Mobile App Development Process – Rocket Science or a Piece of Cake?

Creating an app does not guarantee success even if it has a practical use. Instead, its development process determines its performance in the marketplace. For example, will it have the edge over its competitors? Will it address the needs that potential users have? Will it fulfill these needs efficiently? Creating a comprehensible mobile app development process answers these questions.

You can create this comprehensible process in the following ways.

1. Conception and Strategy

In this stage, you discover a new idea, or you optimize a particular process. You have to analyze the merits of going ahead with the project in both cases. This analysis includes identifying the potential users of the app and the platform upon which they will access it. Determine the features that are necessary for them to draw value from the application. Conduct market research including analyses of products by competitors. Then identify your team and possible risks that the project entails. Finally, present your monetization strategy if it is necessary.

2. Product Design UX and UI

User Interface (UI) and UX (User Experience) are critical to the app development process because they contribute to the appeal and practicability of the application. Unfortunately, many developers focus on the aesthetic aspects of the app forgetting that user experience is critical to the development process. Avoiding this mistake is possible by dealing with UX at the onset of the project. For example, developers can deal with it by creating the necessary wireframes and user workflows before moving on to UI.

3. The Coding Stage

Define the details of the proposed mobile application and then represent them on a single screen. The coding process starts from this point. In other words, the role of the developer in this stage is to convert the agreed upon design into code. This conversion requires the use of a suitable programming language that is compatible with the chosen platform for the app. Do not forget that well-developed coding reduces the need for extensive work when it comes to testing or maintaining the application.

4. Testing the Application

This stage seeks to determine if the app meets the standards set for it in the conceptualization phase. It also evaluates the application to ascertain if they are challenges with it that were unforeseen. Third parties should test the app because developers have an inherent bias when it comes to it. The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) recommends 20 different tests for applications. Some of them are usability, functionality, and security tests. Testing it on various smartphones and operating systems is also an excellent idea.

5. Deployment and Maintenance

This one is the final phase of the app development process. You start by deploying your web server into an environment that is scalable. Then you place the application in the appropriate platform. This platform could be the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or an internal corporate store. Maintenance work starts as soon as deployment is successful. The effort put into this work depends on how good the coding for the app was. Usually, developers update an application every six months. Monitoring the way users use the app is also critical for future developments or updates.

Conclusion

Application development processes are tedious and iterative. However, presenting them to clients in a comprehensible way is critical. Doing so encourages them to invest their time and effort in the development of an application. A well-elaborated development process simplifies the world for developers as well because it helps them work systematically and cohesively.