Client's Testimonial

"We were drowning in operational chaos and had a vague idea for an app. The business analyst from Developers.dev came in and gave us a clear path forward on both fronts. She mapped out our entire business process, found efficiencies we never would have seen, and then translated our app idea into a concrete, buildable plan. It was the best investment we've made in our technology."

Founder & CEO, Gourmet Pantry Co.

Client Overview

A successful, family-owned online retailer in Australia specializing in gourmet food products. With growing order volumes, their manual operational processes were becoming a major bottleneck. They also wanted to launch a mobile app to improve customer loyalty but had no idea where to start.

Problem

The client's order fulfillment, inventory management, and customer service processes were a patchwork of spreadsheets and manual tasks. This was leading to shipping errors and limiting their ability to scale. Simultaneously, their desire for a mobile app was an undefined, high-level concept with no clear scope or features.

Key Challenges

Process Chaos:

No documented workflows for their core business operations.

Undefined Scope:

The mobile app idea was "we need an app" with no further detail.

Limited Budget:

As an SME, they needed to ensure every dollar spent on technology had a clear ROI.

Non-Technical Stakeholders:

The founding team were experts in food, not software.

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Our Solution

We assigned a versatile Business Analyst with strong skills in both business process modeling and mobile application requirements definition. The engagement was split into two phases.

⚙️ Phase 1: Process Optimization:

The BA conducted interviews with staff in every department and used BPMN to map the entire "as-is" order-to-delivery process. This visual map immediately highlighted several major bottlenecks and redundancies. She then designed a streamlined "to-be" process that could be supported by a simple off-the-shelf inventory management system.

📱 Phase 2: Mobile App MVP Definition:

The BA facilitated a series of workshops with the founders to define the goals for the mobile app. Using techniques like MoSCoW prioritization (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won't have), she helped them focus on a core set of features for an MVP focused on re-ordering and loyalty rewards.

☁️ Cloud-Native Infrastructure:

The entire solution was deployed on Google Cloud Platform (GCP), using Kubernetes for container orchestration to ensure high availability and auto-scaling.

✍️ Headless CMS Integration:

We integrated Contentful as a headless CMS, allowing the marketing team to manage content independently of the development team.

Implementation and Execution

API Layer Development:

Presented the "as-is" and "to-be" process maps to the leadership team, along with a business case for the new inventory system.

PWA Frontend Build:

Created a vendor evaluation checklist for the client to use when selecting the new software.

Cloud Deployment:

Developed a set of high-level epics and user stories for the mobile app MVP.

Integration Refinement:

Created simple wireframes for the key screens of the app to help the non-technical founders visualize the user experience.

Load Testing:

Packaged the app requirements into a clear, concise Business Requirements Document (BRD).

Phased Rollout:

Provided a high-level effort estimate for the MVP development, allowing the client to budget effectively.

Positive Outcome

📈 Operational Efficiency Increased by 35%:

By implementing the new process and software, the client reduced order processing time by 35% and cut shipping errors by over 70%.

🗺️ Clear, Actionable App Roadmap:

The client went from a vague idea to a fully-defined, budget-friendly MVP scope, ready for development.

💰 Secured Development Funding:

The professional BRD and clear ROI projections enabled the client to secure a business loan to fund the app's development.

💪 Empowered Leadership:

The non-technical founders felt confident and in control of their technology strategy for the first time.

Why Choose Us

🧠 Domain Expertise:

The BA had prior experience with retail and e-commerce workflows.

✅ Process Maturity:

We used industry-standard BPMN and MoSCoW techniques.

🌐 Ecosystem of Experts:

The BA consulted our mobile development lead to validate the feasibility of the MVP features.

🛡️ Zero-Risk Trial:

The value was proven in the first process mapping workshop.

🤝 Seamless Integration:

The BA adapted her communication style for a non-technical audience.

🤖 AI-Augmented Delivery:

N/A for this specific project's core tasks.

🔒 Full IP Security:

The client owned all process maps and requirements documents.

💯 Free Replacement Guarantee:

Provided initial assurance for the SME client.

🎯 Outcome-Oriented Focus:

We delivered two clear outcomes: an optimized process and a buildable app plan.

Conclusion

For SMEs, business analysis is not a luxury; it's a critical tool for scalable growth. Developers.dev provided the analytical rigor needed to solve the client's immediate operational pains while also creating a strategic and realistic roadmap for their future digital ambitions, proving that world-class analysis can deliver immense value to businesses of any size.

Streamlining Operations and Defining an MVP for an Australian Online Retailer

Industry E-commerce & Retail