Updated November 9, 2021
All successful development projects have three major things in common: 1) they fulfill a need or business requirement; 2) they adhere to expectations and are delivered both on time and on budget; and 3) they accomplish a clear business goal, providing both inherent value as well as tangible ROI.
Software development is best compared to a well-oiled machine. With so many moving parts, it’s important to identify the pieces that are required to keep it running smoothly and effectively, and to remedy anything that could potentially halt or break the machine.
Over virtual coffee, we asked our developers and our project delivery team to share their views on what makes a successful project and what all project team members should focus on in order to make their projects a success. Here’s what they had to say:
The biggest reason we encourage an approach is that it allows you and your team to launch your core feature set without over investing in secondary features, then collect valuable information on your Users to inform your product roadmap with minimal effort and spend. Through careful observation, and by eliminating distractions and other variables, you can get a clear idea of how Users behave when using your product. These learnings are critical to understanding the direction you want to take your product and will help you build and follow an effective product roadmap. Furthermore, it’s a product management best practice in the software industry.
Here’s how to lean into a MVP development approach:
If followed effectively, taking an MVP approach to product development sets you up for future success; you’re effectively investing in the features that make the biggest impact on your business, first.
This is always easier said than done, but no doubt, achieving organizational alignment in a cross-functional working dynamic will make your project more successful. By following an MVP approach, you’re already going through the important exercises that help you distill your messaging, goals, and product requirements down, but what happens next?
Assuming you’ve picked an app developer, and clearly communicated your business goals and product requirements, here’s what you can expect next:
Many software developers work in an Agile environment, while some work in a hybrid Agile and waterfall sprint format. AppIt’s 4 step process is straightforward -- 1. Discover, 2. Design, 3. Develop, 4. Deploy. But what about the steps within steps, and what does all of the development terminology around the process really mean? Understanding how app development timelines and deliverables work together is important in setting proper expectations and understanding where your input and feedback is critical to moving forward.
Here’s a general idea of what to expect when working with AppIt:
For questions about our development process as well as our document deliverables, visit our process page.
Not unique to the software industry, communication is the single-most critical factor for any project. Without effective communication, seemingly small details are missed, and a minor misinterpretation could lead to additional costs and drawn out timelines. Remember, you are the ultimate owner of your product. Our job is to bring your vision to life, so the more concisely you can communicate your business requirements, feedback (both negative and positive), and overall objectives throughout the development process, the happier you will be with your final product.
Here’s how to hold yourself and a developer accountable to being a great communicator on a project:
Of course, in addition to these 4 major components of a successful development project, there are many other factors that can affect the overall prosperity of a project (download the full list of factors to save your company significant time and money).
For additional resources, you can also check out our New eBook, “Mobile App Development: Estimating Project Cost and Timelines,” or contact us today for a fully disclosed and complimentary consultation.
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