Ihab Salloum[ad_1]
Every successful product in the world today is the culmination of months and years of intensive research. It is the unrelenting hard work and dedication that brings about fruitful results in the long run. This research is the backbone of any product, without which it cannot survive in the ever-evolving market. The same principle applies to Information Technology, where McKinsey’s research found that 45% of IT projects consistently exceed their estimated budgets.
The deeper you dig, the better the results. In simple terms, research is the discovery phase of software development. Over the years, this approach has proven to be effective. During the preliminary stage, the custom software development team conducts a comprehensive analysis before starting work.
The increasing market demands in customer-based industries in New York have led to a higher demand for custom software development. Software is the core engine that keeps a company running, much like a ship relies on radar. For those who have hired or are planning to hire a software development company, the discovery phase is crucial as it lays the framework for the future of their software. The discovery phase focuses on four key areas: the problem, the user’s needs, the potential solutions offered by custom software, and the estimated budget required to complete the project.
This article will explore the benefits of a detailed discovery phase and its crucial role in agile app development.
Risk Mitigation
According to research, one out of three software projects fails due to missed deadlines, underestimated budgets, unrealistic expectations, and poor planning. The discovery phase carefully evaluates these factors, offering a blueprint of the estimated project completion date, budget, and required team size, thereby significantly reducing the probability of risks.
Financial Clarity
The initial assessment stage in the discovery phase is critical, especially when it comes to financial matters. Determining the final development cost helps in finalizing the project budget, preventing any unforeseen costs during the development stages. In some cases, the estimated project cost may even decrease after a detailed discovery phase.
Prototype Testing
Before the development stage begins, the discovery phase allows you to create a beta version of the software. This version can be tested with end-users to identify any bugs or glitches. Based on the feedback, necessary changes can be made, saving time, cost, and money. Additionally, the discovery phase gives you more time to focus on important aspects of your project during the development stage.
Leveraging Technical Expertise
The discovery phase is the perfect time to utilize your development team’s skills. Effective data collection aids in making practical technical and architectural decisions. This is especially beneficial for companies without an in-house software development team. They often opt to hire top custom software development companies in New York, forming long-term partnerships that yield fruitful results.
Understanding Your Competitors
The discovery phase allows you more time to conduct comprehensive market research. This opens doors to discovering your competitors and conducting a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) on your own company. By identifying specific user needs and finding solutions, you can strengthen your weak areas and develop a value proposition based on these findings.
In addition to the aforementioned points, I have identified three brief stages within the Discovery phase: Business Understanding, Core Process Evaluation, and Product Deliverables. Let’s discuss them further.
Business Understanding
This is the first stage of the discovery phase, focusing on understanding the problem at hand, analyzing the end-users, and involving the primary stakeholders associated with the project.
How does it benefit you?
– You can map out the next course of action.
– Identify the necessary resources in terms of staffing and technical expertise.
Core Process Evaluation
The second stage of the discovery phase involves identifying any complex domains within the project. All developers and project stakeholders come together to find amicable solutions.
How does it benefit you?
– Gain a better understanding of any inconsistencies in the software development process.
– Develop a model that is easily deployable.
Product Deliverables
The third stage of the discovery phase visually presents a software timeline that includes the development strategy model. This stage focuses on the project’s scope, timeline, and estimated costs.
How does it benefit you?
– Gain an understanding of the software’s features from a user perspective.
– Get an idea of the estimated project delivery time.
Before committing to a project, adopting a systematic approach that aligns with the work strategy is essential. Software development methodologies like the discovery stage help organizations streamline processes, identify critical steps in advance, and gain insight into the estimated outcome of a project.
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