As a company grows, its software requirements change and develop, and generic software products may no longer suffice in catering to a thriving business. Specialized and customized software products specifically designed to meet a company’s needs can furnish viable solutions and work toward furthering the expansion of a business.

Website redevelopment, the creation of tailor-made software concepts and technology, and the enhancement of existing software platforms can all contribute to the improvement of the day-to-day running and profitability of a company.

While traditionally, software products were developed by using the well-known waterfall methodology, the more flexible agile model has become increasingly popular. Both approaches are worth considering. What model suits your business best depends on your needs and requirements.

Tailored Approach – Needs Assessment First

Before deciding on a methodology and providing a quotation, we assess your company’s needs first. During extensive discussions, we identify your requirements, gather your ideas, determine your budget, and set a time frame. We then continue by introducing you to our methodologies, sharing our expertise, and providing you with a ballpark quotation. By the end of this process, you will have a clear picture of the process involved, our approach, and what to expect.

Our software product developers are highly trained and experienced and do their utmost to furnish a sophisticated software solution geared toward reaching your specific objectives.

Two Approaches to Software Product Development Strategies

We offer two different methodologies: the traditional waterfall design and the more adaptable agile methodology. Waterfall projects are fixed price projects, while agile projects take the time and materials used into consideration and are calculated over time.

During the initial meeting, we jointly determine which approach would cater to your needs in the most effective way.

Waterfall

The Waterfall model is a rather rigid, linear model. This is how software was traditionally developed, and this methodology still represents a viable approach for many businesses.

The stages of the waterfall approach are clearly defined, one step logically follows another, culminating in the delivery of a carefully planned software package.

The waterfall methodology incorporates the following two main stages:

Stage I – Project Planning

During the planning stage, our developers gather all the relevant information on your needs and objectives. They then create a project plan, provide a quotation, design a work order, furnish wireframes, and put together a development team. Our focus is on creating an effective, efficient software product, tailored to the specific requirements of all our clients. Your input is extremely valuable and will equip us with the information we need in the development of a sophisticated software product.

Once you are happy to proceed on the basis of what our development team has put together, the project development can commence.

Stage II – Project Development

After signing off on the work order, we begin with the design of your software product. Subsequently, we make the product available to our clients for user acceptance testing, also known as UAT. During the UAT stage, you will be able to test a prototype of your software and provide us with feedback. At this point, we can implement changes if you so wish. You may, for instance, like to include other features or further customize the software.

As soon as you are happy with the developed software, we deploy it in the production environment.

Advantages of the Waterfall Methodology

The waterfall model has a plethora of advantages, including:

●    Straightforward Process: As all the variables are defined during the planning stage, the development process is exceedingly straightforward.
●    Customer Not Required to Contribute after Initial Meetings: The development teams takes care of every aspect of the project development, and the client only needs to be present at the planning stage, and during meetings, reviews, and product tests.
●    Suitable for Multi-Element Design: At times, several software products are developed simultaneously and can easily be integrated subsequent to using the waterfall methodology.

Disadvantages of the Waterfall Methodology

There are drawbacks to this model:

●    Customer May Not Be Able to Visualize the Finished Product: It can be difficult for clients to imagine the finished products and provide the development team with sufficient information.
●    Customer May Not Be Happy with the Finished Product: At times, the client may not be entirely happy with the finished product.

Agile Methodology

In the agile approach, the entire process is broken into different segments, also known as sprints. The client is involved in all the sprints and gets an opportunity to review the development thereof. Each sprint lasts approximately one week. At the beginning of each sprint, deliverables are defined and then processed. At the end of each sprint, the development team in collaboration with the client, determine whether the sprint has produced all the deliverables, and at this point, the client can request changes or furnish ideas.

The agile methodology requires a great deal of input from the part of the client.

When all the sprints have been completed, the finished software product is tested, errors are fixed and the perfected software product is then released.

Advantages of the Agile Approach

Undoubtedly, the agile methodology is the most popular choice, particularly in view of its many advantages like:

●    Flexibility: The agile method provides more flexibility as the product is developed over time. If changes are necessary they can easily be integrated into the process
●    Customer Involvement: The great degree of customer involvement virtually guarantees customer satisfaction provided the client is willing and able to invest the time and effort.
●    Quicker Deliverables: Using the agile methodology, software developers can produce basic version for release more quickly.
●    More User-Focused: The customer involvement usually ensure the ease-of-use of the product.

Disadvantages of the Agile Approach

The agile methodology has also a few drawbacks:

●    Customer Needs to Invest a Lot of Time: The agile methodology’s success depends on the involvement of the client who must be available to invest a lot of time and effort in the process. This may not be possible for busy executives.
●    Team Proximity: The agile methodology works best if the team can work in the same premises. Though distant collaboration is possible, this may still represent an issue.
●    Sprint Elements Often Not Completed on Time: Quite frequently, the development team may not be able to complete all the sprint deliverables. Consequently, the subsequent sprints need to be redefined and this obviously has repercussions.
●    Too Much Flexibility May Lead to Inferior Quality: Because changes can be implemented throughout the process, the overall quality of the product may suffer because there is less coherence and possibly a lack of natural flow. Large projects that require a high level of integration may not “gel” sufficiently.

Our Verdict

There is no generic answer to the question of which methodology is better because both approaches have some merit. The first and most important step is to define your goals and objectives. Secondly, you have to decide whether you would be in a position to invest all the time required in the application of the agile approach.

The size and type of project must also be a deciding factor. Ultimately, your software development company will be able to advise you on the best way forward.

The First and Most Important Step – Choosing a Strategy for Your Specific Needs

The initial exploratory meeting is perhaps the most important step. On contact, you need to tell your software developer precisely what kind of a software product you are looking for and outline how much time you are prepared to invest.

Equipped with plenty of knowledge, expertise and experience, our software developers can advise you on the best approach and furnish you with a top-quality software product tailored to your specific requirements.

We appreciate the value of both approaches, knowing well that both the waterfall and agile methodologies can deliver the tools for effective and efficient software product development. The choice will most certainly depend on your specific needs.