Ten Proven ways to ensure software delivery on time and budget
If you are into Information and Technology sector, the realization of a paradigm shift from manual work to software should not be an element of surprise for you. There is a huge demand for software in every sector. From libraries to hospitals, from banks to schools, from gyms to petrol pumps, everyone is seeking software to simplify and perform their work with precision.
Although there is a huge demand, there is cut-throat competition too. Many established as well as emerging industries which are catering to all sorts of software solutions. If you are one of those and want to stand out from your competitors by delivering the software as early as possible and within the stipulated budget, read on for the ten most useful tips:
Validate all Requirements
Providing the client, the desired features in software is the ultimate aim of a software developer. A well-defined requirement list forms the basis of a well-structured software. Business requirement analysis forms the first and an essential step in the development of software. The requirements document defines the whole framework of the software. The requirement document is the go to page to assure that the software is being built on the correct lines. The requirements can be referred at every stage from defining the architecture to the final testing. Poorly gathered information can lead to the deviation of the software from the actual requirements.
Use Agile Development
The conventional approach to building software is the waterfall model, but the efficiency of the waterfall model is more often than doubted. The waterfall model is accused of being a model derived from different industries and is not very apt in the IT sector. However, lately, the agile development is more appreciated in IT sector. Being agile simply means running the development in cycles. The cycles include planning, development, and feedback. This approach helps to keep up with the project requirements and allows incremental growth and also makes it possible to meet the deadlines.
Divide The Project Plan Among Your Best Team
A motivated team can work wonders. Software development is no one man task, but it is also not a task that needs an army of men. While allocating tasks, one needs to be careful. The right functions should be handed to the right people. It is essential to know the strengths and weaknesses of your teammates before you task allocation. The tasks and the responsibilities need to be allotted based on the same. The team should have sufficient members so that the work is divided equally and everyone is accountable for their responsibilities. For resources, the responsibilities need to be prioritized and defined well.
Outsource Generic Work to Keep the Cost Low
To achieve the work in stipulated timelines, the option of outsourcing the project as whole or parts of the project has worked like a wonder for some. Outsourcing work can be done to either compensate the resources unavailable at your end or to compensate the expertise. Before outsourcing, it is imperative to consult the vendors, get their quotes and decide on the most suitable one. While handing over the work, a clearly defined timeline and scope of work are like a mandate. Thus outsourcing can thus help in the completion of the project on time and even assist in cost reduction.
Have a flawless communication
There can always be a gap between the deliverables and the desired. This means that there is a communication gap between the stakeholders. Communication between all the stakeholders is a key to the smooth execution of the project. The stakeholders can be the customers, the project manager, the development team, the top executives and the vendors or the third parties involved. Everyone related to the project must be aware of the project details, the timelines and the scope of work. The progress report should be communicated to everyone involved in the project and in case of a problem or concern the right person should be approached. Written communication is always better than oral communication.
Keep Track of Progress
It is essential to know where you are on the project work, whether the quality of the project is maintained, whether the timelines are well adhered to, and whether the project is oriented towards its final goal and that all the requirements are being fulfilled. It is required that the project managers keep asking these questions to himself and his team at the completion of every phase to make sure that all the answers point in towards the project being completed at the right time in excellent quality. If the answer is not in favor of the project, the problems can be considered, and the issues can be resolved there and then.
Involve Clients in The Middle
Involving client at every step does more good than what is otherwise thought. Getting feedback time to time from the client helps to be on the same page as the client. When the client is in a continuous loop, the time invested in the corrections or changes to be made after the completion are saved. Informing the client on a regular basis also helps in building good relations and gaining the clients’ trust thus increasing credibility.
Avoid Requirement Creep (Scope creep)
Scope creep a project manager’s worst nightmare. Project creep refers to the changes, continuous or uncontrolled growth in a project’s scope after the project has begun. This is a more significant problem than it seems. Scope creep can hamper the timelines, increase the workload and also disturb the commercials. Scope creep the effect of flaws in the requirement definition. To avoid scope creep, it is vital that the first stage that is, the requirement gathering is done right, documented well, and approved by the client.
Frequently Test
Testing frequently is not just a notion to be put forward, it is instead a tried and tested formula to ensure timely delivery and in the stipulated budget. Testing frequently means that the flaws and loopholes are rectified there and then. Redoing a whole module for one mistake done initially involves enormous costs. To control the budget, frequent testing makes a huge difference.
Stay Organized
Moderating the complete work, identifying the mistakes and making sure that all the requirements are met in the given time frame is easier said than done. It is close to impossible to keep track of all the conversations between all the stakeholders and to keep up with the speed of the project by one person. To help the project development teams, there are many tools which take care of everything mentioned above. These tools generate daily reports and keep everyone on the same page and are important to stay organized.
Conclusion
In the age of software, where there are many of options available to everybody who wishes to build software, it is crucial for a software development team to make a mark. Many organizations deploy many cost reduction techniques that but with least consideration of quality. It is essential is that the project quality is not hampered in the whole process of cost reduction. The above-mentioned steps are sure to keep you on the right track and achieve your goals of acing the software delivery game!. At Konverge have helped many leading Canadian with software development. With over 25 years of experience in custom software development space. We are leading software development solution provider in Canada. Contact us to take to get a free consultation.
