Sometimes, we are asked to develop a custom piece of software for a client, only to find out during discovery that what our client wants is a new, digital product or service. While that may seem like the same thing, creating a software product or service involves more than a piece of custom software. In doing so, we follow software product development best practices to make sure they launch the right product for their market.
Software development best practices are a set of guidelines and recommendations that help software developers create high-quality, reliable, and maintainable software. These practices include following a defined software development process, using version control and documentation, writing clean and efficient code, testing and debugging thoroughly, and following industry standards and best practices for cybersecurity and data protection. Adhering to best practices ensures that your software projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet the needs of your users.
Much like the stages of product development, the phases of a software development project include the following:
When building and launching a software product or service, it is important to have a process of bringing those new products to market and managing their development and lifecycle. Some of the best practices for product management include setting clear goals and objectives, defining the target market and customer needs, creating a product roadmap and timeline, conducting market research, gathering feedback, collaborating with other teams, and continuously measuring and analyzing product performance. These practices help your team ensure that these products meet the needs of your market.
As part of our consulting services, we help businesses launch new software products. There is a difference between pure software development and developing a software product. Product development involves bringing a new digital - i.e., software - product or service to market. Software development is the process of creating a piece of software. The entire product development process includes idea generation, product discovery, creation of the software, and implementation.
Understanding the difference between launching a new product and creating a custom piece of software can make all the difference in a successful product launch. A successful new, digital product or service will help your business achieve its business goals, great new revenue, and achieve your growth projections.
To get your project started toward a successful launch, contact our team to begin the process.