Custom Software Development FAQs
Since Inverse-Square was founded we've worked hard to perfect our craft for the benefit of our clients. To ensure transparency, we communicate the progress of each project with weekly reports and updates. Based on our experience and the feedback we have received, we have compiled a list of FAQs about the custom software development process.
Why is custom software so expensive?
Building a custom web application is a time consuming endeavor. It takes time to learn the processes of your business, time to gather requirements, to flesh out your needs, and time to build the software. And as they say, time is money.
Recommended Reading: Custom Software in Six Steps
How could my business benefit from custom software?
A custom business software solution increases process efficiency through process automation. When business processes are properly automated, they minimize the waste in time and resources that the original processes contained.
Recommended Reading: Improve Workplace Productivity With Process Automation
Why is custom software development often behind schedule and over budget?
Each custom software system is like it says on the tin, custom. Each project is the first one like it and budgeting for the unknown can be challenging. At Inverse-Square we have a process in place that gets us as close as possible.
Recommend Reading: The Art of Estimating Custom Software Development
What is IP and how important is it that I own it?
IP stands for Intellectual Property. When you deal with anything creative you have to think about copyright and the intellectual property on that work and that includes the creation of software code.
Recommended Reading: Who Owns the Custom Software Code?
How do you manage our project?
There are two types of methodologies that custom software developers usually rely on, Agile or Waterfall. In our young industry, there's still a lot of debate over which one of the different project management styles are best. At Inverse-Square we choose to manage our projects using a combination of each in our own hybrid approach, preferring to focus on the pragmatic over the theoretical.
Recommended Reading: Managing Software Development Projects - Agile vs. Waterfall
What does a standard contract look like?
There are different types of contracts to choose from when contracting custom web application development. A flexible developer will attempt to match the specific nature of the project with the contract, but a responsible developer will also advise you that the contract should share the burden fairly between both parties.
Recommended Reading: Four Types of Contracts For Custom Software Development
I'm thinking about hiring someone off shore; what should I watch out for?
In short, everything. Language barriers and lack of proximity leads to breakdowns in communication and quality. Do yourself a favor and stay local.
Recommended Reading: Weekly Client Communication & Reporting
If things don't go well, am I sunk?
We make communication and transparency our top priorities so this doesn't happen. Right out of the gate we work hard to make sure that not only the project is a good fit, but the relationship with the client is as well. Through each step of the process and the build we keep you in the loop weekly so you know what to expect and what is happening, but a good development company should have places in their process/relationship where you can cleanly exit. Make sure you know what the process is for leaving and what those different 'leaving' options are.
Recommended Reading: The Custom Software Guide
If you have any questions that I haven't covered here, or if you would like to discuss how Inverse-Square can help your organization save time and resources contact us today!