Digital transformation is a business buzzword today, but it is no longer only for big enterprises with massive capital investments. Even small companies with tight budgets and minimal resources are keen to embrace modernization. The great thing is that you can make big leaps with cost-effective software solutions. You may hire an in-house developer team or outsource expertise to go ahead with the initiative according to your budget and preferences. Whichever route you choose, developing an enterprise-grade solution is absolutely possible, even with small funding and limited resources. However, you must create a viable plan for the project and follow a proven roadmap to complete it successfully. Here are a few software development best practices that small business owners can rely on.
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Define a scope of work from the outset
You will probably have a vision for the modernization of your small business. But a vision becomes a solution only if you materialize the idea into a clear scope of work for the project. Avoid taking things for granted because explaining a raw idea to your development team can be more complicated than you imagine. Write down the app idea, and the specifications and features you expect your app to have. Proper documentation gets you in a better place when it comes to sharing your expectations with your developers. Including business goals, needs, and challenges into the scope is an even better idea because it helps the developers understand the core objective of the software solution. If you are a novice, get your questions on paper and create a scope with your software development team.
Choose your team wisely
This one is a no-brainer because you cannot expect your software solution to run successfully without qualified professionals to develop it. You must do your due diligence while hiring an in-house team or collaborating with an outsourcing partner, whichever way you choose to launch the project. Skilled resources are more likely to understand your needs and expectations regarding budgets and timelines. They may even have some valuable recommendations, such as developing MVP software instead of going too big too fast. The approach is ideal for small businesses as they can create software with only the essential features and add more down the line.
Create a project strategy
Another valuable piece of advice for software development for small businesses is to create a project strategy. It is easy to proceed without a plan when you want a basic solution with a few features and have an in-house team working on the project. But developing a roadmap helps you eliminate the chances of errors, wastage, and miscommunication. It works like a shared plan that includes direction and task prioritization. Further, it gives your team a clear view of the list of features, so they can plan the project milestones and timelines accordingly. Sharing a roadmap with your outsourcing partner facilitates transparency and timely completion.
Design before coding
Project planning, team selection, and roadmap creation are the basics of a software development project. But your developers get down to work only when they start coding. However, they must research and design the app features before writing the code because going the other way around can lead to tons of wasted time down the road. You may even end up with a product that hardly addresses your needs and challenges. Your team can implement various design patterns and tools, so discussing these options help them create an effective design for the app.
Encourage smart work
Nothing gets better than smart work when it comes to saving money for a small business. Fortunately, you can encourage your developer team to use open-source backend platforms instead of writing code from scratch. Heroku is a popular option, and you can also find a Heroku alternative that offers comparable features. You can use such platforms to reduce the development time to weeks instead of months, which is typical for software projects. The best part is that your developers do not compromise quality to ease the coding process. You can rely on the SDKs, APIs, real-time databases, and cloud code functions that come with these platforms.
Stick with simplicity
YAGNI (You Ain’t Gonna Need It) is another best practice small businesses must implement for software development. Stick with simplicity and ensure that your team does not write unnecessary code. Developers often want to code for the future, writing elements they do not currently require but may need later. However, you may switch to a new app as your small business evolves in the future. You may not even need the extra code, making it a waste of time for developers and losing money for the company. The best way to keep things simple is to split the features into smaller tasks and ask your developers to create independent pieces of code for them.
Test iteratively
Working code isn’t enough because it does not deliver value until it is flawless. In fact, incorrect code can do more harm than good. Testing is an integral element of software development because it identifies potential errors and flaws. Taking an iterative approach to testing is the best way to go for all businesses, and small enterprises are no exception. Testing throughout the development stages can save you time, money, and trouble reworking the code from scratch. You can tackle modular pieces of code and test a single functionality at a time. Further, you can correct codes before moving to the next stage of development. Think beyond bringing seasoned developers on board for the project because hiring skilled testers is equally crucial.
Implement version control
Besides setting up a process for iterative testing, small business development teams must also implement version control for the software product. Essentially, version control entails tracking and managing changes to app code. It is vital if you have multiple developers working on the project because things can get overwhelming when they make random changes at their ends. With version control, they can work on new features and bug fixes without the risk of overriding someone else’s code. They may even revert to previous versions if errors occur, all without disrupting the work of other developers on the team. Git and GitHub are the popular version control systems small businesses can rely on.
Invest in team performance
Whether you hire an in-house team or outsource development services, you must invest in team performance to make the most of the project. Regular meetings and seamless communication are the cornerstones of high-performing software project teams. Appointing a project manager is a wise approach as it brings accountability and transparency to the project. Moreover, the manager can assess individual performances and ensure that everyone works toward a common goal. They also address conflicts, sort out issues, and plan for implementing changes. The role of a manager is also about keeping the team members motivated until the end of the project.
While software development sounds like a complex and expensive project for a small business, it can be much easier than you imagine. You only need to plan strategically and get the best developers on board to achieve more with less during the journey. Following these simple best practices does the rest, even if you run short of time, money, and resources.
I am a passionate, adventurous, and insatiate learner who loves to write about the latest technology trends. My experience working in an MNC has motivated me to understand that there are certain niche requirements for writing strategically about brands’ messages towards people’s interests which I’ve mastered over time through trial and error of many projects under various clients across diverse industries. It is my honest effort to put my experiences and knowledge of industry towards readers.
