Software development is a complicated process that includes many stages. And many customers want to know better this process before they choose a company and let them be a developer of a new fascinating project.

This article was written to answer questions and clarify the situation concerning the development stages. Start reading it now to find out all the nuances!


Rough estimate
This is the first stage everything starts with. You need to estimate software project you want to create. Requirements analysts need to define all the requirements of your project, its features, and objectives. To make a rough estimate, requirements analysts need to know what platform software is created for – iOS, Android, or web.

Also, they need to know the scope of features, what third-party services may be used, design particularities, and personal customer’s demands.

When all these details are taken into account, RA creates a rough estimate that shows how many hours approximately might be spent on project development. As a rule, the rough estimate provides you with minimum and maximum time required for the development of each feature.

When you receive this estimate, you may calculate how much money it will take if you multiply the company’s hourly rate by a total development minimum and maximum time. Then it is up to you – whether you choose this company as the developer of your software, or you will look for cheaper options.

If you are ready to cooperate with this service provider, then you should know about the next stage.

Planning stage

At this stage, it is required to prepare specifications and wireframes. Without it, it will be impossible to draw up a detailed estimate and plan everything thoroughly before the development stage.

It is highly recommended to hold meetings as frequently as possible because these meetings make it possible to discuss all nuances and avoid any troubles during the development process.

Now, let’s explore the planning stage by each part in detail.

Specifications

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The specification is a must-have step since it includes a description of the project, its functionality, tech stack that will be used, and other technical details. Besides, it contains particularities of the interface.

In the specification, a user story may be added. A user story describes the process of each action, what is going to happen if a user clicks one or the other button, and so on. Specification helps project managers and customers understand the whole process from the beginning to the end.

Wireframes

A wireframe is some sketch or plan. It is a white and black scheme that shows how an app or website may look like in the future. Wireframes help the project management team coordinate design issues with a customer and get his or her approval to speed up UI/UX design processes. However, sometimes, customers have ready-made wireframes, and the company uses them to create a full-fledged design.

Detailed estimate

Third and final part of planning is a detailed estimate. As it is clear, you already get a precise estimation that includes final costs. Also, dependable companies consider possible risks, and they are added to estimate. It will prevent you from unpredictable expenses. Everything depends on the complexity of the software.

Contract signing

Once the planning stage is over, you need to decide whether you will keep on cooperating with a software development company or not. If you agree, then it is time to sign a contract. A contract stipulates all terms of cooperation, deadlines, expenses, legal issues, disputes settlement, and so on.

Besides, along with a contract, a non-disclosure agreement is signed to make sure that your idea won’t be copied or stolen. And then the development process is started!

Development process

The planning stage is completed, all documents are prepared, contract and NDA are signed, and this is where the development begins. A project manager chooses an appropriate methodology (like Agile) and forms a development team.

Agile as a methodology is used mostly today since it allows the project team to divide the development process into stages – so-called sprints. Once each sprint is done, a customer verifies it, and if everything is performed correctly, the customer approves it. And only after approval of each sprint, developers start working on the next one.

Planning

A project manager needs to discuss all technical particularities with a development team and build the plan of the development process from the beginning to the end.

UI/UX design

UI/UX designers create a design using wireframes that were submitted by a customer or created by the company’s designers. There are two options of UI/UX design – designers do it before the development, or they create design during the development process if there is a short deadline. Then mockups and prototypes of design are submitted to the customer for approval.

Development process

The mobile and web development team (in case you need both web and mobile app) creates software for you according to the specification and methodology. If the software is built following Agile methodology, it is necessary to hold meetings with a customer once-twice per two weeks.

Submission to app stores

If your app is created for public use, we release it and submit to App Store or Google Play, depending on the platform the is created for. If the app is for internal use, you receive it in the archived form, or it can be uploaded to your repository.


Of course, it is necessary to ensure that everything works properly, that is why different types of testing are performed to fix all bugs. Then it is essential to get approval from the customer, and only after this, the app is released.

Is this the end of the process?

The development process is finished when everything is approved, and software is created in accordance with provisions of the contract, and so on.

At the same time, rather often, customers prefer to prolong the cooperation and get post-release services from a development company. Thus, a company maintains the product, updates it, and so on.

Do you know how the process is going, and you plan to create your software right now? Hire Cleveroad dedicated development team to build a top-notch app or website!