The software delivery metrics that matter in IT

When you finally decide to invest in a new software application for your business, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is whether to use a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product or hire a software development company to create custom software for you. .

There are many advantages to custom software. It's designed to work exactly to your organization's specifications, without superfluous features. You have full ownership of the app and it's designed to be easy to scale for your future needs. But there are also disadvantages, including the cost and time involved in development.

Functionality

Simply put, the custom software you've invested so much time and money into must reliably perform the necessary functions. While user testing and project meetings should give you an idea of ​​functionality before project completion, you should measure the functionality of the finished product against the original goals established during the planning phase.

For example, if you agreed with the developer that your software would be capable of running customizable reports, but the final application only allows users to run standard reports, then the final product does not provide the expected functionality.

Speed ​​and ease of use

The application must be fast enough for users to perform necessary functions without delays. This is especially important if one of the big reasons you hired a developer to create custom software is because your company is experiencing efficiency issues. The last thing you want is for your new app to slow you down even more.

Additionally, the user interface (UI) should be accessible and intuitive, meaning users should find the app easy to navigate. Ideally, they should be able to use it with little or no training. Telltale signs of a bad user interface include buttons in strange locations, links that lead to unexpected destinations, and difficult navigation.

Responsiveness

You and other users of the app will likely be accessing it across different devices, so it should look great and work well on all of them. This means that a website can look very different on a laptop screen than it does on a smartphone. However, responsive design isn't just about looks. It's also a usability issue, such as when a field worker needs to be able to enter data easily, while an office worker using the same application needs to be able to run reports easily.

The following video describes the factors that software developers consider when creating a responsive design:

Scalability

You pay a lot of money for custom software development, so you don't want it to become obsolete in a few years, forcing you to go through the entire process again. Instead, the app should be able to grow and expand along with your business. The more scalable the software, the greater its value and cost savings over time.

For example, a company may need to perform analytics on certain sources. As it grows, the number of sources may also increase and the software must be able to accommodate these additional input streams.

Test

All of the above issues must be verified with testing, not just when the project is completed, but throughout it. Testing is critical, especially if the software is customer-facing. By providing secure, easy-to-use apps or websites, you contribute to a positive customer experience (CX) which in turn increases your reputation and customer loyalty.

On the other hand, if faulty software is part of what you offer, your reputation and sales could quickly decline.

On time/budget

By the time you make the decision to hire a custom software developer, chances are you will need the work done yesterday. This item is one of the most important software delivery metrics because a project late or over budget can have a negative ripple effect on your business. Before starting work, your developer should create a high-level project plan so you can see the completion date as well as important milestones.

It is also essential that it is completed within the budget agreed at the beginning of the project. When looking for a custom software developer, look for one who is willing to provide a fixed bid quote so there are no surprises when the bill arrives.

Training and Documentation

Good developers will involve employees in the development process, which means they can familiarize themselves with the application once it's complete. Still, it's possible that not everyone who needs to use the application will be involved in the process from start to finish, so it's important that your software development team provides full training for the application they develop for you.

Training can be in person, via video or via an online course. Developers must also provide detailed documentation that employees can reference later as part of their offering.

Maintenance

Did you know that custom software maintenance costs can exceed development costs? This is because the software may need to be refined, modernized, or updated for security reasons after it is completed. While software developers will make every effort to create the app or website you need, your business may change to the point where you need additional or different features.

You may also need to update the application to make it compatible with other systems you are using, such as a new operating system, or to make it more secure based on new cyber threats.

Done or Done Right?

Making the decision to develop custom software is just the first step in the development process. You and your developer must discuss requirements, plan the work, test the software, and ultimately use the resulting product. However, just because the project is finished doesn't mean it's done well. Be sure to refer to the software delivery metrics above and use them as a checklist to ensure you get everything you need from your new application.