Quickbase is a powerful platform that allows businesses to create custom databases and applications to manage and automate their workflows.

But in order to make the most of Quickbase, it's important to have highly effective builders who understand how to use the tools and features of the platform to their full potential.

Below are seven traits that are essential for highly effective Quickbase builders. (Plus a BONUS #8)

#1: Understanding the Tools

Quickbase offers a range of tools and features that can be used to build custom applications. It's important for Quickbase builders to have a deep understanding of these tools and how to use them effectively to build the best possible solution for their business.

Most builders learn from doing, and many are thrown into the deep end when they are asked to take over for a previous app owner. So how do they get up to speed quickly?

• Quickbase University
• Quickbase Community
• Quick Base Junkie Blog
• Quick Base Junkie Resources
• Quick Base Junkie Training

 #2: Listening

Building a custom application requires understanding the needs and goals of the business. Highly effective Quickbase builders are good listeners who are able to understand the requirements of the project and build a solution that meets those needs.

I generally would not call myself a " good listener" (just ask my husband 😜), but when it comes to Quickbase conversations I'm laser-focused on every detail. When I hear things like "most of the time", "almost always", or "it's usually done this way" I stop to understand the exceptions... those exceptions are where the build gets interesting!

 #3: Attention To Detail

Building a custom application requires attention to detail in order to ensure that the solution is accurate, reliable, and meets the needs of the business. Highly effective Quickbase builders are detail-oriented and able to spot and address any issues that may arise during the development process.

Soooo much happens in the details! The placement of a comma in a formula, the label used on a button, the filter setting on a report, and similar 'minor' details all impact the usability, experience, and functionality of the entire application. Even spotting an invisible extra space in a key field can shave hours off troubleshooting a problem. If you've been there YOU KNOW!

 #4: Systems Thinking

Quickbase builders need to be able to think about the big picture and understand how different elements of a custom application fit together to form a cohesive system. This requires a systems-thinking approach that enables builders to anticipate and address potential issues before they arise.

Quickbase has many interconnected parts and as apps grow and evolve they become more and more complex. Making updates, additions, or changes to an existing app brings with it a certain amount of risk. One seemingly small change could have disastrous effects if the whole of the system is not understood. Most builders I know keep a lot of this knowledge in their head from years of experience, some have developed good documentation practices, and others take the risk and address issues as they arise. My suggestion, try to make documentation a habit... your future self (or replacement) will thank you.

 #5: User Focus

Highly effective Quickbase builders are user-focused and understand that the custom applications they build are meant to be used by real people. They design solutions that are intuitive and easy to use, with an eye toward making the user experience as seamless as possible.

I never really understood phrases like "Customer Back" and "User Design" until I worked at a large software company that employed teams of people in user experience design and research roles. There is truly an art to understanding how users interact with software, how prior experiences influence their expectations, and how the design can impact (positively or negatively) their adoption and use. Most of us will never have a degree in User Experience Design, so I figure the next best thing is to observe the workflows as much as possible, ask users to speak out loud as they interact with your apps in the initial phases, and keep an open mind.

 #6: Problem Solving

Building a custom application requires problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot issues that may arise. Highly effective Quickbase builders are able to quickly identify and resolve any issues that come up during the development process and beyond.

The process of app building often creates a new set of problems as workflows, formulas, automations, and similar functions don't do what we intended them to do. It's at this point a new set of problem-solving tools must be engaged while we try to remain calm, cool, and collected as we assess the issue, diagnose the problem, and implement a solution.

 #7: Continual Learning

The Quickbase platform is constantly evolving, with new features and tools being added regularly. Highly effective Quickbase builders are committed to continually learning and staying up to date on the latest developments in the platform.

In the decade-plus that I've been using Quickbase, there have been more enhancements than I can count and it seems they are coming faster and faster. To keep up on the latest developments I recommend these resources:

• Watch for in-app pop-ups highlighting new features (it's tempting to close these as 'annoying pop-ups' but they may not show up again)
• Read the monthly Quickbase Release Notes
• Attend Quickbase Empower and other Events
• Follow Quickbase and Quick Base Junkie on LinkedIn

There you have it, those are the seven traits I see as essential for highly effective Quickbase builders. By understanding the tools, listening to their clients, paying attention to detail, thinking about the big picture, focusing on the user experience, identifying and solving problems, and staying up to date on the latest developments, Quickbase builders can create awesome custom apps that streamline workflows and improve efficiency.

 BONUS: #8 What Other Builders Have Added

A few weeks ago I shared this topic on LinkedIn to see what traits other builders would identify.

Here is what they shared:

• "Intent Listening. Unafraid questioning" – Sherry
• "Reminding the decision makers and leaders that design and workflow require end user input before deployment to get both adoption as well as better workflow process accuracy in the design to avoid rework." – Laura
• "Planning/Design
  Effective Use of Meetings
  Pipelines - when to use them
  Customer Feedback/User Acceptance Testing" – Ann
  
• "Ability to build open line of communication with your customers. They should feel encouraged to come to you with feedback or requests. A single button or link a builder may not have thought of could save a customer so many clicks in a day." – Gwen
• "Resourcefulness
  Creativity
  Resilience
  Listening for Understanding
  Communication (Especially persuasive)
  Foresight/Big Picture Thinking
  Logical Thinking
  Conscientiousness" – Melissa
  
• "An understanding of successful change management, and the ability to thoughtfully guide users through an app deployment" – Heather
• "1) People who understand process. 2) People who know how to map out the current state and ideal future state. 3) People who understand data" – Ben
• "Solver
  Integrator
  Knower" – Manthan
• "Secure by Design. Quickbase has a robust set of security governance features, and a conversation with the customer can help the builder understand the sensitivity of the data and how best to protect it." – Rebecca
• "Innately curious problem solver that detests MUDA" – Michael

Read the full comments on LinkedIn

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