Most organizations start custom software development projects with planned budgets, expectations, and deliverables. However, projects rarely take a straight and narrow path to completion.
Most IT executives expect some hiccups in the software development process. Yet, you can improve your success rate by following best management practices, as we do at InApp. These practices help you ensure your project is delivered on time, within budget, and with minimal surprises.
Here are 9 tips to make your custom software development project successful:
Plan Thoroughly
Planning fallacy describes a common optimistic prediction bias where people underestimate the time and budget for a project. It’s important to have realistic expectations.
Plan thoroughly to keep the team focused on its tasks and goals. Also, ensure continuous assessment of project progress through objective oversight. It’ll help you in identifying failure indicators and intervening to accommodate changes and adjust milestones.
Hold Frequent Meetings
Hold frequent meetings between your team and the custom software development team. Then, follow up on any roadblocks that might slow down the progress of your project. It’ll save resources and speed up the overall process.
Overcome Time Zone Differences
Resolve any time zone issues between your team and the developers. It’ll help with communication flow, which is essential for the success of a project.
Plan for Mistakes
To err is human, so expect mistakes. Unanticipated issues should be analyzed and worked out with clarity and without emotions.
Communication
All team members must communicate effectively within their defined and allocated roles. Make sure everyone understands these roles and has the tools to make communication as easy as possible.
Report Project Status Regularly
The project manager should report the status of their project transparently and proactively. Identify, align, and monitor project tasks continuously to maintain smooth progress.
Adopt Agile Management Practices
Agile project management is an incremental approach to delivering a project throughout its life cycle. This approach is frequently used in custom software development projects to promote velocity and adaptability since you can adjust as you go along rather than following a linear path. One of the aims of an agile or iterative approach is to release benefits throughout the process rather than only at the end.
Use Modern Project Planning Tools
Go for modern development platforms, including agile project management as described above. It’ll allow for rapid development and timely release of new features.
Beta Test
Once the project (or a project milestone) is ready, release it to an internal team for beta testing. After getting input, fix any issues. Then, release the product to a small number of trusted users. Beta testing ensures quality and confidence in your product for the final release.
Custom software development is a highly collaborative and complex process. In our globalized world where teams work across continents and cultures, some hiccups are bound to occur. These tips will help you get back on track—and stay there.
If you have any questions, contact us.
Do you think investing in custom software development is an unnecessary expense? Please read our blog to understand how you will be actually saving money through custom software development.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does custom software make sense?
Custom software facilitates the effective management of your growing organization by providing functions to meet your specific business requirements. It can be useful for business productivity, helping you maintain competitiveness and consistent revenue growth.
What makes a custom software development project successful?
- Planning thoroughly before embarking on a project
- Fostering effective communication
- Using modern project management tools
- Thoroughly testing custom software before release
What are the advantages of custom software development?
Customization, flexibility, security, and cost-effectiveness are some of the advantages of customized software, as discussed here.
What are custom software development best practices?
The first requirement in software development is being mentally prepared. Second is the use of robust and empowering project methodologies that will help you identify and resolve strategic and intangible issues. And third, is managing human factors through open and frequent communication. If you follow these best management practices, you’ll increase the chance of success for your custom software development project.
