Software, in today’s time, has A LOT to do with a business’s success. It plays an important role in business development and presents an image that is unmatchable in the entire competitive sphere. And precisely that’s why when we think of mobile applications, SaaS, onsite applications, etc. – the consequences of a failed software can be massive!
As technology evolves and advanced tech stacks emerge, developers must work carefully and plan the development process to maximize the technology used for software. Apart from planning, there are a number of other factors that contribute to problems in the development lifecycle and non-compliance with the business objective. More than 50 years after the invention of project methodologies, more than half of all IT projects fail due to a lack of time, resources, funds, software failures, etc.
Shifting our focus exclusively on software failure, let us understand what it is and what all ways can we implement to avoid it.
What is Software Failure?
When a software project fails to deliver what was expected within the agreed-upon budget and time frame, it is considered a failure. In most cases, however, the stakeholders determine whether the project was a success or failure based on their judgment and satisfaction with the outcome. Some projects are considered a failure if they fail to meet the financial forecast or the ROI target. There are several reasons for this, and the good news is that you can overcome each one and make your next project (and the one after that and the one after that) successful with the help of some project management fundamentals.
Reasons for Software Failure
Here are the reasons that cause software failures
- Change in project objectives, organization priorities, etc.
- Inadequate or poor communication
- Undefined risks and opportunities involved in the given project
- Procrastination on the team member’s behalf
- Other
Various Causes of Software Failure
Through this section, we’d understand the different causes that lead to software failures. Once we understand the following parameters, we can- in the future, work on considering the following factors before making a mistake. Let’s begin
Inadequate resource planning
We devise timetables. We organize meetings. We design the structure, themes and interfaces of software structures. But, in the midst of all that project planning, we sometimes forget to plan for our resources. It is a major reason why projects fail. Project management entails resource management, which frequently includes considering other projects. Most of us understand the importance of financial planning.
Goals & objectives that are unclear
Starting work without clear project objectives and goals is a sure way to almost guarantee project failure. After all, there’s no way to know if you’ve succeeded if you’re not sure what you’re attempting to achieve. Consider a simple personal example. Assume you’ve decided to “get in shape.” What does this imply?
- Do you want to lose some weight?
- Muscle building?
- Increase your endurance?
If you simply begin exercising and/or eating healthier–which, to be honest, we should all be doing–your physical condition will improve, but you won’t honestly know if you’ve succeeded. You must have well-defined objectives. In your professional life, having unclear goals is just as likely to lead to failure.
Inadequate project visibility
Regardless of how well-planned your project is, a lack of visibility can quickly lead to failure. It is critical to develop a project management system that provides visibility to all team members, not just the project manager. Project transparency of task status, clear communication, and good document management are all examples of visibility.
Communication gap
It should go without saying, that communication is critical in project management. The communication tools your team will use should be explained and implemented from the start of your project.
Bizarre expectations
Unrealistic expectations, sometimes disguised as unwavering optimism, have destroyed many projects. As a project manager, you must have a clear picture of what your team can accomplish and in what time frame. Once your expectations are in line with reality, you must communicate them to the customer and, in many cases, your bosses.
Ways to Avoid Software Failure
Ensure that the information is imparted correctly
Many projects fail or are challenged as a result of vendor or manager ineptitude. It is critical that your vendor or project manager collects enough information from the client to ensure the success of your software project. Here are some suggestions
- Check whether your vendor or software project manager is asking appropriate and precise questions to the client, which might aid in understanding the finished result. During the discussions, see if they have subject matter experts and project managers.
- Through careful questioning, your vendor, in-house team or third-party contractor should be able to assess the nature of the job and provide virtually exact time and budget estimates for your project.
- An experienced manager should endeavor to grasp the project’s business case and measure the interest of all stakeholders. This is one of many methods for ensuring project success.
Create a proper budget and framework
Expect a genuine timeline from your in-house or outsourced vendor after you’re convinced they understand the needs and nature of the software project. This will ensure that you do not have to chase them down on agreed-upon timelines. Avoid vendors who continually change timetables because it means they haven’t assessed the project as a whole. Similarly, make sure you understand the proposed project budget. Ensure that the costing is solely based on the project’s nature and complexity, rather than on assumptions. If you’re working with a third-party or software outsourcing firm, be very specific when drafting provisions about future cost adjustments, etc.
Design and processes are critical; give them the attention they deserve
Examine whether your vendor or software team can come up with a clear design and implementation strategy. Software project planning and road map design are critical, and if you notice that your in-house or outsourced vendor is diving right into coding in anticipation of early rollouts, be cautious.
Make sure the success metrics are clearly specified
Is your vendor or project manager defining and sharing success measures and KPIs with his team? This will ensure that the team has clear guidelines to follow in order to succeed. If key metrics, such as functional milestones, are not defined, the project may fail because they are not monitored.
Recruit a team with the appropriate skillset
Most vendors/project managers hire the same development team for each phase of the SDLC, ignoring the special talents and expertise that your project may require at different stages to be successful. People sometimes make the error of relying on only one or a few experienced developers and assigning only partially skilled developers beneath them to save money, which leads to software project failure. Interview these junior developers if possible before hiring them to work on your project.
Conclusion
Software development is not a walk in the park. There is always the possibility of human error when developing software, but choosing the right software development company (such as Stellar Digital) makes all the difference. Though you may not have complete control over your software, the right people can at least reduce the likelihood of any software malfunction. They will make every effort to demonstrate their ability to assist you in taking your business to new heights and laurels. So, pick your partner company wisely!
