Solutions to routine software development problems
12 Common Software Development Obstacles And How To Tackle Them
Developing and launching new software can be complicated. Within each
step of the development and approval process, there are a lot of variables.
While things can go right, there’s even more that can go wrong—and with
missteps comes the possibility of having to go back to square one.
As frustrating as these obstacles are, there are ways to overcome them
without severely hindering your progress. Below are some of the most common issues
that arise during a software development project and how teams can solve them.
1. Integration Issues
It can be challenging to integrate what you are making with tools your
audience may already be using. You need to find ways to make your product
compatible using application program interfaces (APIs) or partnering with these
other tech brands on ways to work together. - Chalmers Brown, Due
2. Communication Breakdowns
Software development requires a team collaborating to address consumer
needs. Every member has to know a project’s coding strategy, objective and
goals. Otherwise, the fallout affects the manager’s reputation and the team’s
output. A good manager will make sure each team member knows a project’s
multiple facets and immediately educate new hires. This will increase synergy
and productivity. - Arnie Gordon, Arlyn
Scales
3. Unrealistic Or Mismanaged Timelines
One of the most common issues in project management is the infamous
timeline. Being realistic in setting timelines with projects is critical. One
of the best ways to avoid delay in timelines is to brainstorm at the beginning
of the project. Ask the team, “What will break during this process?” When a
bump in the timeline does occur, gather everyone and find the best way forward
and around it. - Maria Mast, Management
and Network Services, LLC
4. Feature Overload
The largest obstacle that I’ve observed when it comes to launching a new
software package is the desire to put too much into one application. To
overcome this, be more specialized rather than more general—look for
sub-niches. Remember, less is more when we are trying to solve a problem.
- Richard Wang, Coding
Dojo
5. Lack Of Alignment Between Sponsor And User Needs
Your executive sponsor’s opinion about what should be built must be
secondary to what the end user needs. Let’s face it, the chances that your boss
is a Steve Jobs visionary are pretty slim, despite what they might think of
themselves. Educate them on the importance of letting the market tell you what
features to build. - Kishan Patel, Kunai
6. Underestimating The Task At Hand
Developers know that there can always be bumps on the road to
deployment. Save yourself some time and hardship by scheduling in some extra
cushion time in case it is needed. In the worst-case scenario, that space is
used to conduct tests on the project or take some much-needed time off. Many
times developers underestimate the task at hand, and an extra cushion can
alleviate pressure and anxiety. - Alexandro Pando, Xyrupt
Technologies
The most common problem is building the wrong thing. Businesses need to
understand not just what a customer is asking for, but “why” they’re asking for
this specifically. The driver of a horse and cart may ask for a better whip to
go faster; in reality, he needs a vehicle, but he doesn’t know it. Businesses
need to determine the “why” to provide the most effective software for their
customers. - Bob Davis, Plutora
8. Underestimating The Importance Of Quality Assurance
To guarantee customer satisfaction, the importance of QA should never be
underestimated. To obtain high-performing and secure products, code quality has
to be reviewed and tested continuously throughout the development stages.
Outsourcing companies can certainly alleviate this process, providing expert
testers who can lead an integrated approach to maximize the quality of your
project. - Nacho De Marco, BairesDev
9. Feature Creep
Feature creep—the excessive expansion of new features—is a common
obstacle I’ve seen software developers confront. The most effective way to
combat this issue is to consistently and thoroughly conduct customer
development interviews to validate each feature and make sure it meaningfully
targets the issue you set out to solve. Continue to conduct these interviews
even after a successful launch. - Kison Patel, DealRoom
10. Security-Related Release Delays
Developers are often focused on getting good, working code (software)
out the door. Often times, security is an afterthought that can really delay
your ability to release code. It behooves developers and product managers to
have security built into the development lifecycle and built into their
go-to-market strategies, including any security certifications and/or other
industry requirements. - James Carder, LogRhythm
11. Not Defining A Target Audience
Your new software might be cool, but not everyone will think it is. If
you don’t define a target audience for your software, then you’ll waste a lot
of time and money marketing it to consumers who have no interest or use for it
at all. So it’s important to define your target audience before launching your
new software. Do thorough audience and market research to find the best
audience. - Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster
12. Underestimating The Demand
One of the unforeseen problems or obstacles to releasing new software or
services is being unprepared for a highly successful launch. Often companies
underestimate the volume of traffic their infrastructure may experience with
the launch of a new product. Building systems that can quickly scale on demand
is critical in avoiding this obstacle and ensuring your site does not crash on
release. - Chris Kirby, Retired
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