Understanding the Stages of Software Development Process
The rise of technology has massively impacted on customer preferences. It has also changed the way how businesses and customers interact with each other. For any company to thrive in the competition, they need to engage in software development with the objective to build a platform or tool through which they can interact with their customers, share information, and provide the solution.
Software development includes a number of processes that ultimately leads to the development of a fully-functional software that supports clients’ business objectives. All these processes of software development are a part of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) that frame the model for the entire development process.
Typical SDLC stages that involve planning, requirements gathering & analysis, design, development & implementation, testing, and maintenance is followed by all the software development service providers. However, within a project, a software development company in India or anywhere else can follow its own process to make the project successful.
As a business owner, it is extremely essential for you to be aware of the Software Development Process, which will help you to adhere to the time and budget for building the software.
To help you out, we have outlined the different stages of the Software Development Process to develop software based on your requirements.
6 Stages of Software Development Process
The stages of software development processes mentioned here are standard and usually followed by all the software development service providers in India. The process of software development services in India or anywhere else is quite similar, but you need to check with your custom software development company before hiring.
Listed below are the different stages of the software development lifecycle
1. Planning
At this stage, the idea for software is commenced. Here you have to rethink and plan why your business needs the software application and what business goals you want to achieve with the software. You have to make sure that your software idea is unique and must prove an effective tool to resolve the pain points of your customers or help you overcome business challenges.
2. Requirement Gathering & Analysis
In-depth user research along with market analysis, which also reflects where your app will stand in the future comes under Requirement Gathering & Analysis.
While requirement gathering & analysis, you have to consider many factors such as research about users’ preferences, analyzing designs that are relevant to users, and understanding the different forms of ROI.
At this stage, you also need to hire a software development company that has profound experience in developing the kind of software having features and functions in line with your requirements. Make sure to avoid common mistakes companies commit while hiring a technology team, as hiring the wrong company could prove fatal for your business.
3. Software Design
Software design is extremely important as it is through the design your users interact with your business. Poor software design could frustrate the users and provide a bad experience to them.
A software development firm must have a dedicated team of designers that is capable of design thinking—a human-centered approach by integrating the needs of people and using the possibility of technology, while considering the business process requirement.
4. Software Development & Implementation
This is where the coding or programming begins to make your ideas a viable product. Being a crucial phase of SDLC, software programming requires a talented team of developers having a good understanding of technology stack essential for front-end and back-end development.
At this stage of SDLC, a wide range of integrations are done, which needs careful implementation.
5. Software Testing
Once the code is completed and integrations are done, software developers hand-over the product to testers to find the bugs and help in fixing the bugs. Quality analysts have a crucial role to play, as it is their responsibility to ensure that customer receives the software product in the best condition.
6. Installation and Maintenance
Software installation is the final stage of the development process, which followed by maintenance—an extended part and that any company providing software development services in the USA or anywhere else can provide software maintenance services. But it is recommended to take the software maintenance services from the same company, as they will have a better idea of software’s architecture.
Final Thoughts
All the stages of the Software Development process are essential and therefore followed by IT outsourcing companies throughout the globe, of course, some differences will always be there, depending on the project. If you wish to hire a software development team, take a close look at the SDLC followed by them along with the engagement model options provided by them.
Also Read: SDLC Models & Methodologies
