Have you ever wondered how custom software is developed? A lot goes behind the curtains to create software in the desired way. Various businesses, companies, and multinational organizations are investing in custom software development as they realize its importance.
Many people still don’t know how software developers carry out a custom software development process. There’s nothing wrong with not knowing about the process, but it will help you better understand how it’s done.
Imagine owning a small business and wanting professional software for your customers; it would help if you knew what goes into the process.
Software development companies use multiple software development methodologies based on the type of software under development. For instance, there’s the Spiral model, Agile model, Waterfall model, and so on. Such software models offer different approaches to delivering the end product to the client.
Also read: How to Start Android App Development for Beginners in 5 Step
However, the specific tasks in every software development life cycle (SDLC) remain the same. We will walk you through these steps, giving you a clear idea of how custom software is developed.
Without any further ado, let’s start.
Understanding the SDLC Process
1. Collecting and Understanding User Requirements
Before anything else, gathering the client’s requirements for the end product is necessary. It is essential to figure out what the client needs as a finished product.
This step requires multiple meetings between the developers and the client, as there’s no room to leave out even a minor detail. Note that this step does not contain any technical work; it only includes what goals the software has to fulfill upon completion.
Once all the requirements are gathered, understood, and agreed upon, the software developers move on to the next step.
2. Requirement Analysis and Brainstorming
The software developers then thoroughly review all the requirements gathered in the previous step. This step mitigates any misunderstanding between the client and the software development company to avoid any type of delay in the timeline.
Both entities should confirm the requirements to proceed to the next step. Moreover, the developers mention all the requirements in a document which is called a software requirement specification (SRS) document, which guides how the product should be carried out.
3. Wireframing and Designing
Here the outline of the software design takes place. The functionality of the software is decided here. There are always multiple screens in any software enabling users to carry out different tasks.
For instance, let us consider a famous mobile app software, WhatsApp. The primary function of WhatsApp is to connect people worldwide, right?
However, there are different functions you could perform on different screens. On the home screen, you see a list of all your current chats, and on tapping any one of them, you land on your one-on-one conversion with that person. This particular step was created by wireframing, which decides how and what the user can do while using the software on each screen.
Wireframing enables the software developers to see how the user will navigate the software. The drawings can even be hand-made as long as they are clearly understood.
4. Development and Implementation
This is the lengthiest process, which involves coding the software using the chosen programming language and framework. The software developers start coding the software according to the SRS document and wireframing guide.
Most software companies follow the Agile model approach, which includes daily meetings to measure the daily progress. Such meetings are called Scrum meetings, where each team member notifies everyone of the tasks they completed, what they plan on doing today, and what difficulties they faced.
This way, the project manager can help solve such issues and ensure that the development process is heading in the right decision smoothly. It is necessary that during the process, the internet connection is stable. Most software developers use the Cox internet service, thanks to its fast speeds that make the development process pretty flawless.
5. Testing
Once the developers are done coding the software, it’s still not good to go. The testers receive the developed software to see if it’s developed correctly. They test the software to find any possible errors that may have slipped from the development stage.
It can be any imperfection, error, feature defect, or compatibility issue the software testers look for. If any of the said issues are found in the testing stage, the software is sent back to the developers to get things fixed.
This project’s to-and-fro movement continues until no errors are left, and it is finally good to go.
6. Deployment and Maintenance
After the green flag from the testers, the software is ready to be released to the concerned users. However, the work isn’t done here, as once the software is live, users encounter issues that must be fixed immediately. For this reason, the standby team of software developers should be ready to assist.
There are two ways the software implementation is done, on-premise deployment and cloud-based deployment. The on-premise deployment means that the software will be installed and hosted on the company’s server, which will be protected by its firewall. It was the only option in the past and was beneficial for any organization that requires complete control.
However, if you go for on-premise development, you will have to call the development team each time you need to update, modify, or make any other changes in the software. On the other hand, the cloud-based hosting of the software will allow the development team to make the necessary changes no matter where they are in the world.
Qualities You Should Look For in a Custom Software Development Company
Developing a custom software application is a challenging task. This is why it is essential to look for a professional software development company to do a fine job. From gathering the customer requirements to delivering the end product, every step must be conducted correctly.
Below, we have shared some factors one should look for in a software development company before hiring.
1. Skills and Experience
It will help if you learn how skilled and experienced the software company is before handing over your requirements. An experienced team of software developers must have worked on multiple projects. This will give them an edge in understanding your requirements better and developing the software according to your expectations.
2. Communication Skills
Communication skills are essential to understand what the client needs. Good communication effectively adds business value to the product, subsequently building a lasting relationship with the client. The tools such as Zoom and Skype assist in an effective exchange of dialogue.
3. Pricing Structure
Lastly, you must look at the pricing plan of the software development company to see if it’s in your budget. Moreover, before you sign with the company, ensure that there are no hidden fees. We recommend not hiring a software development company that hides the cost.
Conclusion
Custom software development has various advantages, which is why it has become highly essential. Imagine being able to create a customized solution for your customers; it will make you stand out from the competition.
Also read: 11 Best Software Development Tools You Should Know About
Along with the relevant skillset of developing custom software, the software developers also rely on a high-speed internet service provider. Lousy internet speed can make the development process a hassle. Check out these TV and internet packages to select the perfect internet plan according to your needs at an affordable price.
