Mobile applications are ruling, and artificial intelligence tools have simplified their design and development. But the point where this next-level technology fails is modification and security. It’s not safe and feasible to create a feature-rich Android or iOS application. And custom design takes time and needs a huge budget. But with the principle of 80/20, you can get better results within your budget. The Pareto Principle or the 80/20 rule is incredible, supporting all stakeholders like owners, developers, and businesses that want to focus on their competencies.
So! What does this rule suggest?
It clearly states that 80% of results can be achieved through 20% of efforts. It encourages developers to develop a small set of core features to drive most of a product’s value. With this idea, building a mobile application becomes superfast.
Why the 80/20 Rule Matters in Mobile Development
The success of mobile apps depends on their smooth, valuable, and relevant user experience. But this kind of experience seems unachievable because of unnecessary features, over-engineering, and long development durations.
The aforesaid golden rule of the Pareto eliminates limitations such as :
- Overloaded features
- Overwhelming cost of development
- Long development cycles
- Unadaptable features
- Fussy maintenance
- Uncontrollable technical debts
This rule is indeed crucial in the case of Android app development. It is simply because of variations in screen sizes and operating systems. It requires you to prioritize developing crucial features strategically.
Identifying the 20%: What Truly Drives Value
Let’s understand the most vital aspect of this rule, which goes by identifying the 20% features to create maximum value for users and businesses.
1. Understand User Needs Deeply
Before developing an app, make it clear what the target audience’s behaviour and expectations are. Research, analyze, and evaluate competitors to find out.
Answers to these questions will guide you to move to the next step:
- What’s the real motive for building this app?
- Which features can address users’ pain points
- Which features can achieve core business metrics like signups, sales, and engagement?
2. Map the User Journey
Identify the essential touchpoints.
Evaluating users’ journeys is crucial to identify their essential touchpoints. So, focus on it.
3. Separate Must-Haves from Nice-to-Haves
This is related to features or functions for your application. Decide which ones are core application functions and the ones that users may or may not like to be there initially.
These few things navigate challenges for saving app development time and money.
How the 80/20 Rule Saves Time in Mobile App Development
These tips will help you design smartly while saving precious hours.
1. Faster MVP Development
A Minimum Viable Product or MVP proves the worth of the 80/20 rule. According to it, you don’t have to launch a full app. Release a version first, which should have the essential 20% of features. This step will lead to
Its quicker launch
Drive real-time feedback
Discover early revenue possibilities
Reduce expenses and the risk of building unwanted features
2. Fewer Revisions and Rewrites
The clarity of goals ensures mobile app developers dedicate their energies to the core, but not on features that users barely use. This practice will eliminate rework.
3. Streamlined Development Cycles
As your developers pay more attention to the essential features, the project completes within predicted duration efficiently.
The saved time can be further spent on testing the Android app after development across device types. So, you save a significant amount of time this way.
How the 80/20 Rule Saves Money
Multiple benefits prove that the 80/20 rule actually saves your hard-earned money.
1. Lower Upfront Costs
When you focus on the 20% core features, it means creating only a few, yet crucial features and UI screens. It creates less backend fusses and complexity. Besides, you need a smaller quality analyst team and spend minimum time on design and maintenance. This approach saves significant development costs, especially when you adopt a lean and focused method like a mobile MVP approach, which emphasises core functionality first.
Many large enterprises are practicing this approach simply because it is an inexpensive deal that does not compromise the quality.
2. Better Resource Allocation
Now that the focus lies on features that attract maximum ROI, it’s easier to allocate resources wisely.
You don’t need to waste budget on evolving features that attract the least value. Simply emphasize developing critical components, which are performance, security, usability, and stability.
3. Reduced Post-Launch Fixes
When you’re more focused on core feature development, bugs will be minimal. The entire process of mobile application development becomes less complicated, which reduces technical debt.
As your attention lies in testing the most impactful features first, the cost of post-launch support automatically drops.
Practical Ways to Apply the 80/20 Rule in Mobile App Development
Now, let’s move ahead and discover some practical ways to implement this golden 80/20 rule for mobile application development.
1. Prioritize Features with a Value Matrix
You can set priorities to develop features according to the impact on revenue, user demand, development effort, and maintenance cost in the long run.
Simply put, this practice guides you to select the top 20% of features that pay off maximum value.
2. Build Iteratively
As you start with must-have features, decide them according to user behaviour and metrics. No guesswork will help you in this case.
3. Use Reusable Components
You should design systems and UI patterns that can be reused. Pre-built libraries and components speed up the entire development process.
4. Leverage Third-Party Integrations
Brainstorm and use some third-party integrations for obvious processes. Simply put, integrate payment gateways, chatbot, push notification app, and analytics SDKs from a reliable third-party.
This action will certainly save time and money.
5. Test with Real Users Early
Debugging is crucial. Instead of assuming, validate all features that matter to users and sales. Eliminating the rest of the non-crucial features can be a better idea.
Conclusion
The 80/20 rule is a proven hack to multiply productivity. It helps businesses to build smarter, faster, and more efficient mobile apps. Considering the rule in the context of mobile application development, it guides developers to prioritize users’ likelihoods instead of stakeholders’ desires. This revolutionary approach guides developers and businesses to avoid unnecessary challenges and invest mostly in what drives more engagement, online traffic, and long-term ROI.