Hiring a VR/AR Partner: Key Traits to Look For
For most companies, buying and implementing Virtual and Augmented Reality is a brand new and unfamiliar experience, and it can be difficult to identify the partner best suited for your needs. In this post, I outlined several things to look for. This is by no means a comprehensive list of considerations but it should help jumpstart your exploration of Virtual and Augmented Reality.
GENERALIST VS. SPECIALIST
If you experience mysterious foot pain, seeing a general practitioner is a good start, but depending on the situation, there’s a good chance you’ll need to need an expert in a specialty like podiatry or orthopedics to give you a detailed diagnosis. Finding a VR / AR solution provider is no different.
The industry has grown to a place where more people than ever have access to this technology. All sorts of companies are attempting to create VR / AR experiences, but when considering solutions to critical business problems, a generalist isn’t enough. Traditional mobile app agencies, video shops, and generalist Marketing/PR firms might be well-intentioned, but VR / AR is a complex, full-time vocation with its own technical challenges, best practices, and design considerations. Your problem deserves a solution that isn’t a side hobby, “Innovation Friday” project, or a “sure, we can do that.” Delivering a detailed, comprehensive VR / AR solution requires an obsessive passion an emergent technology that is constantly changing, some serious technical chops, and the ability to solve complex problems in new ways using the unique strengths of the medium. Look for someone who has bet all their chips on immersive technology, not a casual dabbler.
OFF-THE-SHELF VS CUSTOM SOLUTIONS
Next time you find yourself sitting with a potential partner, ask yourself this:
“Is this someone who is willing and able to take the time to understand the nuance and complexity of my challenges? Or will they propose a one-size-fits-all solution, no matter what my needs are?”
Off-the-shelf solutions, while sometimes cost-effective, often cannot deliver the same results as a customized experience created for one organization. Venture funded VR / AR shops that have already pre-built a solution can be notorious for this. There is little time available to slow down and deeply diagnose customer needs when you have to hit milestones to fundraise again every 18 months. If you happen to find an off-the-shelf solution that can reduce costs and allow you to launch sooner, by all means, go take advantage of the opportunity. But remember you may only get one chance to introduce VR and AR to your company for the first time - so it’s more important to get it right than to get it cheaper / faster / sooner! Creating a solution specific to your organization increases the chances of a smooth deployment, strong engagement, and of moving the metrics you set out to improve.
AGILE DEVELOPMENT VS. WATERFALL
You can find a million articles about different approaches to software development, but it often comes down to Waterfall vs Agile. Constant feedback, rapid iterations, and a close partnership throughout the entire project cycle are a few of the many benefits of an agile workflow. A partner that tells you they will nail everything the first time around is not being realistic. A true partner knows that you will learn together throughout the process, that some of your initial hypotheses will be disproven, and that there needs to be a plan for iterating and incorporating continuous improvement feedback before, during, and after deployment. If you’re not experienced with agile, the rapid pace and exposure to some seriously rough early versions of your app can be jarring at first. This is natural and it becomes second nature over time. Laying out a detailed production and sprint schedule with your VR/AR partner can help you feel more comfortable than what you initially perceive as “chaotic” is actually a highly structured, deliberate process designed to drive stronger deliverables.
Don’t forget, choose a team you will enjoy working with. You’ll spend a lot of time communicating, so choosing a partner that challenges, engages, and delivers results is critical. Stay tuned for my next blog, where I’ll discuss a few common red flags to avoid.
Written by Christophe Lafargue
Director of Business Development, Lucid Dream VR
