Uncover the myths of Software Development! From coding is just typing to more developers means faster results, we debunk common misconceptions and bring clarity to the intricate world of technology.
But software development affects everyone and, perhaps because of its importance, there are many misconceptions and myths circulating about what it is and what it does. Here are 8 common myths about software development – and why they're wrong.
#1: Software Development Is Always Expensive
Many people believe that software development is extremely expensive. While it's true that elaborate, custom software can have a high price tag, many factors influence the overall cost, including the development team you choose, the software you want to build, and the features you want to include. Some software development can actually be very cost-effective.
For example, if you want to build a quality product that provides a simple service but doesn't require many features, the development process should be quite simple – and much less expensive than you might think. If your software takes off, you can worry about adding additional features later, once you have the funding to support them.
Additionally, if you outsource your project to a nearshore or offshore development team, they will often be able to work at a lower rate than an in-house or onshore team because they are typically based in countries with developing economies – which brings us to our next myth…
#2: In-House Developers Are Preferable to Outsourcing
You don't need someone in-house to create your software. In fact, you might even be better off outsourcing your project elsewhere. We discussed one of the benefits of outsourcing: cost savings. But this is just one of the many advantages.
You'll have access to a much broader pool of talent, including teams and individuals who may have specialized skill sets that you don't have in your organization. And because these teams are used to working on these types of projects, they will do so efficiently, leaving time for you to focus on the core functions of your business.
#3: It’s Helpful to Add More People to the Development Team
You might think you'll save time and improve efficiency by continually adding more developers to your team, but that's not always the case. In fact, it can slow down the process – it’s the “too many cooks spoil the broth” idea. Having unnecessary hands involved in the process can lead to more errors and product intrusions. It can also slow down the progress of the project.
Adding more people can also cause more confusion. You will have to onboard people, which consumes uptime and disrupts the flow of communication and teamwork.
#4 Software development is a formula
Every software development project is different. Therefore, there is no magic formula for creating a product – everyone has a unique set of requirements, unless, of course, the project is very simple and small-scale. But even requirements can change during development.
#5: Development Requires a Computer Science Degree
Once upon a time, the coveted software developer job required a sophisticated education and degree. Today, that is no longer the case. With more and more alternative paths to learning coding, you don't need a computer science degree to become a software developer. Many talented developers learned to program through training or a course or even by teaching themselves.
#6: Quality assurance is good, but not essential
Some people believe that the quality control process is very expensive and time-consuming and can be ignored. Or they think it might simply fall under the purview of software developers. In reality, QA testing requires a specialized skill set and should not be overlooked – it is extraordinarily important to the overall development cycle. That's why we have software development and QA teams with different skills that work together to create your products.
QA testers will not only detect bugs but also evaluate aspects of the software such as usability and performance. Ultimately, the work they do often means you'll save money in the long run because fixing problems after the product launches will be much more expensive than fixing them during development.
#7 You can guarantee the absence of bugs
At the same time, you cannot assume that the QA testing process will detect all possible defects. Of course, it is an essential part of software development, but the fact remains that it is impossible to guarantee that they will find and resolve all bugs before the product is released. No QA tester, even the strongest, can say with absolute certainty that a product is bug-free.
What they can do is carry out rigorous assessments to ensure they have identified and eliminated as many defects as possible.
