You might be having a brilliant idea, one that you’re really excited about, but the challenge at hand is : how to actualize the idea into reality, and ensure that it lasts well in the future.
This is a simple guide that will help you plan and adapt through the process of turning an idea into a successful project.
Prioritize . Organize . Discipline
Every thing discussed below lies on those three key points.
PRIORITIZE
Our minds are constantly at work. Even while asleep. (Unless you have never dreamt.) You want to do something that makes a difference, and your brain is thinking hard, to come up with a unique idea.
Maybe you probably have so many idea to an extent that you have forgotten some. For instance : You love art and want to create an art-making program, or a scientific simulation, or even out of your favorite game, you want to create a digital version of it with real-life characters…….etc
Whatever it is; the first step is Write them down. An idea, followed by a description of it.
ORGANIZE
Don’t rush blindly into a new project. Take your time, breath, and come up with a plan that yields better end results.
Here are some brainstorming questions to help: How do you want it to appear? If it’s a digital version of something; then technically a technology language or environment will be required. If you are the one doing it, you need to choose something that is both easy and familiar and working suitably for the project.
If it’s a simulation app you wanted but don’t know how to code; you can hire a programmer to help you with the project.
Identify what features will and won’t be included.
⦁ To start, you can draft some illustrations / sketches that look alike to your characters. Then from there, apply different colors, sizes, visual details as needed.
⦁ Write and draw everything neatly, precisely and break it down list by list. It will help you understand the logic needed to go into a specific stage / level on the program.
⦁ Also, focus and include key features that could make your program unique, exciting and easy for the users / consumers. If it’s a game, heighten the fun about it.
After you have a complete replica of your idea sketched; it’s time to come up with a prototype. You can start coding, from the high-level priority down to the minor extras of the program.
If you don’t know how to code, you can basically write an in-depth article in plain text explaining what needs to be where. Then the programmer you hire, can slowly translate it to an actual code.
Final point on this stage of Organizing, is adjusting your timeline. How long will it take you, to make this program? Is it days, weeks, months? Each day, how much time can you invest into the project? It’s important to have a deadline so that it becomes much easier to limit how much time you’ll spend.
DISCIPLINE
Consider a racing car driver. They may check their car’s condition, apply the right pressure on the gas pedal, but if they steer the wheel too early around a corner, they could lose the race. For the racing car driver to win the race, he/she needs to coordinate and implement every aspect of driving well and on the right time. The same applies to you when creating a program/project.
Discipline is all about doing what you know you should do, rather than what you want to. When you neglect to perform the necessary task on a given stage of program creation, you’ll slowly start losing the dedication and traction needed for the success of the project.