Deploy a poorly-tested, monster feature on launch day?

Question

I've been working on math support, so StudyWise can quiz you on your calculus or offer next steps for your geometry studies. It's a huge feature because math has to be integrated with our interactive capabilities.

And until yesterday, it didn't work at all.

I'm crazy, don't test me. I'll freakin' do it!

Gong Zijian · Accepted Answer

Deploying a poorly-tested, monster feature on launch day might seem bold, but it's a risky move that can lead to unforeseen issues and user dissatisfaction. It's often wiser to prioritize thorough testing and incremental updates to ensure stability and positive user feedback.

Nik Hazell · Answer

@sixbangs oh - you should have a look at Launch Darkly if you haven't already - it's *unreal*. Means I can flick things on and off, based on customer, domain, or other logic - in a few seconds!

Nik Hazell · Answer

Are you using feature flags or equivalent? We've used them for the last year or so - it's amazing knowing that you can generally push things to production and test them there...

Ted Schaefer · Answer

@jake_saul I'm definitely in the "early means EARLY" camp - but I am holding off on this until I can do a little more testing later today. It's pretty easy for us to undeploy if necessary, so that makes it a little easier to experiment.

Ted Schaefer · Answer

@nik_hazell definitely, it's a great product! i used it at a previous job 😄

Michael Shver · Answer

I'd better keep it for later. No need to risk it at the last moment! 😅

Jake · Answer

This is where I see much mixed opinion and I'm trying to find the right approach as well. The wisdom with launching MVP seems to be lauch as early as you can and iterate. I'm just not quite sure how literally to take the 'as early as you can' bit.

Perhaps the happy medium in your case would be to include a very clear 'test feature' or 'beta feature', to at least show the user you are aware it might not be working as it should.

Answer

this is just awesome!

Boris Markarian · Answer

Think twice! The first impression is very important!

Roman henry · Answer

Integrating robust math support into StudyWise is a significant advancement, particularly for subjects like calculus and geometry. Here are several points outlining the benefits and next steps to enhance this feature: 1. **Interactive Quizzes**: Incorporating interactive quizzes for calculus and geometry enhances learning by providing immediate feedback. This feature tests understanding and reinforces concepts crucial for mastery in these subjects. 2. **Adaptive Learning Paths**: Utilize the adaptive learning algorithms of StudyWise to tailor quizzes and learning materials based on the user’s performance. This helps in addressing individual weak areas and reinforces strengths, making learning more efficient and personalized. 3. **Geometry Drawing Tools**: For geometry, integrating interactive drawing tools to visualize problems and solutions directly in the app can be extremely beneficial. This visual aid helps in better understanding and retention of geometric concepts. 4. **Step-by-Step Solutions**: Offering step-by-step solutions in calculus can demystify complex problems and guide students through the process of finding solutions, thus enhancing their problem-solving skills. 5. **Integration with Curriculum**: Ensure that the math support aligns with commonly used curriculums and standards. This alignment guarantees that students are preparing in the most relevant and effective manner. 6. **Feedback Mechanism**: Incorporating a mechanism for users to give feedback on quizzes and explanations can help in continuously improving the content and interface of this feature. 7. **Community Interaction**: Facilitate community interactions within the app where users can discuss problems or share insights. This community aspect can significantly enrich the learning experience. 8. **Performance Tracking**: Implement features to track user performance over time. This data can be invaluable for students to understand their progress and for educators to adapt teaching strategies. By focusing on these aspects, StudyWise can significantly enhance its offering, making it not only a tool for exam preparation but also a comprehensive learning platform that adapts to the unique needs of each student. This makes the integration of robust math support a truly game-changing feature in educational technology. beach buggy shortcuts

Answer

@sixbangs

WE NEED MORE FEATURES!

Ted Schaefer · Answer

@nik_hazell Nope, not at the moment, but we're using Vercel so it's really easy to select an older deployment if we need to.

Deploy a poorly-tested, monster feature on launch day?

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