Discover the app development lifecycle: a roadmap from idea inception to deployment. Dive into stages such as planning, design, development, testing and maintenance.
Software outsourcing allows companies to develop high-quality applications quickly and affordably. But is it effective for all phases of a project? Creating a new application typically requires prototyping, validation, coding implementation, rigorous testing, and ongoing maintenance. Let's look at how effective software outsourcing is at each stage of the app development lifecycle:
What is an application development lifecycle?
An application development lifecycle refers to the entire process of planning, developing, and delivering a software application. Having a documented lifecycle improves workflow and mitigates risks. It helps ensure projects run smoothly, reducing application time to market and keeping costs low.
The life cycle of an application begins in the planning phase, where information is collected and feasibility studies are carried out. The information is analyzed to build a foundation for the design, and then the development and testing phases follow. The application is then deployed and maintained as updates and new features are added.
The Agile Development Methodology
Today, most organizations rely on agile methodologies to conduct their development projects. Its principles are focused on collaboration, communication, flexibility and adaptability.
Whether software outsourcing will work across all phases of an application's lifecycle largely depends on the specifics of the software and the methodology used to develop it. Typically, Agile methodologies provide the flexibility needed to complete a highly functional application project.
AGILE METHODOLOGIES PROVIDE THE FLEXIBILITY NEEDED TO COMPLETE A HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL APPLICATION PROJECT
The app development lifecycle in stages
Let's look at how software outsourcing works across the six stages of the app development process:
#1 Planning
Planning is the most important step in the application lifecycle. It involves documenting the specifics of the project, including how the application should work, its features, and intended development.
Partnering with a software outsourcing company ensures that your project is carefully planned to ensure seamless delivery. A good software outsourcing provider will conduct feasibility studies to develop the most effective approach. They will also include risk mitigation, identifying any potential issues and ensuring processes are in place to reduce their impact.
#2 Analysis
The Analysis stage analyzes the application's target audience. It considers who will use the software and what the system requirements are. At this stage, a Software Requirements Specification (SRS) is typically finalized, outlining all project requirements.
A software outsourcing team will help analyze the application's functionality and break down each task into a workflow process. They will create a project timeline, with documented milestones for each phase.
With an outsourced team, you have access to a worldwide pool of talent and will benefit from having highly skilled developers allocated to each task. A good outsourcing company will consider how communication will work in the future. Project management tools like Asana, Basecamp, and Jira allow the outsourcing team and client to communicate effectively, ensuring project milestones are met.
#3 Project
Based on the requirements established in the SRS, a specific design approach is used to define each of the project modules. Application design considers what will be created and how it should be implemented. Essentially, the project architecture is agreed upon for the internal design. In some cases, external design elements will also be considered at this stage.
#4 Implementation
The implementation phase of application development is typically the longest part of the lifecycle. If the Design phase was carried out correctly, the coding should be smooth and generated without any problems. All application features are implemented in this phase.
#5 Test
After generating the code, the Testing phase ensures that the application works as it should. Testing is performed against the SRS to ensure that all requirements outlined in the Analysis phase have been met. Application testing identifies and tracks any defects in the software so that corrections can be made to ensure compliance with quality standards. A software outsourcing company will perform various types of functional and non-functional testing, both manually and automatically. A typical application testing phase includes checking core functionality, text input, security, and scalability. This phase is crucial to the overall success of the application.
#6 Deployment and maintenance
The final stage of the application development lifecycle is deployment and maintenance. Once an app is fully tested, it is deployed for beta testing to give users a chance to identify any bugs.
In short
AN EXPERIENCED OUTSOURCING TEAM WILL HAVE ROBUST TESTING PROCESSES TO ENSURE THE APPLICATION IS SECURE AND ERROR-FREE
Software outsourcing works for all phases of the application development lifecycle. When Agile methodologies are used, the process is flexible and adaptable and can be adapted to the company's requirements.
Every successful application project starts with effective planning. With a documented SRS in place, code generation should be seamless. An experienced outsourcing team will have robust testing processes to ensure the application is secure and error-free.
From planning to implementation, a good outsourcing company will keep the client updated every step of the way.
