Software development can be expensive and time-consuming, even when the project is successful, and that’s not always the case. A recent report revealed that the combined cost of unsuccessful development projects undertaken by US firms rose 46% from $177.5 billion in 2018 to $260 billion in 2020.
That’s a lot of wasted money, possibly due to more businesses rushing to digitize without a clear idea of what that means. How can this be avoided? A survey of 13,000 software agencies by DesignRush gleaned the following insights.
1. Establish a Clear, Common Vision
Communication is key, and it’s especially important for software. In the concept and design stage, software is notorious for ‘bloat’–so many proposed features that a single application can’t do it all. This leads to delays and problems when building it.
To avoid this, all stakeholders should discuss and establish a shared vision with clear goals about what the software needs to achieve. It should be specific and targeted rather than all-encompassing and vague so that the dev team can focus on what’s important.
2. Work with a Software Engineer from the Get-Go
Software engineers are sometimes overlooked, but good engineering can make all the difference to a project. Software engineers with experience in lead and architect roles are especially valuable, as they can guide the team to choose the best technologies and tools to build the software before they get started.
3. Don’t Rush Prototypes
Too many projects are wasting time on prototypes before they have clearly defined the project requirements. The survey highlights the importance of using an agile methodology and focusing on the user experience most of all, taking into account user stories and market research before prototyping.
4. Choose Your Project Manager Carefully
The role of project manager is a crucial one, and companies should hire one that has knowledge of the specific IT domains associated with the project, as well as experience with software development. A good PM will provide oversight of the whole team and has the perspective to spot any potential problems at an early stage.
To read the original news article, click here.
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AI Optimization Disruptive Researcher – Chief Development Officer and CoFounder at AccelOne – Blockchain Certified Developer – Autonomous Cars Engineer – Industrial Engineer – McLaren Fan
My Tech journey started 38 years ago with a Yamaha CX5M Computer / Synth, and since then, I have had a nonstop career adding experiences in several industries and technologies. I am an AI researcher and Ph.D. student and the Chief Development Officer of AccelOne. I lead a team of passionate talent in software engineering services, which are delivered from LA to the US. I have a strong technical background with more than three decades of experience in complex project and team management in various areas, including product design and development in Entertainment, eCommerce, Retail, Logistics, Business Intelligence, and Financial Services. I was CTO of Axigma Technologies, managing mobile business and consumer development projects for brands, including The Marketing Store and C9W. I founded the computer training institute IEC, which provided training services in several different programming languages and design and animation tools. In 2005 I founded Routeck, a development software company devoted to special projects (such as open-source firmware programming), credit card reconciliation, and specific products for retail. I was Development Manager at Infinite Corporation, managing their iSeries and Web products, a former Senior Software Engineer at COTO, and a Senior Web Applications Engineer at HSBC.
