Software Development Methodology

In the next phase, we use the information we collected in Phase 1 to draft a detailed proposal. Each proposal contains the following:

• Our vision for the project as a whole, including the goals for the final product, a description of the final product's functionality, all constraints (including the work environment, budget, and timeframe), and any other requirements that need to be fulfilled.
• Our estimate of the size of the project, the labor hours needed, and the anticipated cost for software development.
• Our draft plan for the project, including an approximate timeline and a list of all the most important milestones.

The client may suggest changes, corrections, or additions to the proposal document. We always try to amend the project's scope as needed before development work actually begins, since this is the best way to avoid unnecessary expenses and stay within the project's budget. We engage in a rigorous back-and-forth process that results in our functional specification document. It contains the complete set of detailed specifications for the final product that we are developing. It includes all the requirements for reliability, performance, and the user interface, as well as any non-functional characteristics.

The document also contains a description of the main components of the software's architecture and how those components interact with each other. Having a thorough design clearly laid out in writing helps us avoid having to make last-minute changes after resources have already been invested in unwanted software development. It also helps us keep on schedule, since last-minute changes to software architecture can be difficult and slow to implement. When we follow a clear plan, we also know that the final product will easily integrate with our client's existing systems.

Throughout the course of the project, the plan and estimate are revised as needed so that the our client always had accurate information about the project's scope, budget, and timeframe, as well as our progress in meeting the clearly defined milestones.

Once the client indicates approval of the functional specification document by signing it, we can move on to the next phase where we actually begin developing the software. Once that phase has begun, any changes in the scope of the project must be requested and discussed through the use of our form for change requests.

Software development begins once all the project requirements and the software's architecture have been clearly defined in writing.

For each project, we identify intermediate deliverables that are shared with the client on or before defined milestone dates. This allows the client to monitor our progress. Clients can review each module, element, or system as it is completed and make sure that it is aligned with their objectives and on-track to create a final product that meet their business needs. Careful review of these intermediate deliverables is important, as it can facilitate the identification of any errors or problems as early as possible.

Remember that the further the project progresses, the more costly it becomes to correct errors. Our software engineers test for errors immediately after completing code programming, looking for relatively minor logic errors. They also test classes to check for functionality and reliability at the level of units. Once a few programs that belong to a single module have passed those tests, they are tested together for modular function. Likewise, once several modules have passed those tests, they are grouped together for larger testing that ensures they fulfill the requirements of the project. In this way, eventually the entire system passes demanding tests for functionality and we can rest assured that the final product meets the client's needs.

Once this testing has been completed, we conduct the alpha release in which the software is given to the client for a thorough review.

After the alpha release, we engage in extensive testing for quality assurance and conduct the beta release. All of the software's code is checked for its functionality, reliability, and consistency. Our quality assurance team looks for any deviations from our standard procedures and makes sure that the final product meets all the specifications. If any bugs or other errors are found, they are immediately corrected to comply with the requirements of the project.

Once our quality assurance team has completed its internal testing, the software is deployed at the client's site for beta testing. This way the software can be observed in its intended environment, where the client can test and review it as much as desired within the pre-set time period that was established in the project plan. The client's feedback is used for final debugging and additional testing as needed.

Once the beta release has been approved, it becomes the final release and the project moves into the phase of final release.

The sixth phase, final release, involves delivering the tailored software application to the client and deploying it on site. Our technicians install the software, making all necessary configurations for a successful product launch. We then closely monitor the system's performance so that we can offer immediate assistance if there are any problems. Our client's complete satisfaction is our top priority in this and all other phases. Our friendly and knowledgeable professionals train the client's employees as needed, making sure they have all the requisite knowledge. They also deliver any user manuals or other technical documentation that was described when the scope of the project was defined.