Abby Fretz Exposed

Categories: Biz Casual

Posted by: admin

11/28/2012

Skills:
Project Management, Communication, Creative Brainstorming, Making up new words, Mead-making (developing)

Tools of the Trade:
Anything I use on a consistent basis, from the basic whiteboard to issue tracking software, needs to clearly and simply address a part of my daily routine. I regularly use Evernote, Basecamp, and Google Apps.  I’m always on the lookout for fabulous new tools of the trade and will consider adopting as long as they don’t complicate and actually help keep the PM process simple.

What is your project management style:
I approach each project with no expectations, knowing that I will have to modify my approach to each project based on the team I’m working with, the client, and on the parameters of the project (timeline, budget, etc.).  A good project manager needs to be malleable but stick to their core set of standards for any project.

I-SITE project most proud of:
I’m most proud of the Sprout Family Challenge iPhone app. It’s the first app I-SITE launched since I started here. On a fairly fast-paced timeline, we successfully designed the app to be enjoyable and usable by both parents and kids. The app had to deliver a lot of information in a highly visual and consumable way. We also worked with two partners on the project whose brands were quite different and smoothly merged them into a cohesive design.

What makes the perfect client:
The perfect client is engaged in the project and enjoys being involved as the project evolves.  I’ve worked with a huge range of clients from those who are highly technically knowledgeable to those who have only recently started using the internet. The important thing is that a client cares about the project and has the desire to work with you to produce something amazing.

How beekeeping relates to websites and apps:
Though there are generally accepted rules and standards for both beekeeping and developing websites and apps, there are also a ton of unknowns. As a beekeeper or a web creative, it is vital that you continue investigating, learning and trying new approaches to solving problems in order to adapt to a changing environment. Any beekeeper will tell you that there are a thousand ways to approach a single problem (I realized pretty quickly a question to five beekeepers gets you five different answers) and it is up to the individual (or team) to experiment and identify solutions that work for your very specific environment, type of bees, season, resources, etc.

Share: