For an organisation that develops software systems in-house, our challenge is to improve the way software is conceived, designed, constructed and deployed – in other words, improving the Software Development Process.

A process is simply a series of actions that achieve a goal. A software development process is therefore a series of actions that lead to the modification or creation of software. A good software development process should define the way in which an organisation:

• Manages initial requirements and changes to requirements

• Manages changes to software

• Designs and builds software components

• Releases prototypes and finished software

• Communicates software specifications and designs

• Tests software

• Assembles and maintains software development teams

• Manages projects

• Reviews and refines its software development process.

So can one software development process be used across all our projects? Well, no – because each project is different. A large, formal software development process would stifle smaller projects while complex projects may career out of control with a lightweight, informal process. Additionally, different companies and cultures require different approaches to the act of developing software. We have found that implementing a rigid, comprehensive software development process achieves the following:

• Great looking process manuals that no-one reads

• Projects that take longer than they should

• Projects that produce irrelevant documentation

• Frustrated developers and customers.

Conversely, implementing a lightweight software development process will lead to ambiguity and confusion – and will ultimately fail. Our challenge therefore, is to implement a software development process that is right for the organisation, and which can be customised for each project. A process that provides a set of best practices and guidelines with the flexibility to adapt to different project attributes.

At ExpertEase, we specialise in enhancing the way an organisation develops software in-house. Here’s how we might go about this:

• Review the organisation’s current software development capability

• Make recommendations for change

• Communicate high-level concepts to all development teams

• Select a project to review process effectiveness. For a project:

• Review project attributes and communicate development strategy for the project

• Mentor team members in new techniques

• Deliver software

• Review the effectiveness of the software development process and learn how to do it better

• Select the next project, and continue until the organisation is self-sufficient.

At ExpertEase, our experts have worked within many projects guiding teams and enhancing an organisation’s software development capability. We are not radicals – we steadily and gradually introduce change.

Ultimately, we will help your organisation implement the highest quality software systems on time, and within agreed budgets – time after time.

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