Our Software Development process

   Software development can seem like an overwhelming task when you try to tackle it all at once. If you break the process down into its most basic steps, however, you’ll find that developing software requires more than just code—it needs organization and execution, too. Once you understand the five key steps of the software development process, you’ll be ready to take on even the most complex of software projects.

Define Goals

    A good software development process begins with clearly defined goals. Any proposed plan should begin with a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, both long-term and short-term. How does your business operate? What are its strengths and weaknesses? What is its market niche? Where do you want it to be in five years? Ten years? Write down your answers, then use them as a foundation for deciding what tools will be most effective at helping you reach your end goal.

Design and Prototype

   You may already have an idea of what you want your software to do, but how exactly will it function? Get out some paper and markers, or even just create an outline on your computer. The goal is for you to make sure all of your stakeholders (employees, investors, etc.) are on board with what you’re proposing; if they aren’t, make changes until everyone is happy.

Test and Implement

   It’s not enough to simply write down what you think will work. Take that idea, then test it. How can you effectively test your software? You could try user testing with friends and family, or set up some analytics on your site so you can see how people are using it. If they aren’t using it how you intended, adjust accordingly—then implement! Once your software is ready for prime time, be sure to thoroughly test it before release.

Release and Deploy

   Making sure your software is getting out into users’ hands—or, at least, making sure you have a system in place to help ensure that it does—is a major part of creating successful software. Depending on your role and what type of company you work for, release and deployment might be a project manager’s responsibility or yours. Or maybe there’s a dedicated team responsible for ensuring quality control from start to finish.

Measure Success

   It’s important to measure your progress along each of these steps, but it can be tough to gauge whether or not you’re making real progress. Every week, assess how you’ve done against your targets for that week and adjust your objectives accordingly. This will ensure that you always have a concrete roadmap for success and a plan for when things don’t go as planned.