The software development irrigates our digital universe. Behind every successful application is an important design process. Indeed, this complex process requires the intervention of numerous actors with diverse skills and the implementation of proven methods.

In the end, everything development project aims to offer a digital tool that meets the requirements initially defined and provides definite added value to end users. The applications developed in this way must not only be functional and ergonomic, but also scalable in order to be updated regularly. An overview of what software development is and what it involves in today's economy.

Software development: what are we talking about?

Software development refers to all the activities that make it possible to build software, that is, a computer program that performs specific tasks for a user.

More specifically, it is the process of designing, writing, testing, and maintaining the source code of software. Source code represents both the instructions and the algorithms written in a programming language that determine how the software works.

The purpose of software development is therefore to produce usable programs that fulfill expected functionalities. Two main types of developments can be distinguished:

• Web applications, accessible online via a browser. For example, they can be e-commerce sites, social networks or online SaaS.
• The software installed directly on the devices. For example, they include office suites, graphics software, antiviruses or video games.

The scope of software development is vast. It is not limited to writing lines of code alone, although this activity remains central. The process involves multiple skills, methods and tools that we will detail later.

Why do software development?

For a company, the motivations for embarking on a software development project are multiple. Here are the main ones:

• Automating business processes: optimize and automate a large number of internal company tasks (inventory management, sales administration, customer follow-up, etc.).
• Differentiate yourself from the competition: stand out with an innovative software solution that is perfectly adapted to the specific needs of the company.
• Improving the customer experience: offer a polished user interface, practical features and a smooth customer journey to increase satisfaction.
• Supporting growth: evolve information systems to absorb the increase in headcount and data volumes.
• Being at the forefront of technology: innovate with the latest advances (AI, IoT, blockchain, etc.) to maintain a strategic lead in its sector.

The stages of the software development cycle

The software development cycle (we also talk about SDLC for Software Development Lifecycle) describes the main stages of development from the initial design of a software to its release into production and maintenance. It provides an essential methodological framework for carrying out a project successfully.

Indeed, software development is not simply a matter of writing a few lines of code. It is a structured process oscillating between pure technical phases and decision-making phases based on the validation, by the client or the project manager, of the guidelines selected.

Now let's look at the essential phases of the software development cycle in more detail:

1 - Needs analysis

This first step is the cornerstone of any software development project. At first, it is a question of identifying with as much precision as possible the purpose and the expected functionalities of the future software.

This phase is based above all on collecting as much information as possible from the customer (or the software owner). Interviews and workshops are thus organized to deeply probe expectations: what types of problems or dissatisfactions should the software alleviate? What tasks should it be able to accomplish? How does it fit into the existing technological environment? Who are the end users and how will they use the software? Etc.

In addition, an analysis of the context, technical constraints and possible software solutions already in place is essential to ask the right questions and ensure that the objectives of the project coincide with the real needs.

All this information feeds into the development of the functional specification, a kind of project identity sheet listing the expected functionalities of the software in black and white. It also includes the methods of implementation, such as the deadlines, the budget allocated and the skills required.

These specifications will guide all subsequent phases of design and implementation. Its precision and comprehensiveness are therefore very important for the successful completion of the project. An omitted need will inevitably result in a missing or poorly adapted feature!

Following the validation of the specifications by the customer, work can begin on the more technical aspects.

2 - Technical design

The key phase of technical design of the software, in English “software design”, then begins. The objective: to explore the various possible solutions to meet the needs listed above, and to decide on structuring technological choices.

In practice, the project manager and his teams work onThe overall layout of the software. How to break down the program into interlinked software components? What technologies should be adopted for each of the components (programming languages, frameworks, libraries...)? How to organize data flows and data processing? What user interface and ergonomics should be designed for the end user?

These reflections generally lead to the development of technical deliverables such as UML diagrams (modeling of use cases and internal functioning), ergonomic models, detailed specifications of the treatments to be programmed, or prototypes.

Upon approval by the customer, this design work will in turn guide the development phase itself.

3 - Development process

The core of the work then follows: software development itself, with the production of the source code. Armed with functional and technical specifications, software developers translate requirements into lines of code into the programming languages selected (Java, Python, JavaScript, etc.).

Concretely, it is about Divide the software into modules (functions, classes, components...) to program the various software components. Each developer is assigned tasks based on the technical architecture established previously. Its role: to code the treatments, interfaces, data access... corresponding to its scope.

The work is guided by a constant concern for quality. Coding best practices are rigorously applied to produce code that is easily maintainable and scalable.

In addition, unit tests automated systems are being developed in parallel. The objective is to ensure that each part of the code performs its function correctly and does not present errors. A growing battery of tests scan all the functionalities of the software as it is developed.

In the end, the source code forms the concrete foundations on which the software will be based, in total accordance with the specifications and design established beforehand.

4 - Deployment

An essential step (and sensitive!) There is still a long way to go before end users can really benefit from the software: its deployment in production.

The developers are proceeding with the integration of the software into the company's existing information systems : databases, third-party applications, network infrastructures and servers... The stakes are high, because the slightest integration problem is likely to cause the project to fail.

An intensive series of acceptance tests is then followed to ensure proper functioning in its real environment. These tests test both the technical solidity of the software and its compliance with business needs of the company.

Careful communication with users finally accompanies the implementation of the product. Training and support are made available to them for an effective use of the new tool.

5 - Maintenance

Finally, the maintenance phase comes in with the correction of the latest malfunctions to solve the residual problems and the possible addition of new functionalities.

The software requires regular updates and evolutions to adapt to new user needs or technological changes.

Moreover, SDLC is not a linear process, but an iterative process with frequent back and forth between phases. Each product deliverable is subject to validation before moving on to the next step. Likewise, it is common to go back in the event of a problem or changing needs.

Who is involved in software development?

Software development requires a wide range of profiles with complementary skills. In addition to human resources, proven working methods and dedicated tools are essential.

Human resources

The diversity of expertise required explains the sometimes large size of the development teams involved:

• The developers actually code the program. They are generally specialized by programming language and type of development (frontend, backend, mobile...).
• Project managers plan and coordinate the smooth running of operations, on time and on budget. They ensure that the requirements of the project are met.
• The analysts are responsible for collecting user needs. They document the functional specifications.
• UX designers design the ergonomics of the software to optimize the user experience.
• The testers check the correct functioning of the product code. They also write test games.
• Business experts also support the project with their knowledge of the field.

Working methods

To effectively coordinate the work of these multidisciplinary teams, methodologies specific to software development are used, such as the V-cycle or the agile methodologies, for example.

According to the latter, which the majority of projects are tending towards today, the project is broken down into prioritized tasks, spread over sprints of fixed duration. Functional deliverables are produced incrementally. Each sprint is subject to a collective review, before planning the next one.

This flexible and collaborative approach improves team productivity.

The tools

The development is based on a wide range of tools that facilitate remote and collaborative work:

• Version managers (Git) to share product code.
• Project monitoring tools (Jira, Trello...).
• Test framework (Selenium, JUnit).
• Continuous integration and deployment (Jenkins, Docker).
• Communication (Slack, Teams).

Good project management capitalizes on the combination of complementary talents, proven methods and efficient tools. It is this triptych that ensures the success of a software development project.

The 3 key points to remember

• Software development is a structured process aimed at producing functional computer programs, from needs analysis to maintenance.
• It uses a wide variety of profiles (developers, project managers, analysts, etc.) and relies on collective working methods as well as dedicated tools.
• The development cycle progresses in successive stages: needs analysis, technical design, coding, testing, deployment and maintenance. Each phase adds value to finally have a perfectly adapted software.

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