With more than 10 years developing custom software, we have come across a misconception or two that seem to have been holding back prospective clients. We asked our CEO, Andrew Kerr, where he has seen misconceptions come from and he shared some of the top ones:
Lack of experience in software development: Individuals who are new to the software development process may not have a clear understanding of the complexities involved in building a software product.
Overestimation of technical abilities: Some individuals may overestimate their technical abilities and believe that they can build a software product without understanding the necessary skills and resources required.
Media and marketing: Many technology companies and startups promote their products and services with flashy ads and catchy slogans that make it easy to believe that building a software product is easy and straightforward.
Word of mouth: Individuals may hear from others in the industry or in their personal network that building a software product is easy and straightforward, leading to misconceptions.
It’s important to be aware of these misconceptions and do your own research, consult with experts or read articles and blogs before starting a software development project.
While there are many misconceptions around the topic of building your first software product, we have chosen the top 5 ones we have come across to debunk for you.
Misconception #1: You know what your user wants without asking them.
Some people believe that they know what their users want without actually asking them. However, users are often the best source of information about what technology makes their life easier and what complicates it. It’s essential to find a focus group or work with a consultant to lay the groundwork for more targeted scoping. Learn about FortyAU user research to know more about this.
Misconception #2: Using a large team of resources always means faster results.
It’s not always true that a large team of resources will produce faster results. In fact, a large team can lead to delays and communication issues. It’s important to have a clear project plan and assign tasks to the right people to ensure that the project moves forward smoothly.
Misconception #3: If you know what you want to build, how it should be built is implied.
A common question our sales team hears is “I want to build an app that does XYZ – how much will that cost?” Knowing what an app should do, doesn’t mean it is ready for a developer to begin writing code. Building dev-ready requirements, understanding edge cases, and setting up documentation best practices for success is a necessary step.
Just because you know what you want to build, it doesn’t mean that it’s ready for a developer to start writing code. Building dev-ready requirements, understanding edge cases, and setting up documentation best practices for success is a necessary step.
Misconception #4: Plenty of applications I use all the time have XYZ features, so it should be easy to do.
Just because a feature exists in other software, it doesn’t mean it’s easy to replicate. Different software products may have different technology stacks and architecture, and it’s essential to understand the complexities involved in building a feature before embarking on the project.
Misconception #5: I want to integrate with a 3rd party product, which means we don’t need to build anything.
Many people believe that integrating with a third-party product eliminates the need to build anything. However, this is not true. Reviewing documentation, identifying what API calls are possible/necessary, and trusting that the API is well-documented are essential steps. In some cases, APIs may need to be built to connect existing pieces of software together.
Finding a reliable tech partner is crucial when building a software product. Not only can they provide the necessary technical expertise to help you build and launch a successful software product, but they will also have a deep understanding of the latest technologies and best practices to help you achieve your goals; including misconceptions that need to be addressed upfront!
Read more on some tips and tricks on finding a reliable tech partner in this existing blog we wrote.
Questions on how our existing clients have overcome these misconceptions? Do you have a custom software you want to get ready for production? Let’s connect to see how we can collaborate.
