Custom applications are specially crafted in a software design process according to the particular requirements that are established in-house with the help of expertise or by contract with a third party. This is achieved through several stages of custom software development in Perth.
Example of a Custom Software Development Process
“Firm A” (a construction manufacturing and management company) handles large projects across the length and breadth of the country.
They deploy skilled labor forces to remote sites, and these workers are away for long periods.
They wanted to foster a robust corporate culture while expanding employee experience, learning, and support models.
Custom software requirements
• Create a custom application that boosts employee productivity and efficiency of business processes.
• Devise an app that increases employee engagement, communicates HR benefits, and generates better workflow automation/utilization.
• A dashboard that improves project flow along with a simplified view of KPIs relevant to the business.
Development Life Cycle Phases
Firm A should understand that the program development process involves various phases of the system development cycle. Each step in this development life cycle gives rise to the end product required by the next stage in the sequence.
#1 Understanding the essential requirements & scope
While we have a broad idea of what Firm A needs, specifics such as the number of employees at remote sites, duration, and longevity at a particular site need to be noted.
Several meetings must be held with a development company to discuss the software development process requirements in detail.
This will serve as a forum for experts to learn specifications, focus on the particular goals that need to be achieved with the software, consider the other stakeholders who will be using it, why, etc.
After this discovery phase, the software development company can pick the most efficient approach to ensure the project is carried out with minimum risks.
#2 Analysis of Requirements and Brainstorming
A thorough review of all the information gathered enables the development team to address Firm A‘s needs optimally.
Firm A and the development team commence documentation. For example, it could be named a “Business Requirement Document” or a “Software Requirement Specification” document on which the final solution development will be based. Approval of the document by both sides is a must before moving on to the next phase.
This helps mitigate misunderstandings between Firm A and the software development company. This will also serve as a roadmap for the phase-by-phase development of the final solution.
#3 Coding, Architecture and Technical Design
Custom software development in Perth requires a unique approach tailored to the requirements of a client. In this development phase, the architecture of Firm A’s software is designed and includes the structure of the necessary modules specified in the document.
The design outcome is based on essential aspects such as budget, time constraints, design modularity, resource availability, and risk assessment. In addition, firm A can request external designs, mock-up interfaces, and screens to understand how the solution will pan out.
#4 Development and Implementation
This software development process stage is usually the longest as it involves building the actual solution in line with the design considerations from the established agreement in step 1.
Once components such as system requirements, architecture, and wireframe are in place, executing the plan should be much easier and faster.
It is highly recommended to have an agile development methodology that includes short iterative meetings wherein every development team member reports glitches and issues encountered along the process. This technique enhances the smooth functioning of workflows and improves productivity.
#5 Testing
Once the software is developed and released, Firm A must carry out this testing phase. This involves the dedicated developer team carrying out various functional and non-functional testing types.
Since the primary stakeholders are those employed at the site, they must highlight features and functionalities that could be improved upon, etc. The core application itself needs to be checked out for function, text input, and localized machine installation. It should also be evaluated for all other aspects, such as security and scalability.
Bugs and lapses will be fixed and go through repeat testing. Firm A should ensure that this process continues until the quality of the given solution matches the original requirements.
#6 Training, Deployment, and Maintenance
A product launch is likely to uncover issues that are addressed on the fly or set aside to be systematically resolved later.
It is important to note that custom development companies will also support the application post-release. Users will be trained to use the software after it is installed on the company computers. Gradually, the integration of this application with existing systems can be identified and implemented.
Conclusion
Custom software development uses technology to solve specific problems for a business. Firm A posed the right questions, checked all the boxes, and found the right service provider to develop a custom software application to address its unique requirements.
Ultimately, the software development process generated an application that increased employee engagement communicated HR benefits, and created better automation/utilization for workflow.
Customized dashboards not only improved the project flow but also provided the management team with a simplified view of the essential KPIs of the business.
Following a systematic and regimental process to developing a custom software application can tide over the hidden costs of adapting to the new system, help to integrate with existing systems, improve ROI, and ultimately allow scalability.