7 Critical Steps in A Custom Software Development Process
The life cycle of custom software development can become a complex process. That is why it’s necessary to take note of the most important steps for a successful project.
In a world where tech advancement is a competitive advantage, developing custom software is a necessity. Unlike commercial shelf software, custom software development is the process of building a product to meet the specific needs of a business or an individual client.
Due to its distinct features, it is considered as one of the efficient software solutions for companies and independent service providers. The development of custom software involves a rigorous and highly intelligent process.
It starts with the analysis and conceptualization and ends with its implementation. At times, a software maintenance procedure is also incorporated within a project’s course.
And if you’re just starting your bespoke software development journey, start familiarizing the life cycle of customized software development through the overview below.
It starts with the analysis and conceptualization and ends with its implementation. At times, a software maintenance procedure is also incorporated within a project’s course.
And if you’re just starting your bespoke software development journey, start familiarizing the life cycle of customized software development through the overview below.
7 Critical Steps for Custom Software Development Process
Project Goals and Business Requirements Collection
The initial phase defines goals and requirements. At this point, the initial cost, milestones, business needs, and specific timelines are also set. Doing so will increase the likelihood of a project proceeding with minimum risks and more success.
What happens at this stage?
- Set client meetings to discuss proper expectations.
- Gather all project requirements to help designers and developers understand detailed software product specifications and goals.
- Set client meetings to discuss proper expectations
- Gather all project requirements to help designers and developers understand detailed software products specifications and goals
Business Requirements Analysis and Project Planning
Most software development companies say that this is the most crucial stage of a project. Proper analysis will help create one good foundation in converting goals into actionable plans.
What happens at this stage?
- Document your client’s business needs, budget, and technology requirements to make for every set to go well.
- Make the software requirement specification (SRS) document.
- Follow the SMART process in creating a management solution.
Software Design
Define how to achieve the project goals along with the pros and cons of the proposed plans based on the costs and preferred technology of the client.
Remember that each custom software may require a particular approach. Therefore, designing the visual and technical system architecture should be performed carefully.
What happens at this stage?
- Revisit the SRS document as the design of the new software modules is mentioned in it.
- Consider the parameters for design modularity and risk assessment.
- Build the external software for deliverables, such as wireframes, marvel prototype, database design, database schema, user stories, and high-fidelity screens.
Software Development
Software development is the longest phase of the project. Following the terms of the SRS document, developers will now start programming the software.
Every software development company works on an angle depending on the software development model. But most software development and solutions providers work with the agile methodology, which involves daily scrum meetings for updates from each team member.
What happens at this stage?
- Development team members report progress for each of their assigned tasks.
- In case of issues, the team will discuss a proper software solution.
Software Testing
Testers from the software development company and the client’s team perform various ways of functional and non-functional testing. In case bugs are detected, they need to be fixed efficiently in consideration of the allotted time and money.
And the software needs to be tested again until it meets the quality standard.
What happens at this stage?
- Testing of new core application functions, installation on localized machines, and compatibility on numerous devices.
- Testing of software visual systems whether they support the various business criteria set in the SRS.
Software Deployment
After tests are successful, the software project is ready for release. During its deployment, unforeseen issues may come up from time to time.
Based on their priority level, these issues need to be scheduled for fixes right away or planned for improvements later on.
Maintenance
Most software development companies also handle services for system upgrades and build additional functionalities after deployment.
If applicable, both the client and the developer should define the terms of the maintenance service they want in the work contract.
We build custom software with modern solutions in mind for any business and sizes!
We build custom software with modern solutions in mind for any business and sizes!
5 Best Practices for Custom Software Development
Avoid any vague terms when setting goals and requirements. It’s better to define details to elude misunderstanding along the way. And don’t forget to include all the points in your updated SRS document, which will serve as a guide throughout the process.
Custom software development can become complicated vs off the shelf software development. It is recommended that both the development team and the client agree on a methodology. As mentioned above, most developers nowadays use agile methodology.
The added benefit of allowing continuous improvements to the software during development makes it popular among developers.
Before starting the development work, get the complete documentation. It includes project plan, SRS document, user documentation, users status report, low- and high-level design, and test plans and work reports.
Save yourself from many stressful fixes during deployment. Always perform continuous end-to-end testing to ensure code quality.
To avoid issues within the development process and third-party maintenance, the team or development company must use a consistent style for the codebase.
There are various tools in the market that you can use, such as JSCS, ESLint, and Editorconfig.
We build custom software with modern solutions in mind for any business and sizes!
We build custom software with modern solutions in mind for any business and sizes!
Key Takeaways
The life cycle of custom software development is a thorough and highly intelligent process. The seven critical steps mentioned above are followed regardless of the methodology chosen for a project.
Every phase controls and manages the creation of the product that meets specific requirements. Moreover, the best practices listed here can help you achieve more success.
If you are looking for a team with expertise in custom software development services, contact Laneways Software & Digital for more company details.
Our team can build custom software using advanced technologies to make specific solutions for your software applications. Get in touch with us today!
Jerome Rault
Partner with a software development team one that's passionate about creating success
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