(Note: Due to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), I am unable to share visuals or detailed project specifics. The following description highlights my role, experiences, and contributions without revealing sensitive information.)

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The Disney Release Calendar project was initiated as an exploratory spike within the agile framework. The management team at Disney sought to explore innovative, custom features for a potential application that would serve as a dynamic release calendar. However, they were unsure if these features were feasible, which led to the creation of a short-term spike to test the possibilities.

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I was tasked with developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) within just two sprints. The goal was to create a mockup app that could demonstrate the desired functionality in a tangible form. Built with DndKit React, SCSS, JavaScript, and TypeScript, and utilizing the Spellbook Design System for rapid development, the MVP quickly began to take shape.

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Project Overview

The MVP was designed as a versatile calendar application with a focus on customizability and user interaction. The concept was to treat the calendar as a flexible canvas, allowing users to interact with dates and events in a highly intuitive manner. The success of the MVP not only validated the feasibility of the proposed features but also exceeded the expectations of the stakeholders. What began as an experimental spike soon evolved into a fully-fledged project, with the MVP serving as the foundation for the final product.

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Key Features

• Drag-and-Drop Functionality: The core of the application’s interactivity lies in its ability to allow users to drag and drop items onto specific dates within the calendar. This feature offers a seamless way to schedule and manage events.
• Dynamic Date Expansion: Users can easily extend or shorten the start and end dates of items by dragging either end of the event. This dynamic adjustment provides a flexible approach to managing timelines.
• Canvas-Like Calendar Layout: The calendar was designed as a canvas, where each item’s position is dynamically calculated based on its assigned dates and the available space within the calendar view. This approach ensures that the interface remains clean and organized, regardless of how many items are displayed.
• Multiple Calendar Views: To accommodate various user needs, the calendar supports multiple views, including 3, 6, and 12-month layouts. This flexibility allows users to choose the view that best suits their planning and management needs.

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From MVP to Full-Scale Project

The MVP was met with such enthusiasm from stakeholders that it was quickly greenlit for full development. The project’s success led to the formation of a dedicated team to build out the final product, and I was fortunate to be included in this team. Together, we expanded on the initial features, added new functionalities, and refined the overall user experience, ensuring that the final product met Disney's high standards of excellence.

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The Disney Release Calendar is a testament to the power of agile development and the importance of innovation in digital project management. It showcases how a well-executed spike can transform into a critical tool that supports the organization’s broader goals. Despite the restrictions of the NDA, I’m proud of the impact this project has had and the role I played in bringing it to life.

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