Ever feel like off-the-shelf software just doesn't quite fit your business’s needs? You're not alone! Custom Software development can be your secret weapon to boost efficiency, improve productivity, and propel your business forward. Studies by McKinsey reveal that a whopping 71% of customers expect companies to provide a personalised experience. Conversely, a staggering 76% get frustrated when businesses fail to deliver.
This highlights the importance of custom software development in creating a user experience that feels tailored and meets individual needs.
But where do you even begin?
Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here's a handy 7-step guide to walk you through the custom software development process with our step-by-step guide.
First things first, get clear on what you want to achieve. Do some internal soul searching, reach out to your teams, brainstorm - do what you need to do to try and understand what you want to achieve with your custom software development investment.
Here are some questions we suggest including in your planning sessions:
Here's a tip: Use the SMART method to set clear goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals will keep you on track.
Choosing the right development partner is crucial for turning your software dreams into reality.
Here's a systematic approach to make this important decision:
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to finding a development partner who not only has the technical skills but also understands your business goals and can contribute to your overall success.
Now that you know your destination, it’s time to plan the journey.
The discovery phase is all about working closely with your chosen provider to refine your requirements, identify any potential roadblocks, and define the project's scope. Your provider will spend this time working with you to understand your business, what your challenges are and what the things are that uniquely define you.
Consideration should be placed on your budget and timelines, and how existing technology can be utilised in meeting your goals. Think of this as creating a detailed roadmap for your custom software development project.
Not sure what your development company is talking about during meetings? Make sure you’re both speaking the same code, and maximising the opportunities offered through feedback loops.
This is where the magic happens! Skilled software engineers will translate your scoped requirements into code, bringing your solution to life.
Most software teams will make use of an Agile approach to developing your solution. This makes use of the ‘Scrum’ framework where the work structure is broken down into a two-week cycle, known as a ‘Sprint’. Why 2 weeks you may ask? Because it strikes a balance between productivity and flexibility - giving teams manageable workloads whilst also allowing for frequent feedback loops.
During this phase, the focus will be on building the core functionalities that make your software tick. Ensuring smooth integration and rigorous testing to eliminate any bugs is essential. Think of this as meticulously crafting your software, piece by piece.
Before you set your software loose on the world, it is best to put it through its paces.
This is where your software team will make use of Quality Assurance Testing (QAT) and User Acceptance Testing (UAT). Their inclusion is designed to ensure a few specific operational goals:
Both QAT and UAT are essential components for the delivery of a successful software project. They provide progressive and context-specific testing to ensure that you end up with a good quality piece of software that works as needed.
Launching your custom software isn't just about flipping a switch – it's about ensuring a seamless transition for your team and your business. Here's what a successful launch looks like:
Remember, a successful launch is just the beginning. By prioritising user feedback and making iterative improvements, your custom software will continue to evolve and deliver value long after its initial deployment.
Your custom software is up and running, and your business is soaring! But just like any high-performance machine, it needs regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Ongoing maintenance keeps your software up-to-date, addresses any emerging needs, and optimises performance for continued success.
Custom software solutions are not “set and forget” implementations, but they are rather dynamic tools that will evolve alongside your business.
Building a strong, ongoing relationship with your software provider is essential. What this will ensure, is that you have a reliable partner who will help you navigate any issues, answer questions and help adapt the software to your changing requirements. Typically this is done through ongoing contracts with your provider, this will facilitate continuous improvements and expansions of your solution. Making sure it grows with your business and that it remains aligned with your goals.
Investing in ongoing support and maintenance fosters a long-term partnership that keeps your software a robust and valuable asset to your business.
Your custom software journey may differ slightly from the above depending on your requirements, the team you select to support you etc - but it will roughly follow these phases.
Investing in custom software might seem daunting initially, but it’s important to remember that this is an ongoing investment with benefits that include, but are not limited to: