Application
Development
Application development is the process of designing, building, testing, and deploying software. A successful AppDev project involves a team with diverse skill sets, including:
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Programmers and software engineers
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Software architects and UI designers
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Testers and QA specialists
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Project managers
Development Approaches
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Planned Development
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All requirements are defined and approved upfront
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Software is built, tested, and deployed in full
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Suited for large projects but can be slow and less adaptable to change
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Iterative (Agile) Development
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Starts with a basic version of the app
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New features added incrementally in short cycles
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Frequent releases allow faster benefits and flexibility to adapt to evolving needs
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What is Application Development?
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Requirement Gathering & Analysis
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Identify the business problem or opportunity
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Define use cases, user needs, and technical requirements
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The complexity of this step depends on the scope of the application
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Project Planning
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Create a project plan based on requirements
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Outline budget, timeline, methodology, required team skills, tools, and deployment environment
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Design & Architecture
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Define application structure, flow, and components
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Ensure considerations for scalability, security, compliance, reliability, and usability
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Coding & Development
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Developers begin writing the software using selected languages and tools
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Depending on the methodology (e.g., agile or waterfall), coding and testing may happen together or separately
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Testing
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Test functionality, security, and performance at various levels
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Include unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT) by end users
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Deployment
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Move the application from development to a live production environment
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Users begin accessing the application, and feedback is collected for future improvements
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Maintenance
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Ongoing support to fix bugs, address security issues, and enhance performance
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Manage backups, updates, and explore cost-saving opportunities like cloud migration
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Decommissioning
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When the application is no longer needed, plan a structured shutdown
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Migrate data and features, archive the system if needed, and ensure continuity with newer solutions
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What steps are involved?
Learn More about
Application Development
Applications may be the core product or service a company offers—such as software, a favourite gaming company, or a consultancy that develops custom software for clients.
For companies not in the software industry, specialized applications are often essential to support internal operations. This is the primary focus of the discussion here, though the principles also apply to businesses that sell or license software.
Purchasing or licensing off-the-shelf applications is typically faster and, when suitable, a smart choice. However, when existing solutions don’t meet specific needs, companies often turn to custom development using internal teams or external contractors.
Custom-built applications allow organizations to:
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Address unique challenges
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Strengthen their brand
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Capitalize on opportunities
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Adapt quickly to market shifts
These tailored solutions—whether desktop, web-based, or mobile—can offer a competitive advantage. They also serve as valuable assets, forming part of the company’s intellectual property portfolio.