Developing a mobile application that will be in demand and successfully compete in the market is a complex but exciting task. An effective development process requires a systematic approach, and this is where the software development life cycle (SDLC) comes to the rescue. This is a structured approach that covers all stages of development from requirements analysis to product support. In recent years, more and more companies have resorted to the practice of staff augmentation Europe, which allows them to significantly strengthen project teams and increase development efficiency. In this article, we will look at the key steps in creating a mobile application that can be successfully implemented using the staff augmentation model, which is widely used in Eastern Europe as well.
SDLC — A Structured Approach to Development
Before starting any work, you need to have an idea of where to start, what actions to perform, and what the result will be. That is, the process should consist of sequential stages.
There is a methodology in software development that includes specific stages. It is called the System/Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This methodology systematizes all stages of creating an application from the idea to launch and maintenance. The result is a predictable process that is easy to manage.
The main stages of application development according to SDLC:
- analysis;
- planning;
- design;
- implementation;
- testing;
- implementation or release;
- support.
SDLC is a universal methodology that is suitable for any program. It can also be used to structure the stages of developing a web application, site, or boxed solution.
The SDLC process consists of the steps described above. But they can be performed in different ways. For example, some development teams perform all these actions sequentially, while others plan short sprints, working on the implementation of several functions at the same time. That is, you can create a mobile application using different SDLC models. Here are the most famous ones:
Waterfall Model
In the waterfall model, all stages of program creation follow one after another from analysis to release. This approach is intended for projects with clearly defined requirements, a fixed budget, and deadlines. The stages of creating a mobile application in the waterfall model are agreed upon with the client and documented. Therefore, the result is easy to predict. This model cannot be called flexible, but if all project requirements are known and recorded, the customer will receive exactly the result he expects.
Spiral Model
The spiral model is an approach to development taking into account all risks. It combines the features of the waterfall and iterative models. In this model, at each stage of product creation, the team evaluates all possible solutions, calculates risks, and chooses the best option. For example, after analyzing the market, a development plan is created, and then risks are analyzed. For example, the team calculates whether it is possible to miss deadlines and how to avoid this. Then a prototype is created, which is checked against the requirements, and the team again returns to risk assessment. The spiral development principle is effective when creating large and complex projects where any error must be eliminated. As a result, the product is stable and reliable. This approach is also ideal for projects with frequent releases.
Iterative Model
With this approach, the team creates the product in small cycles. The emphasis is on collaboration and flexibility, each result of the cycle is agreed with the customer. This model allows for quick and efficient software development. It is suitable for projects where the requirements are vague, so the team constantly needs to adapt to changes and circumstances.
If you choose the wrong approach to software development, the entire project can fail. Therefore, it is important to choose a software development model that will suit the specifics and requirements of the project.
Stages of Mobile App Development
SDLC is a convenient approach to creating applications, so most teams use it. Only the development models and process details change.
Planning
The very first phase begins with collecting requirements and then planning according to the received requirements. Some consider this stage to be the most important, and defining, especially from the point of view of the project manager and stakeholders.
At this stage, the following questions are answered:
- How will the application be used?
- What data will be entered into it?
- What will be the output?
- Who will be the users of the app?
Analysis
Once the requirements are known, it is time to analyze them for validity and applicability, as well as the possibility of practical implementation. The team decides whether it is possible to add certain requirements to this product. Next, a Requirements Specification document is created, which serves as a basis for moving on to the next stage.
Design
Here, the design of the requirements described and clarified in the previous stages is carried out. The team selects tools, software, and hardware, and describes the general architecture of the application. The system design specifications prepared at this stage serve as guidelines for the next, fourth, stage. And at the current, third stage, with the active participation of the QA department, a testing strategy is created, which describes what will be tested and how.
Development And Testing
Some teams usually carry out development and testing simultaneously in one stage, while other teams usually divide it into two stages. After the system documentation is created, the development is divided into modules (units), and the actual writing of the code begins.
For the development team, this stage is the most important. After writing the code (or in parallel with it), product testing is performed: functional and non-functional, acceptance, modular and integration, system, performance, usability, etc.
Implementation
This phase begins after the successful completion of testing. It is focused on delivering the product to end users and installing it on client systems.
After this, it is time for beta testing. The bugs found, as well as suggestions for improving the product, are passed on to the developers. Once these are taken into account, the final deployment of the application is carried out.
Support And Maintenance
At this final stage, after the product is released, it is supported by the team (problems that users encounter are eliminated).
Final Thoughts
A good mobile application is created at the intersection of competent planning, high-quality implementation, and continuous improvement. Following the SDLC helps to structure the development process, minimize risks, and achieve high efficiency. Applying European staff augmentation allows you to attract the right specialists exactly when it is needed, which becomes an important advantage for modern business. If you are looking for a reliable company to develop a mobile application, modernize an application, or a provider of data analytics, AI, and cloud solutions, we recommend paying attention to N-iX.