Challenging conventional methods, Mark will present a framework you can use to minimize process and how to consistently level-up your product. This product - not project - management approach to building Flixel’s apps has been critical for development decision making and focus. It has lead to partnerships with ANTM, Adobe, and Facebook, and an Apple Design Award for Cinemagraph Pro for Mac. Mark is the Co-founder and CTO of Flixel, makers of the award winning Cinemagraph Pro. He holds a B.Eng & Mgmt. and M.A.Sc. in Software Engineering from McMaster University. Part way through his Ph.D. work on symbolic timing analysis of safety critical real-time systems he took a “short” leave to build the first versions of the Shortcovers (now Kobo) ebook reader for iPhone. Eight years later, Mark has lead and developed over 20 apps for several clients and startups.

1. Behind The Curtain
Making Magical Tools Is Not Magic
Mark H. Pavlidis
@mhp
mhp@flixel.com
2016-05-30
DevTO

2. Motivation

3. A Brief History

4. –Arthur C. Clarke
“Any sufficiently advanced
technology is indistinguishable from
magic”

6. Product Management
@ Flixel

7. Focus
Flexible
Sustainable

8. Not Project
Management

9. Autonomy
Mastery
Purpose

10. Focus

11. Products are
Puzzles

19. Unknown Unknowns

20. Design For Change

21. Stress CurvePerformance
Pressure
Lazy Burnout
Uncomfortable Fatigue

22. Everything
is a
Tradeoff

25. Brainstorming

26. How To Make Choices

27. Socratic Method

28. Luck = Preparation ⋂ Opportunity

33. Summary
• No Silver Bullet
• Everything is a Tradeoff
• Products are ultra marathons
• Focus - Flexible - Sustainable

34. Essential Reading
• Drive, Daniel Pink
• Making Ideas Happen, Scott Belsky
• The Essential Drucker, Peter Drucker
• Mythical Man Month, Fred Brooks
• Getting Real, Fried, Hansson, Lindemann

35. Cinemagraphs By
• Alexandre Miguel - flixel.com/ixhumni
• John Tweddell - flixel.com/emsworthboy
• Jason Teale - flixel.com/JTeale
• Brian Babineau - flixel.com/brianbabineau
• Peter Chou - flixel.com/flashbulb/
• Me - flixel.com/mhp

36. Behind The Curtain
Making Magical Tools Is Not Magic
Mark H. Pavlidis
@mhp
mhp@flixel.com
2016-05-30
DevTO