Why invest in custom software programming services? Because your business requirements can’t be met with an off-the-shelf package.
What does it take to create custom software? A typical project includes the following phases:
- Requirements capture (Interviews and analysis)
- Design
- Programming
- Testing
- Beta software installation, customer beta testing, and feedback
- Final changes, installation of final software, and ongoing support
What Happens in the Programming Phase?
During the programming phase of a custom software project, the actual code is created. This is probably the most familiar part of a software development project in general terms, but what specifically happens?
Programmers follow standards defined in the design document to create tangible deliverables. The deliverables include screens and functions identified at a high level in the requirements document and detailed in a statement of work for each sprint.
You’ll meet regularly with your software partner’s project manager through the programming phase of your project. In these meetings, the program manager (PM) will keep you updated on the status of the tasks included in the sprint. The PM will demonstrate working code as it’s completed and ask questions to clarify requirements. As you approve changes, the PM will incorporate them into the requirements document.
This method of creating a software application ensures that you have no surprises when your end product is delivered.
Prototypes
The first time a type of page is coded, the programmers may develop a system prototype or proof of concept. You may also request a prototype for any new functions or features not covered in the design document. Why do this? A prototype lets you see how the final code will function before all the code is written. You can finalize requirements before programmers complete the bulk of the work.
Consistency
For each sprint, your software partner will provide you with working code for every feature identified in the statement of work. As the project moves forward, you see your application grow and become very comfortable using it.
Your software partner follows the standards in your design document to build the features in every sprint, so you can expect consistency. Once you know how to do something on one page, your knowledge applies to every other similar page in the system. For example, search screens display the name of the screen at the top of the page, and search parameters appear below the title. After you choose search parameters and press a Find button, your search results display in a grid in the middle of the page. If you want to edit a record, you choose the Edit button on the applicable row in the grid to open a page on which you can add or change details. With this type of consistency, it doesn’t matter whether you are searching for customers or parts – the pages will work exactly the same way.
Why is this consistency important?
- Simplifies Training. Subject matter experts help design the system and test it as each sprint is completed, and they will be well-equipped to conduct training.
- Enables Programming Once, Using Twice (or more). To make pages work the same throughout your application, programmers build standard components. Using components more than once saves programming time and helps keep the cost of the application down.
- Facilitates Change. When you need to make a change to a component that is used or multiple pages, the programmers can modify one place in the code to update every screen on which you see the component.
Custom Software Programming Services Deliver Working Code
During the requirements and design phases of a project, you receive documents about your system. While these documents are critical to project success, you can’t judge the quality of your new application with them.
Once programming begins, you can actually use your system (in a test environment).
It’s like buying a car. You can read the research, but you only know if you want to buy when you drive the car.
Getting working code early in your project is like test driving a car. It lets you decide what you like and what you want to change. When you identify changes early in the project, the programmers have less re-work to do, which reduces time and associated cost for coding.
Does Your Business Need Custom Software?
Custom software can be the key to ensuring your business remains competitive. Contact DragonPoint to discover the benefits!
