The purpose of a Beta is to get a mostly completed application in front of a select representative group of users for feedback on usability and design. Functionality should have been identified during delta's and alpha's at the least.
As such, the length of the beta depends on how complete and "close to the mark" your application is. If customers find it just what they were after, then obviously its going to be a short beta. However, if they find it cumbersome then you are going to need iterative releases addressing their concerns. On average, a beta should be 3-6 months. Any more than that and you will quickly find your development budget vaporizing before your eyes. If you are one of the lucky ones who got it right the first time, then you can always end the beta early. It all depends on your confidence and budget really. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=41769 ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
