Meet the Team: Chris Wright

Here at NCASS, there’s a passionate team working behind the scenes every day to make sure members get the most out of their membership – and we thought it was about time you got to know them!

We speak to Chris Wright, who has over ten years’ experience in software development and has been Senior Software Developer at NCASS for three and a half years.

What does a typical day look like for you at NCASS?

Our workload is apportioned into two-week sprints. In these sprints we are allocated a mixture of new features to work on, as well as bug fixes and supporting the business with any technical issues that have been reported by our members, trainees and account managers.

A typical day involves me working through the new features, but I am very often called into solving issues that members may be having with using our software and creating tickets to fix bugs or redesign parts of our sites that may be causing confusion.

In simple terms, what do you work on and how does it help our members?

I work on the software applications that NCASS provides to its members to help them run, and get the most out of, their business, namely the membership Dashboard, the NCASS Training Portal and the Digital Food Safety System (although my main focus has been on the Dashboard and Training. I wish I could take credit for the Digital Food Safety System, but my involvement on that product has been minimal). I am most proud of my work in modernising how the Dashboard works for members. My main contributions have been in revamping risk assessments, the purchasing of training and I am currently working on updating how members can place and apply for work opportunities.

What’s one problem you’re currently trying to solve for hospitality businesses?

My current focus is on streamlining how members can apply for work opportunities. This is an area in which there are great improvements to be made, and I think it is vitally important service that NCASS provides – putting members in touch with event organisers and getting them out there trading.

A lot of our members aren’t technical – how do you make sure the systems are easy to use?

My motto when it comes to website design is “There’s no such things as user error – only bad design”. The best way to design software that is easy to use is to repeatedly test your software. To do this successfully, you have to take off your “software developer hat” and put on your “catering professional hat” and try to imagine using the software as someone who is busy running a catering business. Any time struggling with the interface is time taken away from doing the important work elsewhere. We don’t always get this right as software developers, so it is important to listen to feedback from your users and allow this feedback to inform any re-designs.

What’s something in the system that seems simple to users but is actually quite complex behind the scenes?

At NCASS we offer a wide range of services – e.g. our Membership Dashboard, our accredited training courses and the Digital Food Safety System. Synchronising data between these applications can be quite involved and we are always looking at ways to optimise and improve the user experience.

How do you decide what to build or improve next?

The tech team’s priorities are set by are Product Manager (Scott) and Director of IT (Daren) in collaboration with the rest of the business. Our quarterly goals are set by Daren and Scott and each quarter is divided into 2 week sprints. The Tech Team meets 2-3 times a week to plan our sprints and allocate work.

Our main priority since I have been here is replacing the clunky old Control Panel with the newer and more modern Dashboard. When deciding what to improve or introduce next, our main priority is offering value to our members.

How much of what you build comes directly from member feedback?

An early version of the Digital Food Safety System was trialled with members before its official release and user feedback was essential in refining and optimising the app. This is an ongoing process and feedback and suggestions are always welcomed. The whole company is encouraged to share feedback from members (we have a company-wide online chat group for this very purpose). Very often suggestions from members have found their way into this chat and into our products.

What’s your go-to comfort food?

For snacking, Walkers Max Punchy Paprika crisps. For meals, it has to be pizza. Software developers are not known for their sophisticated palate.

What would you name your food truck or hospitality business?

Well, when I am testing the software, I am required to create fake companies to purchase fake memberships several times a day. I try to create a unique name for each one. My favourite is ‘Hey Mr Lamb Tagine Man’, so it might have to be that.