When it comes to developing a complex custom software, there are many aspects that can impact a company’s success.
Time, budget or not focusing on the right problem can quickly lead teams down the wrong path – creating a bandage solution for a bigger technical issue.
Canadian software engineering company Spiria takes an end-to-end approach with custom software, helping companies with strategy, design and development.
The team works closely with clients, creating custom digital products, ranging from mobile app development, and analytics tools to e-commerce platforms. Spiria helps its clients “get smart about digital,” relying on its team’s technical expertise to navigate the complex world of software development.
“We’ve worked with companies of all sizes, from small-medium enterprises to Fortune 500 businesses,” says François de Bellefeuille, general manager of Spiria’s Ottawa office. “We rely on that expertise to help develop the best products for our clients.”
Here are four common steps Spiria recommends to ensure a successful software project:
1. Plan your work – and work your plan
Having a strategic plan is a critical starting point when trying to develop software, and can help companies mitigate risk and avoid costly mistakes down the road.
Businesses looking to implement new software need to ensure their team agrees on the success criteria and objectives of the project, outlining what problem they are trying to solve, and how the new technology will help. Having this clear understanding will serve as a guide during the project development process, and can help the team keep the end goal in sight.
It is also important to get buy-in from all of the company stakeholders to ensure nothing is overlooked and the company is working together to ensure the success of the project.
2. Trust your end user
Once a company has identified the problem and how they intend to solve it, focus needs to shift to the end-user. The best way to understand how software will be implemented is by fully grasping the use case for the application.
“You want to discover what drives you to your objective,” says de Bellefeuille “It’s not about offering millions of options, but simply providing what’s needed to improve user experience.”
If a company is working with an outside partner, like Spiria, giving them access to the end-user will also help create a better product. Digital products can be tailored to specific needs, depending on whether the software is operational (intended for employees) or for customers on an external platform.
3. Simplicity is not simple – it’s a big challenge
A common mistake companies can make during the software development stage is trying to incorporate too many elements and features into their product. For Spiria, software should be easy to use and should simplify your life, says de Bellefeuille.
“The focus has to be on simplicity and how quickly you can get a product into the hands of an employee or collaborator to improve their experience,” he says.
When companies are considering integrating a new digital tool, they should avoid adding another layer of work to an existing process – software should be there to add automation and remove steps, not make it more complicated.
4. Ask the experts
For companies that are still unsure about the software development process, or simply need additional expertise, turning to a trusted advisor can help ease that stress and ensure a successful project roll out.
At Spiria, the team uses its wealth of knowledge in the industry to assist clients every step of the way, developing transformational software.
“We use the experience of past projects to make us better and more efficient,” says de Bellefeuille. “We bring over 18 years of experience with different sectors to the table and have worked on more than 2,000 projects.”
Spiria offers “the right team for the right solution,” regardless of industry – working with companies such as ESPI, Searidge Technologies and Nortac Defence.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about leading people to get a job done, says de Bellefeuille, it’s about partnership.
“We jump in and make sure we deliver the objective set in place,” he says. “We’re in the boat with you.”
How can Spiria help you?
To find out more about Spiria, its suite of services or how its team can help your business develop a custom digital project, visit https://www.spiria.com.
