Supernova Award Category

The Problem

Runkeeper was struggling with information scattered across a variety of tools. It was very hard to keep everyone on the same page when it came to releasing new versions of their mobile app. For years, RunKeeper used Google Docs to track projects, define requirements, and collaborate across teams, but they quickly outgrew most Google Apps as their team, user base, and release schedule skyrocketed. Trying to find and share Google Docs across the organization was challenging. We wanted something that we could use to collaborate, use as a knowledge base, and that could integrate with JIRA.

The Solution

Initially, RunKeeper tried Confluence free for 30 days to see if it could help them become more collaborative and organized. Confluence quickly proved it was capable of so much more. Confluence, in addition to JIRA, has been instrumental in helping Runkeeper's teams adopt scrum and agile methodologies. 

The results

Today, RunKeeper uses Confluence as its wiki for teams to share, find and collaborate on work. At the corporate level, they use it to share company goals and values and benefits information. Individual teams use it to brainstorm, plan, and deliver their work, and also to track professional development and even define roles. You have one source that’s your go-to for everything you need to do, day in and day out.

Confluence has also become a critical place for sharing institutional knowledge, too. Mike Oliver, Director of Engineering at RunKeeper, says team members use it to document RunKeeper’s formal processes for reporting bugs, testing products, and posting product screen shots. As they continue to develop and improve RunKeeper and support new devices like smart watches and wearables, the RunKeeper team depends on Confluence to drive their collaboration even further.

Metrics

Before RunKeeper started using Confluence and JIRA, they had a lot of trouble scaling their development process. They concistently missed delivering bi-weekly releases to iPhone and Android. Since using Atlassian products they hit their alternating 2 week releases every time.

The Technology

• Atlassian Confluence
• Atlassian JIRA (and JIRA Agile)
• Atlassian HipChat

Disruptive Factor

RunKeeper is a GPS fitness-tracking app for iOS and Android with over 40 million users. RunKeeper allows users to track fitness activities (such as walking, running and cycling) using GPS and to see detailed statistics around their pace, distance, and time. RunKeeper tracks statistics, progress, and applies coaching, which allows the user to advance in their progress through their headphones with built-in audio cues; listen and control music while working out; measure their heart rate and take pictures to share and save while engaged in an activity.

Shining Moment

Were most proud of the feedback we get from our users. “We get feedback from users that RunKeeper has helped them change their lives,” said Rebecca O’Dette, Director of Program Management. “It’s a really great feeling.”