identify two key constraints that will have the most significant impact on your project (e.g., Budget, Time, Resources, or any other constraint). For each constraint:
Impact: Describe how this constraint will affect your project.
Flexibility: Assess how rigid the constraint is. Can it be adjusted? What are the risks or consequences if the constraint isn’t met?
App Recap
For the MangeMobile app, an app for connecting the residents of the villages of the Grand Narbonne region (France) with food trucks and product vendors, there are two key constraints that I’ve identified. They are: app adoption and vendor participation.
App Adoption:
- Impact: In some of the more rural villages of the Grand Narbonne region, there may not be reliable internet access for all of the residents, which could potentially limit the adoption of the mobile app. However, SMS-based services may be more inclusive, but there could still be challenges if residents are not familiar with using it for things like ordering food.
- Flexibility: This constraint is moderate. The level of smartphone penetration is relatively high (77% in France as a whole (Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, October 15)) but some residents may have limited technical literacy (30% of residents of the region are over 60 (Insee. (n.d.)). Can it be adjusted? Yes. This constraint can be mitigated by offering both high-tech (mobile app) and low-tech (SMS) options, providing flexibility for different user demographics. Community training sessions or help desks could also help to encourage adoption amongst those who are unfamiliar with the technology.
Vendor Participation:
- Impact: The success of the project heavily depends on the participation of local food trucks and vendors. If the participating food tucks and vendors don’t consistently update their schedules, menus, and availability on the app or by SMS in a timey manner, residents may lose trust in the system, which could undermine its effectiveness.
- Flexibility: This constraint is moderate. Vendors may initially resist adopting a new system due to a learning curve or time constraints for updating schedules. But if success can be demonstrated through increased sales, the vendors may be more willing to post updates. Can it be adjusted? Yes. By simplifying the process of updating schedules and inventory through an easy-to-use interface, vendors could be more willing to regularly update their accounts. Regular check-ins and assistance from the project team could also help to ensure participation remains high.
References:
Insee. (n.d.). Dossier complet Intercommunalité-Métropole de ca le grand narbonne (241100593). https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2011101?geo=EPCI-241100593
Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, October 15). List of countries by smartphone penetration. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_smartphone_penetration