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The Programme
OFFERING FOUR ORGANISATIONS THE CHANCE TO CREATE DIGITAL PRODUCTS THAT MAKE USE OF THE WEB’S POWER TO CREATE MARKETS FOR SERVICES.
But the products will be only the beginning. We’ve designed the programme to help you build internal capabilities, develop staff and start the bigger process of using the products as a catalyst for new models of delivering and financing service delivery.
It's a really exciting programme that we believe is the first of its kind, anywhere in the world, and we're very grateful to our sponsors and partners at Nominet Trust for making it happen.
The Application Process
We know how much everyone hates the opaque process of applying for funding and the insanely complex application forms that go with it. We hate them as much as you do.
That's why the application process to take part in Sidekick School is the exact opposite of most funding processes. Here's how it will work:
- 1
- Initially we're simply looking to start conversations with interesting organisations that think they have the potential to make use of this opportunity. We've got a small form you can fill in online to start the conversation.
- 2
- If we like the sound of your conversation starter, we'll ask you to a 'chemistry meeting' where we can get to know each other. We might phone you up and talk to you first. At this meeting we’ll talk about you, us, and any ideas you might have.
- 3
- If we all get on and if it looks like there is a kernel of an idea, we'll help you put together a proposal document. At the same time, we can do due diligence on the idea, your organisation and you can find out more about us too.
- 4
- All being well, we’ll invite your organisation to join the programme, we’ll agree the team and the right time to get going with building an amazing product.
The emphasis is firmly on collaboration and building relationships. We'll review all the applications that we get as they come in, and once a fortnight we’ll setup meetings with organisations we want to meet. As soon as we find an organisation and a project we like, we'll start working up the proposal together.
Therefore, the sooner you start talking to us about your organisation and the problem you think the web could tackle, the higher your chance we will get to work together. We have four slots, and we want to fill them all by the start of February 2012.
The Incubation process
We know from experience that in the fast moving world of digital product innovation a cookie cutter approach to process definition just won't work.
Every project demands a bespoke project plan depending on the nature of the product being developed, as every organisation we work with is slightly different, and every product is at least slightly unique (hopefully very!). Therefore we can't tell you exactly what will happen. The only way we can do this is if you apply to the programme and we work together to define a process that works for your needs.
However, what we can do is outline the principles that will underpin all four projects that we work on through the Sidekick School programme. All our projects will be...
Quick.
The whole project will take between 3-4 months. That's it. From start to finish, we'll go from brief and problem definition, through research, design, development and alpha launch in under 16 weeks. Pace is key to generating the energy that the product will need internally and externally, and if we don't move this quickly the web will have moved on by the time we're ready to introduce the product.
Multi-disciplinary.
At Sidekick School, we’ll bring together skills in social business, design and technology to create amazing digital products and services. Your project will be delivered by a mix of designers, developers, researchers, strategists and creative technologists. Essentially, we have a team of 6 full time staff that will be working on this programme, on hand, whenever needed.
Collaborative.
We're building a product for your organisation, but we also want to make sure that your organisation leaves with much more than code. That's why we'll be asking the organisations we work with to provide at least one person to work very closely with us as the product manager throughout the project. This person will experience the latest approaches to digital product development, and leave equipped with the skills to maintain and build more products in the future.
Agile.
We're huge fans of agile project management techniques at Sidekick, and we'll take a very rapid, iterative approach to managing and delivering your product. Every day we'll hold a stand up meeting to review progress, and every week we'll demo our progress to you and your team. This kind of structured flexibility will allow us to deliver a solution that works, on time.
Outcomes driven.
Above all, our whole approach is to be relentlessly focused on the quality of the outcomes that we deliver, and ensuring that we deliver 'done' as quickly as possible. Which in this case means a working, useful product ready to start creating value for the organisation, and experienced, confident product managers capable of driving them forwards and promoting the value of digital in delivering social impact.
So, that's that's the process. We'd love you to be part of it. Why not fill in the form and then we can start work.
