Software development is one of the professions that are increasingly valued, and the bright future of this profession is evidenced by research that predicts that experts of this type will be increasingly in demand in the coming decades. There are almost no businesses around the world that operate without some kind of software; medical devices work thanks to software, so do commonplace home appliances, street lights, and so on. Due to the widespread use of software in everyday private and business life, software developers are among the most sought-after and highly paid professionals in the market.
Software development is the development, i.e. planning and creation, of programs and applications. Simply put, software development mostly consists of writing computer code in one of the programming languages to solve a specific problem. The process of writing and then maintaining, the code that makes a particular program or software functional and usable is called ‘programming’.
Thus, software development is the development and production of specific IT solutions to a specific order or the adaptation of already developed solutions and systems to some new needs. In other words, software development includes business process analysis, consulting, design, development, and, finally, the implementation and maintenance of information systems.
Software development – what is software?
Software is a computer program written in a way that allows it to control a computer or part of a computer, to enable it to perform calculations, manage data, and allow communication with other software programs. During software development, some steps must be taken into account and must not be neglected:
– Defining a clear vision
– Creating the first and basic version of the software, which customers will be able to see and test. Additional functionality will be added during build time
– Designing the program, where clients will remain constantly involved, working out the functionality and appearance of the program
– Constant checking whether an error has accidentally occurred in the program and, if so, eliminating it
– After creating a complete program in consultation with the client, performing final edits and refinements for the software program
– Always making sure that the program is user-friendly
During the software development process, the following actions are performed:
– defining goals and specifications
– problem analysis
– design
– implementation of software
– testing
– maintenance
There are many software development companies today, but to make sure you make a good choice, focus on some of the following questions you should ask your potential software partner.
Why is this project necessary to improve my business strategy?
It is the job of every successful outsourcing company to recognize the needs of the client, and they will find out best by asking you questions. Questions are asked about business models, as well as revenue models, whether and in what way the application affects business, and so on. So, prepare well to give the most accurate answers possible. The more information you provide, the more success you can expect in the further development of your business strategy.
How do I achieve long-term application maintenance?
It is not uncommon for companies to plan long-term maintenance of their software project, which does not mean that it is not necessary. Long-term support is quite beneficial for clients that do not have a technical support team in-house. As a team, it is important to talk about it.
Do you have experience with similar projects?
It is said that a successful businessman consists of 1/3rd of the knowledge acquired through schooling and 2/3rds of practice. According to GoodCore Software Limited, most IT companies work in different sectors and, therefore, it is advisable to choose one that has already had experience in projects similar to yours. Of course, this may not be crucial in your decision, because real professionals are capable of developing a good idea even without previous experience, but it is certainly something that instills additional confidence. A successful software development company will know how to apply their previous knowledge to your project.
Can I see your portfolio and references?
The portfolio, references, and testimonials will say a lot about the previous work of the software development company. By looking at their previous work, you will have a clearer picture of whether that company is exactly what you are looking for. If you notice hesitation in them showing portfolios and experiences of previous clients, chances are high that something is wrong, and it would be better to look for another IT company.
What is your development workflow like?
Software development is a lengthy process and it is important the other party must have a rough idea of the time planned for the realization of the project. The exchange of information during this period is crucial. Take into consideration that the project manager of a software development vendor should give you access to project management or collaboration tools like Trello or Jira that help you monitor the development process more transparently.
Who owns the application?
It once happened that a certain organization noticed that a competing company was using the same personalized application. Embarrassing, isn’t it? To avoid conflicts of interest over time, determine who the application belongs to. In essence, the customized software belongs to the company that paid for it, but there may be exceptions here as well, so it is important to include an ownership clause in the contract to avoid unwanted inconveniences.
Is my business model clear to you?
It is the development team that must understand what you, as their client, really want, as well as what your target group is, because only in that way can a certain product be built and presented. If your external development partner doesn’t show enough interest in your business, chances are that the project will go in the wrong direction. To avoid this, serious, successful companies hire a business analyst or project manager who understands the nuances of a client organization’s business model before work is started on the project.
