Software and App Development Process

1The Idea

We start the process with a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Before you say a word about your idea, we provide you with an NDA that both parties can mutually sign. NDA generally binds both parties to confidentiality regarding any discussions you may have with us. Afterwards, we will begin with an informal conversation to discuss your ideas and establish the best way forward.

2The Estimate

We’d draw sketches to transform your idea from abstract concepts into ‘tangible’ images and process for everyone out there with an app idea and no coding skills. The primary factors influencing development costs include:

We will put together a proposal for you outlining our estimated costs and timescales and any need-to-know information about how we run our projects. It will give you a general idea of what to expect if you choose to go ahead.

3Scoping

Scoping will involve brainstorming sessions (generally between 1-2 hours) to establish all app requirements and expectations. The outcome of the brainstorming session will be a scope document that will form the basis of any project, with an outline of requirements, wireframes and any variations to the cost estimate given in phase 2 above. Scoping also provides you and us the anchor points, i.e. what requirements are within the scope, what are outside and what are on the frame. The on-the-frame requirements will be either moved to a 2nd phase or bring in scope.

4Project kick-off!

The journey begins! We will step through the project requirements and milestones, and set all-important deadlines and agree on the sign-off dates, so we are all on the same page from the word go. We follow an agile approach. In simple terms, we show you the app in stages and call it ‘releases’. Then, we will provide a schedule of releases and releases dates.

5Design

Now we are in the build stage of the app. We take time to design every screen of your app and produce a visual guide for your feedback. The feedback is generally via emails, phone calls or face-to-face meetings. This phase is similar to agreeing on a design for a house. After finalising the design is the coding stage. A change to the design during the coding stage may result in delays and increased costs!

6Development

Layer by layer, we start developing your apps. We first set the app in one platform as a prototype. After that, we like to build in phases to get the basics right before we add more complex features. We will keep you in the loop throughout this process and will need your feedback along the way.

7Testing

Testing can be a combined effort or performed by yourself or us. There are three types of testing we perform. Unit testing to ensure each functionality we build works the way it should be. Functional testing provides the process, from start to end, delivers the output. Finally, regression testing ensures that the fixes we perform have not created defects in already tested areas. Testing is a crucial part of the project. It will help ensure your app is robust and reliable.

8Release

When we are all finally happy with our new app, we will start preparing for release! First, we will navigate Apple and Google play’s submission criteria and timescales to make sure your app makes it to the market on time.

9Support

A crucial step, missed by many! Every app requires support once it has gone live, as there may be any number of Operating System updates and bugs that will need fixing over time. Once your app is up and running, we will still be there to support it. We offer ongoing support based on three methods. We can provide a fixed price for an agreed scope of support services, time and material basis, or a monthly support agreement.