User-Driven UI with Ajax

In the synchronous first-generation web, frequent, disruptive page reloads to retrieve small snippets of information assured that desktop apps remain first class citizens.  The advent of ajax technologies and web service remoting in this 2nd-generation web blurs the clear demarcation between a client-side application and a pure web site.  What used to be simple, read-only web sites have now become full applications, completely database driven and data retrieved in an asynchronous manner.  

The Age of User Experience

End users expect nothing less, have less patience and tolerance for sites with long page load times and will simply vote with their feet (or rather, mouse in this context) whenever they come across application interfaces that are non-intuitive and requires them to jump through hoops to do what they need to do.

Development teams are now expected to not only design database schemas, but also be equally proficient in developing user interface logic.  The emergence of a plethora of user interface frameworks that reduces development grind and empowers developers to collaborate seamlessly with graphic designers and evolving business and end user requirements.

A new class of developers known as User Interface/User Experience Developers is borned.

Implications for Software Development Success

What this means is that a large portion of resources and time - in any application development - should be focused on UI/UX development work.  As much as 60-70% of the overall efforts should be dedicated for that purpose.

Agile development teams structured for such a development effort - and who already have their server side fundamentals in place - are well-positioned for software development success.