Software Development Process for Tech Startups and Enterprises

Using software technology has helped individuals and businesses simplify daily tasks. It boosts productivity and quality of work. Many businesses have thrived because of these technological advancements.

Many tech startups and enterprises utilize software to improve their product and services. However, using the right software requires proper planning and the right execution.

This is where your software development process comes in. With this, you can determine the best software or programs for your organization.

What is a Software Development Process?

The Key Activities of Software Development Process

Developing software is not an easy task. In most cases, development teams work hand-in-hand with the clients to make sure that they’re on the same page. Here, both parties need to weigh their options and discuss the groundwork. These include different software features, goals, risk assessments, and other important details.

The following are the main activities of the Software Development Process:

Meeting for Conditions and Requirements - This is the part where both the team and clients meet for the project management. They will discuss what the software needs and its functionalities. They should also decide the scope of the project, especially the budget and tools.
Software Design and Application - The development team will design and develop the software based on the requirements that were agreed on.
Testing and Validation - In this part, the team have already implemented the project. They have to check whether they have complied with the specific functions that the product and business requires.
Maintenance - In this stage, the team has finished verifying the project. The software is now ready to use. They now have to maintain and scale the software. It is their duty to make the software adjust to the business' new needs, as well as unavoidable tech developments.

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Many of life’s activities can be spontaneous, but the whole creation and running a functioning software should not be. It should follow a set of processes and a Software Development Life Cycle to be on the right track while doing the project.

The Software Development Life Cycle refers to the whole cycle of the development process. It involves the full steps from the start of the project to the end and the maintenance of it.

The Stages of SDLC:

Planning

The planning stage is the most important. The team cannot move on to the next steps if they did not carry out this stage properly.

In this stage, the clients and development team determine the size of the project. Project management takes place. They plan the project based on the client’s budget and the business’ products and services.

It is also on this stage where they check the available resources and team members that they would need for the project.

Analysis and Requirements

This is the part where the team digs deeper into the client’s product and services. They analyze the business’ objectives, goals, and the solutions it needs to provide.

This is also the stage where they check the feasibility of the whole project. They need to recognize the risks involved and the methods they should apply to the whole software development process.

Design

Another crucial stage before the main software development is Software design. The team puts into perspective the solutions that are based on their client’s product or service. It also sets the whole workflow, process, and structure that they should follow when bringing the solutions together.

The design phase is also where the team creates models of the software. These models help them decide which components and tools they should use for the project.

They check the potential of the structure and process they will employ for the software development stage. They have to make sure that everything they will apply is relevant to their client’s product or service.

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Software Development

Software development is the main event. This is where the team applies its design, analysis, and plans for the software. The team codes and transforms their design into one functioning software. This part heavily relies on previous stages. If the team designed the plans well, software development would be a success.

Testing

This is the part where the team tests the software to see if there are errors, bugs, or problems in it. This stage is also where they validate whether the software fits the needs of their client’s business.

Deployment

In this stage, the team will install and implement the software’s end product. They now transform the developed application into a product for use. This is the part where they launch the software. It will be ready for use by the client and their customers.

Maintenance

In this stage, the software product is already running and is enjoyed by many. But it doesn’t mean that it can avoid threats. Change is also the only constant thing in the tech world. Teams should maintain the software so that it always runs smoothly and adapts to every advancement in technology.

Software Development Processes

Software development cannot be spontaneous. That is the reason why there are set types of processes that development teams should follow. Having a set process helps teams work more efficiently and productively.

Waterfall

By the name itself, the Waterfall Model flows like a waterfall from top to bottom. The workflow is a sequence that starts from Planning up to the Maintenance stage.

This model does not allow changes in different stages. Development teams should ensure that they carefully execute each of the steps because they are not allowed to revisit them.

The Waterfall model is only recommended for fixed software development. An example is an off-the-shelf and commercial software where there is no need for scaling and adjustments.

Agile and Scrum

Agile and Scrum is the most flexible method among the Software development processes. Agile and Scrum method’s workflow is as a circle or wheel. That’s because teams can back to each SDLC stage if there’s a need.

Agile and Scrum also focuses on each team member and their certain task. Its process allows feedback and communication. Thus, it helps teams work more efficiently on the project as a whole.

Because of its flexibility and efficiency, Agile and Scrum are viewed as the best development process. It is the most widely-used process in tech development.

Incremental and Iterative

The Incremental and Iterative processes are the mix between the Agile and Scrum model and the Waterfall model. They have a set of process rules that teams should follow. At the same time, teams can go back to each of them for the improvement of their functions.

The incremental process focuses on the main function of the software but adds more functions as the development progresses. The process allows changes. Teams are free to add on different requirements to improve the software.

The iterative process has a set of SDLC stages that teams chose to be in development. This framework allows repetitive use of the set stages until the developers can come up with the perfect one.

We build custom software with modern solutions in mind for any business and sizes!

The Common Problems and Solutions of Software Development Process

As with every endeavor, problems and issues cannot be avoided, especially in the highly logical and mathematical tech industry.

Problem: Undermining the Important Needs

Sometimes, teams are focused on the big picture or the end product that they forget what’s important.

Solution: Planning

On the Planning and Analysis Stages, the team should already identify the crucial aspects of the project. If they are already in the last stages, they should meet-up again and discuss which parts are more important.

Problem: Sudden and Late Changes

Sudden and late changes disrupt the flow of the project.

Solution: Choose the Right Model

The solution for this traces back to the planning and the type of software process the team should implement. The Agile and Scrum model allows teams to interrupt the flowchart of the whole process. Teams can always revisit each stage as long as they need it.

Problem: System and Development Issues, Testing Challenges, and Maintenance Problems

The system, Development, and Coding issues cannot be avoided. That’s why teams should apply common IT solutions for them.

Solution 1: Continuous Integration (CI) Automation

CI Automation refers to the automatic code changes and its integration. Since they are automatic, all the codes used by each team on the operation are all related and parallel to each other. The teams do not need to meet up and adjust to each other’s workflow.

Solution 2: Source Control

The teams should have a central source control storage where they save the crucial codes. Whenever a server bugs or fails, they can always go back to the source control. They can quickly bring back the codes they have been working on.

Laneways Software & Digital Develops Software with Efficiency and Transparency.

We work to provide a service that will sustain and boost your business needs.

We use the Agile and Scrum Process in developing software that is crucial to your business. The framework involves Transparency and Feedback for the overall efficiency of the application.

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