Thinking Things Through

We've been working on enhancing some of the tools that we use for automated processes like invoicing, commissions, etc. Using automation to reduce the labor costs, which are usually owner labor, can make a huge difference in the amount of work you can get done.

So before we undertake development, what we've done is think about the process that we need to implement. We go through what he normally does manually, entries into Quick Books, transfers from banks, invoices entered, calculating things, etc. We then note that down in a Word document, describing the flow.

Next we look at the process for places for breakage. Meaning where things can do wrong, or where we might need to correct/adjust things. Then we outline those as well and use that as a basic document to provide to a developer, and also for some testing.

It's a pain. It takes time, but it helps to ensure that we are actually building what we need.