4 Factors to Consider When Creating a Software Development Plan

The development and implementation of new software is both exciting and daunting. On the one hand, watching an idea come to fruition has a satisfying feel to it. On the other hand, there's an underlying sense of tension as you wait to see if its move into a production environment will be successful.

 

Some of that distress can be minimized with a software development plan. Whether it's internal or created by a development company, the creation of such a plan puts everyone, figuratively and literally, on the same page. This is especially the case if it contains information on the project management team, deliverables, and software requirements.

 

However, if a software development plan doesn't include this information, or if it's incomplete, then it draws concern by the company who invests in them. This leads to tensions between the two parties. Eventually, the plan might be scrubbed altogether. Not only does the company suffer a monetary loss but they also have second thoughts going with another company.

 

To avoid this at the start of the process, here are four factors to consider when creating a software development plan.

 

1. Ask about previous work

Software development normally means you require a custom solution to resolve an issue. It might be something you feel is unique only for your environment. Therefore, you want assurances the project management team you hire can accomplish this.

 

A simple Yes or No is not a viable answer in this situation. To feel secure in your choice of a team you need to see samples of the products. After a review, you can determine if the program or application is within the ballpark of your development problem.

 

You might want to go one step further in the process and ask team members for contact information of current or previous clients. Those who gladly provide this information are probably confident in their software development. Should they show reluctance about this, then it's best to look at another company.

 

2. How do they minimize risk?

There are some things a software development plan doesn't tell you. Or, rather, it's what project management teams may not add. This is why you want to ask as many questions as possible before and after the plan is created.

 

One of the items to query the team about is risk management. Since security is a top priority for businesses in today's technological world, the development group must know how they will address potential breaches in the software.

 

Listen to their language when they provide their risk management plan. No implementation is 100% secure, so be wary if they guarantee zero data loss. If they know what they're talking about, the development team should speak about minimizing the risks and protecting data should a hack take place.

 

3. How do they avoid a Black Swan situation?

This is not related to the movie of the same name. Rather, it's an unexpected event with severe consequences. While rare, it's not guaranteed it won't happen with your software.

 

Developers who know their way around coding try to avoid this as much as possible. First, they will meet regularly with your IT teams to ensure all of the requirements are being met. Second, if they do run into problems at the DEV or SIT levels, they should inform you of the difficulties and any changes to the deliverables. Regular interaction reduces uncertainty on both sides.

 

4. Who owns the code when it's done?

With most development teams, software implementation is monitored once it's placed in a production environment. This helps them be pro-active should a problem arise. It's what happens once the software is stable that poses a potential issue.

 

In some cases, the development team may want to keep the code as proprietary material. This allows them to make necessary, or unnecessary, changes to the program or add patches and upgrades. In other situations, they may grant the business full access to the code. While it seems generous, it causes a dilemma if you don't have on-staff developers who can correct issues.

 

It's up to you and your IT management team to decide what to do with the code. In the end, you may come up with a compromise. For instance, you can hold onto the code but have the outside development team repair or upgrade it should there be issues.