A framework for success

What is success? If you can't set the vision, you'll never reach it. that's why i came up with three criteria based against which the success of all current/future passion projects that I participate in will be based:

1. it should challenge an existing paradigm and make people think
2. it should empower people to do something they otherwise wouldn't be able to do
3. it should engage and inspire people to act
   

Release Early & Release Often

"Release Early, Release Often" is a principle that is now adopted by some of the most successful companies in internet. I've known of it, incorporated it in the develop strategy of KnolSoft's internet product but I never actually knew how amazing it was until I started my little mashup experiment Googview.

GoogView Started off with a simple question: if people like Google search yet they keep going to Bing for the daily image, what would happen if we combined the two? The first iteration was simply the current Google Search with a background that I selected from Wikipedia picture of the day. People who I gave the simple pitch to loved it but other people didn't quite get it. After this I kept tweaking the site based on user suggestions daily. The rapid changes kept even the people who weren't that into it at first interested and I was able to keep the communication going. The result was a significantly better website design, users participation and a lot of fun. So, what were the lesson I got out of this?

1. Iterative development is an extremely powerful tool and it must be incorporated into your product strategy.
2. You have to iterate fast and work hard to keep dialogue going and maintain user interest.
3. If you don't have the infrastructure in place to go through this cycle rapidly, you're not ready to launch. If it means more manpower, get it.