Despite the fact that it is ubiquitous, software is never easy to build and/or scale. In case you’ve been hiding under a rock, or from the various virulent viruses and flus that are going around, the Democratic Iowa caucus decided to go the tech route to capture and tabulate their voting results last week, and why not? We all have apps on our phones. Which we use seemingly constantly, if the numbers are any indication (Americans check their cell phones 150 times a day) and since we’re all so cell phone-enabled, why not a voting app? The tech community has been advocating for this for quite some time. Although, given the number of hacks we’ve seen and/or experienced and the tech community’s seeming unwilling to address security flaws (Google discovered several iPhone security flaws, and Apple still hasn’t patched one), what could possibly go wrong?

Enter the Iowa caucus debacle, where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.

But this isn’t about what went wrong: since this is an election year, rife with contentious candidates and no shortage of social media platforms, this is a heads up to entrepreneurs who wish to step into the fray with their own tech offerings and we know that you’re out there.

First, careful when choosing a name for your product. The app that was used was developed by a company called Shadow, Inc – first red flag. If you’re involved in elections – especially high-profile elections – ideally you want to convey transparency. When your  website explainer reads: “When a light is shining, Shadows are a constant companion. We see ourselves as building a long-term, side-by-side ‘Shadow’ of tech infrastructure to the Democratic Party and the progressive community at large.” ‘Shadow?’ Transparency? Not so much.

Next, make sure to have tech support and training in advance of a major event in which the app will be used. According to the LA Times, said John Grennan, co-chairman of Iowa’s Poweshiek County Democratic Party…“We were supposed to be getting invitations to use it. The invites would never arrive…A lot of people didn’t even load the app because it’s such a pain.”

Test, test, test. Proper testing is always critical: you only get one shot at having a truly viable product, when it comes to users and customers. Said Techcrunch, “there’s no evidence to show that the app went through extensive testing — or if it did, what levels of testing and scrutiny it went through.” TheVerge, The app that broke the Iowa Caucuses was sent out through beta testing platforms It was not properly distributed through app stores.  According to NBC News, Iowa caucus app was rushed and flawed from the beginning, experts say. “Someone was not paying attention or on a deadline,” said one analyst who was able to examine the app. Sound familiar?

We will remind you that Google’s gmail was in beta for more than five years. Then again, Google was about collecting big data. We know that you’re excited about your product. Releasing it before you’ve thoroughly kicked the tires doesn’t always pay off or work in your favor.  No one will trust you with big data if you can’t so much as collect a little data.

There will be hiccups – or worse – and when you’re trying to make a name for yourself, take your time and do it right, especially if your focus is on the elections/polling/etc. and especially in this hyper-charged climate. ‘Coding error,’ ‘glitch,’ tomato, tomahto. Don’t take shortcuts. It’s on you to get it right prior to releasing your product into the wild and while it’s true that tech is fond of its catch phrases – ‘move fast and break things,’ ‘fail fast’  –  there seems to be a new one that’s creeping into the patois more and more, especially when it comes to elections.

And the last thing you want to be accused of is “rushin’” interference.

Onward and forward.