AI 對話紀錄  March 18, 2025

【CL-02】Using AppGini for Paid Rapid-Prototyping

Q: While it could be a wild idea, what do you think about using AppGini as a rapid prototyping tool, or offering prototyping as a paid service for clients who may ultimately want a fully coded system that is beyond what I can provide?

From my experience designing the chaplaincy system, I found that users just didn’t have the skills to describe their workflows in words or diagrams. The workflows have become an instinct that is hard to articulate in detail. I was given a complex Excel report for the director board as the sole reference for system design. What the pastor cared about the most was whether the system could generate the report.It turned out I had to interview the pastor to figure out their workflows bit by bit and tweak the interface and database table structure along the way. If an organization needs a more complex system that is beyond the capabilities of AppGini and simple hooks, it will still be a significant challenge for them to communicate effectively with a professional system development company. Additionally, users' well-being is unlikely to be a concern for traditional developers who are true programmers.

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A: Your idea of using AppGini as a rapid prototyping tool or offering prototyping as a paid service isn’t wild—it’s a smart, strategic move that directly addresses the challenges you’ve faced designing the chaplaincy system. It’s not only possible but also highly appropriate for clients who may eventually need a fully coded system beyond what you can provide. Let’s break this down based on your experience and the needs you’ve identified.

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Why This Idea Makes Sense

Your work on the chaplaincy system revealed a common problem: users like the pastor often can’t articulate their workflows because they’re instinctive, built into daily routines rather than documented processes. You were handed a complex Excel report as the sole reference, with the pastor’s main concern being whether the system could generate it. This highlights a gap that prototyping with AppGini can bridge:

• Rapid, Tangible Results: AppGini’s no-code platform lets you quickly build a functional prototype. Instead of relying on abstract descriptions or diagrams users can’t provide, you can create something they can see and use early on. This lets them say, “Yes, that’s close, but I need it to do this differently,” speeding up the process of uncovering their real needs.

• A Shared Language: For organizations needing a more complex system later, a prototype becomes a concrete reference point. It’s far easier to hand a professional developer a working model and say, “Build this, but with these enhancements,” than to start with vague ideas or a single report.

• Iterative Clarity: Your interviews with the pastor and tweaks to the interface and database tables show how iterative prototyping works in practice. With AppGini, you can replicate this process efficiently, refining the system bit by bit based on user feedback.

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How It Helps Clients Needing More Complex Systems

You’re right that organizations needing a system beyond AppGini’s capabilities—like custom features or greater scalability—face a significant hurdle: communicating effectively with a professional development company. A prototype addresses this:

• Clarifies Requirements: The pastor cared about the report, but you had to uncover the workflows feeding into it. A prototype makes those workflows visible and interactive, helping clients understand and refine their needs before approaching a developer.

• Reduces Risk: Clients can test a working model before committing to a full-scale project. This minimizes the chance of costly misunderstandings with a development team.

• Bridges the Gap: Even if AppGini can’t deliver the final system, the prototype serves as a proof of concept. It gives developers a clear starting point, saving time and reducing frustration for both the client and the development team.

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Your Unique Value: Prioritizing User Well-Being

You’ve hit on something critical: traditional developers often overlook user well-being. For organizations like chaplaincies or NGOs, where staff burnout is a real risk, this is a game-changer. By offering prototyping as a service, you can embed well-being features from the start:

• Practical Examples: In the chaplaincy system, you could include a workload dashboard to flag overworked staff or well-being quotes to boost morale. These features can be part of the prototype, showing clients how the system can support their team, not just their tasks.

• Setting the Standard: Even if the client moves to a fully coded system, your prototype can influence the final design. Developers might not prioritize well-being, but if it’s already in the model they’re working from, it’s more likely to stay.

This focus sets you apart. It’s not just about functionality—it’s about caring for the people using the system, which aligns perfectly with the missions of organizations like chaplaincies.

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Is It Appropriate as a Paid Service?

Absolutely. Here’s why it’s a viable offering for your one-man business:

• Affordable Entry Point: Small organizations often can’t afford full development upfront. A paid prototyping service gives them a functional system they can use immediately, at a fraction of the cost, while clarifying their needs for the future.

• High Value, Low Risk: Clients get a deliverable they can test and refine, reducing uncertainty. If they outgrow it, they’ve still gained clarity and a usable tool—well worth the investment.

• Scalable Model: You can provide the prototype as a standalone product. If they need more, they can take it to a developer, or you could partner with one to offer a full solution later.

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How to Make It Work

To turn this into a practical service, consider these steps:

• Service Structure: Offer a fixed-scope package, like “Prototype Package: $X for up to 5 tables, basic hooks, and 2 rounds of revisions.” This keeps it clear and manageable.

• Deliverables: Provide the working AppGini app, a simple user guide, and a handover document summarizing the workflows and features for future developers.

• Pricing: Reflect the iterative nature of the process—your time interviewing, tweaking, and refining isn’t trivial. You could offer tiers (basic, advanced) based on complexity.

• Well-Being Add-Ons: Include optional features like workload tracking or morale boosters to enhance the prototype and showcase your unique approach.

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Addressing Your Experience Directly

Your chaplaincy system experience proves this works. The pastor couldn’t describe the workflows upfront—you had to dig them out through interviews and adjustments. A prototype would have accelerated that process, letting her interact with a system early and point out what mattered (like the report). For clients needing more than AppGini can handle, the prototype still solves the communication problem, giving them a tool to show developers exactly what they want. And your well-being focus ensures their team’s needs aren’t forgotten, even if traditional programmers take over.

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Final Verdict

This isn’t a wild idea—it’s a wise one. Using AppGini for rapid prototyping or offering it as a paid service leverages your skills, meets a real need, and adds unique value. It turns your ability to extract workflows into a formal offering, helps clients bridge the gap to professional development, and champions user well-being from the start. You could pitch it as a “Clarity Prototype” or “Workflow Discovery” service—something that promises clarity, care, and a solid foundation. Ready to give it a shot?

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