Step-by-Step Guide to Plan an Effective Development Project

Whether your company has experience with software development or it's your first rodeo, a new project can be very stressful. It requires you and your team to spend lots of time, energy, and money on creating a fantastic software product. Additionally, you'll feel the pressure of spreading yourself thin while trying to meet deadlines.

Luckily, you can make your life much easier. The best way to ensure project success is by coming up with a solid software development plan from the get-go.

Not sure where to start? Check out our step-by-step guide! By using our tips, you and your project team can prepare for project success.

1. Define Your Goals

Defining your goals is the first (and perhaps most important) part of any software development project. This step helps you understand why you're even undertaking the project and its goals in the future.

When defining your software engineering goals, consider what you want the final product to do for your company. Will it improve the user experience or offer value to your customers? Will it make your team's operations more efficient?

By clarifying what you and your software development team are striving for, you ensure everyone is on the same page. Clear goals reduce the chances of miscommunication and make it easier to come up with a realistic plan.

During this stage, you may end up concluding that the final product won't offer business value that makes it worth the effort. And that's okay — if you conclude that the project isn't worth pursuing, you can save your company time by jumping ship sooner rather than later.

2. Determine What and Who You'll Need

Once you define your goals, you'll have a better idea of what you need to make them a reality.

The best way to start is by examining your current resources. Taking inventory will help you determine if you can use the equipment you already have. This route is very practical as it allows you to keep costs down and make the most of your budget.

Of course, everything that you'll need won't already be on hand. After you take inventory, you can fill in the gaps by purchasing more efficient equipment, downloading new software, etc.

Additionally, you'll need to figure out who you'll need to make your project happen. Your internal team will likely play a significant role in the development phase — after all, they're the ones who are most familiar with your company's goals. Analyze their skills and assign roles accordingly.

Even though you have a talented internal team by your side, there's a good chance that you'll need to outsource. We talk more about building the perfect team later. For now, let's discuss how to choose the appropriate software development process.

3. Choose the Appropriate Software Development Process

Developers and project managers should be aware of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This general term refers to the path of any project from its initial idea to the final launch. Most SDLCs incorporate stages such as analysis, design, prototype, testing, deployment, maintenance, and updates.

However, because each company has different requirements, the way you go about tackling the SDLC may differ. Thus, you'll need to choose the appropriate software development process.

The most traditional process is the "Waterfall." The Waterfall method is just how it sounds — your company follows a sequential path to the final launch. Team members must complete one step before moving onto the next, as the output from each step allows them to proceed. Of course, you can expect some minor overlap.

Another popular method is V-shaped planning. It is similar to the Waterfall as it follows a sequential format and provides rigidity. One key difference is that it incorporates lots of testing to prevent the need for post-production revisions.

While the two methods we've discussed are practical for many teams, they're not the only ones available. Dynamic structures like Spiral and Agile & Scrum allow for more flexibility and the ability to incorporate more user feedback.

Overall, it's essential to learn about the different methods and decide which is most appropriate for your project's needs.

4. Plan Your Budget

Once you know what you need and the path your project will follow, it's time to plan your budget. You'll need to account for expenses such as equipment, salaries, and outsourcing costs.

It's impossible to know exactly how much you'll end up spending, but you should strive to be as accurate as possible. Having an approximate estimate will help you plan how to raise the money you need.

You should have enough money to account for scope creep and problems that may arise. The last thing you want is for lack of funds to delay your project.

To keep costs low, one of the best things you can do is outsource. Nearshore development teams work on projects for you according to your budget and timeline, and they give you access to some of the industry's best talent while remaining affordable. With their help, your developers and project manager can access the help they need to produce the best results possible.

5. Create a Timeline

Now, it's time to create a timeline. This document will serve as a reference point to keep everyone on track. It should contain important task details, their due dates, and who's responsible for completing what.

Everyone will benefit from viewing the timeline, but it will likely be in the back pocket of the project manager. They will use it to move the project along by making sure everyone stays on top of their duties.

When you create the timeline, know that it will need to be flexible. Especially if you use a dynamic development path, the deadlines are subject to change as the project progresses. You may have to move specific tasks forwards to accommodate a client's needs. Or, you might have to push deadlines back because you're waiting on quality assurance testing that you didn't account for initially.

Whatever the case may be, know that you need to be willing to be flexible. A timeline that's too rigid will only restrict your team members and affect the quality of the final product.

6. Build a Team

After you layout many of the details, you'll want to build the perfect team. Of course, this stage involves recruiting your in-house talent. You'll want to see which of your team members have the experience necessary to take on this project.

However, as we mentioned before, you will probably end up needing to outsource at least part of the tasks. A nearshore software developer is the way to go as they come with a refined skill set and affordable rates.

When outsourcing, be sure to choose a company that meshes well with your developers and project manager. They should prioritize communicating, adapting to your method, and working with your goals in mind.

It's important to realize that this stage often comes later in the planning process. By laying out all the details first, you can find the right team to take on your project. If they analyze your plan and determine that they won't be a good fit, you can find a partner better suited to your niche.

However, note that some companies will take this step first. If your team is largely unfamiliar with software engineering, a qualified team can help you from the get-go. They can create timely project plans, determine how the final product will benefit your company, and gather the necessary resources.

This way, you don't have to worry about efficient software project planning. Instead of learning about this entirely new world, you can leave it to the experts and focus on contributing to your project in ways more familiar to you.

Start Planning Your Software Development Project Today

We know you're eager to bring your product to life. With the help of this step-by-step guide, you can create a plan to turn your vision into reality.

If you find yourself stuck, our nearshore developers can help! We have years of experience helping companies like you. Through our professional services, you'll have not only the perfect plan but also the resources you need for your project. Call us today to get started!