Software development, like any other type of project development, takes a lot of time, brainstorming, and, of course, financial investment.
Mistakes can and will happen during the process, but every business owner wants to make sure the damage is minimal.
Some of the most common mistakes in software development result in financial losses that might be prevented. To avoid losing money, here are some of the most common costly mistakes that and some suggestions on how to easily avoid them.
Lack Of A Plan And Absence Of Scheduling
Every project needs a detailed plan. Always have a detailed plan that will show all the goals you want to reach with the money you have.
If you are not sure what your targets and deadlines are and, you will have a hard time tracking your progress and noticing mistakes or losses that you may incur.
Also, missing deadlines and overall inconsistency will look unprofessional and might turn the clients away, again losing you money.
With a detailed plan, you will notice where there is space for improvement and where your strengths lie, which is, again, a great advantage.
Unrealistic Expectations
Being ambitious is always a virtue, but make sure you don’t promise more than you can achieve. You could risk a great financial loss if those certain expectations are not met.
Not being completely confident about your capabilities could lead to unrealistic ideas of what the software and its functions should be like.
Delaying projects and putting too many close deadlines together can cause a great money loss. It will not only put a lot of pressure on your employees but also hinder their performance, resulting in poor software performance.
Furthermore, be sure that the team you are working with is proficient enough to finish tasks on time. Having a clear picture of your team’s performance and how much they can accomplish in a certain timeframe will save you from unnecessary costly fees and an overall poor reputation.
Ignoring Customer Feedback
Before being released to the public, a new product is usually launched as an MVP (minimum viable product), to be checked for some basic features. However, it is always good to do a usability test before the launch. It will help you create software that is user-friendly and easy to use, which will eventually bring more customers.
Neglecting Maintenance And Security
Technology is rapidly developing day by day by bringing new features to the table, so maintaining and revising code is essential to keep your software up to date.
Keep in mind that maintenance costs less than upgrading legacy software, because generally it will take more time to upgrade to recent versions.
Security is crucial for well-functioning software. If your customers’ data is compromised, you will risk losing their trust and, eventually, their money. It is not only practical but also cost-effective in the long run to spend your extra budget on your software’s security.
Releasing A Non-Tested Product
In this day and age, a platform with a lot of bugs, even small ones, can make your customers impatient and eventually make them choose your rival. That’s why testing software before releasing it is always cheaper than fixing all the bugs.
For example, some of the best custom software development companies in Canada have in-house testers that will find any potential mistakes in code, so it is not necessary to spend money on later fixes.
Always make sure your software goes through product control before it is released to the public.
Not Having Any Written Documentation
Keeping everything documented in a written form will help you and your team stay organized, as it leaves less room for miscommunication among employees. This can also help you prevent any possible mistakes that might be expensive to correct.
In addition, the written form is always preferable and is more formal. If any misunderstandings occur, you and your client can check all the obligations and requirements both sides need to fulfill. This prevents any uncertainty, which also saves you from losing money.
To Conclude
As already mentioned, software development alone costs a lot of money, so you want to make sure you don’t waste any of it.
These are some of the most common mistakes in software development that can cost you a lot of money, time and reputation. Keep these in mind to overcome any difficulties you may encounter.
