10 Steps on Development of Custom Software

Do you have an idea of developing a new software solution that meets the specific needs of your business? To make this a reality, you need to understand that you need to partner with a reputable development company and understand the process of developing custom software. While searching for the best outsourcing company, you should be concerned about some areas where outsourcing human resources are cheap. Custom development is not a simple project as there are many things that are required before the process begins.

If it is your first time developing custom software, it is obvious that the scope of the expected tasks may worry you. However, things will seem much easier and clearer when you understand all the 10 steps on developing custom software.

What Is Custom Software Development?

Custom software development is the process of designing, creating, deploying, and maintaining software tailored to the specific requirements of specific businesses, business functions, or users. Custom software development can be used to create a wide range of applications, including web, mobile, and desktop applications.

Custom software development adheres to the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle), focusing on a specific set of user requirements. In contrast, off-the-shelf software addresses broader business needs, such as Microsoft Office for productivity and Sitebuilder.com for website creation.

10 Steps to on Development of Custom Software

1. Brainstorming and Conceptualizing the Idea

When developing custom software, you will have to start off with all the ideas on the table. Then, narrow down and create a concrete plan by the end of this step and also filtration through several sub-stages.

2. Planning

The second stage in custom software development is the conceptualization of the idea and planning. All custom software development projects proceed to this stage after conceptualization of ideas and brainstorming. The idea of building software comes as a solution to address issues that arise in an industry or business. The custom software development company needs to create a new solution to the issues rather than turning to the available software options.

Planning involves assessing the entire project to determine the drawbacks and possible benefits of the project. The planning stage also focuses on the specific problem, gathering the necessary information and a review of the data that is already available. However, as you start your planning, you need to have the following things in mind:

• This stage requires proper communication, which involves transparent conversations between all the stakeholders, project team, and end-users involved in the process.
• Should be preceded by brainstorming of the ideas to ensure that the plan captures all that is expected in the project.

Additionally, you need to start gathering hard evidence that allows you to make informed decisions on how your project should run. The evidence helps you justify the ideas on the product that you intend to build. This enables you to avoid implementing a project that may not offer the expected results or result in a wastage of money. Planning also allows you to be more informed, which means that you are more likely to avoid experiencing any serious issues in the future. Panning and careful supervision are also crucial if you practice outsourcing overseas, like the nowadays popular nearshore software development in Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, etc. Make sure you’re always on the same page with your international team.

3. System Analysis

System analysis aims to explore the software development idea from a business executive trying to avoid making a bad investment. This is basically a feasibility study that allows you to determine whether your idea is viable. In this stage, you will have to develop the rest of the idea and also find other ways to justify its development. The phase mainly involves outlining the design as well as development stages later.

However, before you begin the analysis process, it is important to understand that:

• System analysis involves adding more details on the step above. Thus, the whole software system will be defined at this phase, including preparing a blueprint of every other phase.
• The scope of work divides the entire project into small modules, which form easily defined tasks at each stage and ensure that these tasks are managed properly to avoid anything from slipping through the cracks.
• Breaking the project into smaller parts that includes easily defined tasks is important in custom software development. This is because the process involves many parties, including developers, project managers, client-collaborators, designers, and much more. The breakdown of the project into parts also benefits those who work on the project in the later stages.

4. System Design

The phase involves creating a fully developed design of the custom software. Basically, this is where all the design takes place before the development team starts working on the project. In most cases, the development team is also involved in this case as it needs to coordinate resources and set up systems.

Additionally, you also need to have a usable plan for your software before the end of the design process. This includes how the software looks, how it functions and how it is built.

5. Development and Coding

The phase is where the software is assembled. Therefore, it involves a number of processes, including setting up infrastructure and coding. It also involves preparing documentation that defines how the software system works. Still, developers can work closely with the designers to make sure that the developed product aligns with their designs and can make use of the sprint planning template for project planning. If there is a problem with the work, the developers can work with the designers to develop a solution.

However, in this stage, you need to remember:

• Coders start working on the project once the wireframe software is laid out. Laying the wireframe and coding represents the bulk of any software project as it is where the foundation of the software is established. The coding phase is where the ideas in the early stages become a reality.
• The scope of work developed in the planning and designing stages determines how the coding tasks are allocated (task allocation). Task allocation represents a subdivision of labor that enables programmers to understand the areas of code that are assigned to them. This helps maximize efficiency.

6. Testing

When the development and coding are completed, the custom software may now proceed to system testing. At this stage, the software is well-tested and later released to the public to get their feedback. While testing the software, the QA team relies on tools such as automated testers. These tools allow them to try scenarios that would help them find issues in the software. However, before beginning this phase, it important to have this in mind:

• After coding and development, the software is then sent to the QA team, where it is thoroughly tested for any errors. A certain number of issues are likely to be uncovered in successful tests. These glitches are repaired before the product goes to users to determine their experiences.
• Once every test on the product proves there is no error to be uncovered, the software is then sent to the next step for implementation.

7. Implementation/Launch

Once the product is ready, and without any errors, it is then launched. This allows customers to get the experience of using the product and give their feedback.

8. Support

During the launch of the product, the support customers work closely with the support teams of developers and designers. The two teams work on collecting data on issues and ideas on what users want. This allows the teams to come up with solutions and make corrections to meet all the customers’ needs. However, you need to remember that:

• The implementation stage marks the last stage in the product’s lifecycle. The stage involves real use of the product by the companies and clients to help them adapt to it upon its launch.
• If any error is uncovered during this phase, it is reported to the QA team, who works with the developers and designers to patch a solution. Once the product is tested for the prearranged time and operated without any error, it is now ready for deployment. Or if its showing errors you can always connect with the developers as there are a lot of available in software development in latin america.

9. Deployment

The deployment stage marks the last step in custom software development, and it aims at putting the software into production. In this stage, the product is now ready for use in a real environment. All users can now use it. However, there are different phases that the project team needs to follow to make sure the technology and code are deployed appropriately. These phases include preparation, deployment procedures, product deployment, transfer of product ownership, and closing the deployment stage. In most cases, the ownership is transferred to the business, but the team of programmers is left with the responsibility of maintaining it.

10. Maintenance

The maintenance stage occurs after the software product is fully operational. Software product maintenance includes software repairs, upgrades, and fixes of the product in case it breaks. Software applications need to be integrated with the new systems that the customer deploys and also upgraded regularly. The development team handles any defects and errors uncovered in the phase. The phase also focuses on monitoring the performance of the product.

Benefits of Custom Software Development

Custom software development provides a competitive advantage by creating technology solutions to match business requirements. Here are some specific benefits of custom software development:

The Unique Solution Belongs Only To Your Business

Custom software development offers businesses a unique solution that belongs to them only.

Enterprises have the capability to control and manage software functions, data, and the difficulties of development methodologies.

With customized software, businesses can make changes anytime they want, add important information, and implement feedback from customers. Promoting interactive relationships not only enhances credibility but also consolidates customer loyalty, ensuring long-term success for your business.

Unlimited Options

Custom software development provides businesses with unlimited options to choose from. They consist of the technology stack, programming language, and development methodology. This means that businesses can choose the tools that work best for them rather than being limited to a specific set of tools.

Custom software development also allows businesses to integrate their software with other systems and applications, allowing them to create a seamless workflow that improves efficiency and productivity.

Personalized Solution

Individualized customer interactions play a pivotal role in shaping the success of businesses. By providing more personalized solutions, companies can build stronger connections and elevate satisfaction levels. Therefore, businesses can increase customer loyalty. This emphasizes the tangible impact of customization on promoting lasting relationships.

Software Integration

Businesses can seamlessly integrate new software into their existing systems through custom software development, optimizing and refining their operational processes. This approach contrasts with Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software, which may lead to errors and, as a result, a loss in productivity.

Investing in software solutions helps reduce integration issues and easily fits any business’s software ecosystem.

Security System

Off-the-shelf software is easy to hack due to its open-source code, making it vulnerable to hackers and attackers. On the other hand, custom-developed software, with its closed-source nature, may provide heightened security. It limits access to the source code and reduces the exposure of potential vulnerabilities.

However, it is important to recognize that no system can be considered completely immune to security breaches, and the effectiveness of security measures depends on a multifaceted approach.

Scalability

Scalability is a crucial benefit of custom software development. Custom software can be scaled up or down depending on the business needs. It allows businesses to adjust their software to meet their specific requirements.

And if businesses are smart, they are fully aware that scalability is essential for businesses that are growing rapidly or that experience fluctuations in demand. Custom software can be designed to handle increased workloads effectively, ensuring that response times remain acceptable, the system remains stable, and no blockages hinder performance.

Increased Reliability

Purchasing off-the-shelf software makes your business depend on the developer company. Factors such as pricing, terms, and the business’s future lie beyond your control. If the company goes bankrupt or ceases product updates, you will have a nerve-racking time finding a new software provider within a limited timeframe.

Custom software allows you unlimited flexibility to use it according to your preferences. Despite maintenance costs, the overall peace of mind that custom solutions bring will far outweigh significant concerns associated with off-the-shelf alternatives.

Hardware Costs

Licensing off-the-shelf software can often lead to unexpected costs, requiring additional hardware purchases for optimal performance. In contrast, custom software is created to align seamlessly with existing hardware capabilities, resulting in potential cost savings.

This approach not only addresses your specific business needs but also avoids the imposition of adapting to pre-existing solutions. Therefore, it will enhance adaptability to your unique processes, contributing to a smoother implementation.

Fast Changes

Custom software can be changed quickly to meet the changing business requirements. This means that businesses can efficiently adapt to market trends, customer demands, and changes.

Fast changes are achieved by designing software with flexibility. Custom software’s modular design encourages easy addition or removal of features without system impact. Besides, custom software can also be easily configurable, with settings that can be changed on the fly to meet changing business requirements.

Final Thoughts

Custom development is a complex process that requires a detailed plan and resources to complete. It also requires the client to work closely with the programmers in delivering the desired product. The steps discussed above help understand what the entire process entails. Additionally, understanding these steps ensures that you avoid common pitfalls that may delay or cause any losses in the development of the product. It also ensures that you are lost in the journey of securing a high-quality product.

Author bio: Thanh (Bruce) Pham strives to deliver successful projects maximising value for the Client by clearly establishing the project objectives and risks, controlling the programs and costs and proactively managing the project teams. Although Saigon Technology’s professionals are from a range of IT Software Development backgrounds, Thanh also seeks to ensure that they are multi-disciplined and that they are appreciative of the larger market picture of both the software development industry and of the business of the Clients that Saigon Technology is serving.