product launch, customer service had substantial interactions with customers that we used to obtain particular knowledge of user problems. The issues that surfaced as a result of the development of support tickets or direct consumer inquiries always carry a high value.
Future Challenges
The available applications are the MVP versions of the product, which is aimed at improving the user experience of shopping at NOVUS. The closest scaling involves adding e-commerce features so that the user can order products at home, while not neglecting the high quality and service that Novus offers.
Novus puts a strong emphasis on ensuring that each ordered product looks as flawless at the customers’ homes as it does in the windows of our stores. After all, the reputation built up over the years and client trust are their priority.
KEY FEATURES AND VALUE
Final design
Here are some of the final design screens that we want to share with you.
Customer feedbacks
Thanks to Devlight, we’re ready to launch the app for end users. They delivered the project on time and to our expectations. Devlight also ensures excellent communication via email and demo and status meetings. Their expertise, meticulousness, and cooperation are commendable.
