7 Steps of Custom Application Development in Australian Business Growth

What is a custom application development?

Custom application development involves designing, developing, and deploying software tailored to specific users or use cases. For example, many organizations create bespoke HR portals for their employees and freelancers. Low-code and no-code platforms have led to a new category of citizen developers—tech-savvy team members who can build the apps they need to optimize business processes without traditional coding.

Previously, creating custom apps was the responsibility of in-house development teams or IT departments. Today, low-code platforms enable businesses to develop the apps they need without relying solely on professional coders.

The Australian market for application development software reflects the growing demand for such tailored solutions. Revenue in this sector is projected to reach US$3.70 billion by 2024. This growth trend is expected to continue, with an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.61% from 2024 to 2029, leading to a market volume of US$4.86 billion by 2029.

This trend highlights the increasing investment in custom application development that caters to specific needs, underscoring the importance of developing solutions that are both specialized and adaptable to evolving user requirements.

7 Steps of Custom Application Development in Australia

An efficient custom application development process is essential for delivering high-quality applications effectively in Australia. By adopting strategic best practices, businesses can experience reduced development cycles, fewer errors, enhanced team collaboration, and ultimately deliver applications that meet user expectations and business goals. Here are eight best practices for achieving this:

Thorough Requirements Gathering

Invest time in collecting and documenting comprehensive project requirements for custom application development. Employ techniques such as digital product discovery to identify and validate user needs and market opportunities before commencing development.

• Integrate user stories and acceptance criteria to define the functionality and priorities clearly.
• Set clear project goals and desired outcomes.
• Develop a detailed project plan with specific milestones and timelines.
• Ensure effective communication of goals to all stakeholders.

Don’t Forget Documentation

Maintaining up-to-date documentation is a crucial step for a successful custom application development process. Comprehensive documentation—including code comments, architecture diagrams, and user manuals—ensures code consistency, supports new team members, and enhances overall project clarity. Here are key practices to follow:

• Document System Architecture: Include details about system design, APIs (Application Programming Interface), and data models.
• Create User Manuals and Guides: Provide clear instructions and support materials for end users.
• Keep Documentation Current: Regularly update documents to reflect changes in the codebase and system.
• Utilize Documentation Tools: Employ tools and platforms to organize and manage documentation efficiently.

Implement Agile Project Management

The Australian market has struggled to meet the demand for experienced and qualified project managers, with 100% of business managers uncertain about the benefits that their organization’s projects typically achieve.

Adopting Agile project management methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban, is an effective way for the custom application development process. Agile practices help ensure that the development team remains aligned with evolving requirements and can quickly adapt to changes. Here’s how to effectively implement Agile:

• Break the Project into Manageable Tasks: Divide the project into smaller tasks or user stories to make progress more manageable and trackable.
• Plan Sprints with Clear Objectives: Organize work into sprints with specific goals and tasks, allowing for focused and incremental development.
• Hold Daily Stand-Up Meetings: Conduct brief daily meetings to monitor progress, address issues, and ensure that the team stays on track.
• Conduct Regular Retrospectives: Evaluate the process at the end of each sprint to identify areas for improvement and implement changes for continuous enhancement.

Watch more: 10+ Best Web Application Development Companies in 2024

Adopt the Right Tools and Frameworks

Choosing the right tools and frameworks is essential for enhancing efficiency in custom application development. They provide specific functionality and structure, aligning with project requirements and team capabilities. Here’s how to select the appropriate tools and frameworks:

• Assess Project Requirements: Evaluate the technology stack, scalability needs, and compatibility with existing systems to ensure alignment with your project goals.
• Research and Identify Tools: Explore and select tools, libraries, and frameworks that are relevant to your project’s needs and objectives.
• Consider Custom Development Services: Utilize specialized services for functionalities like authentication, payment processing, or cloud services to streamline development and focus on core project aspects.

Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

CI/CD pipelines are applied in custom application development to automate the building, testing, and deployment of code changes. This approach streamlines the development process and helps maintain code quality. Here’s how to effectively set up and use CI/CD for custom application development:

• Establish a Code Review Process: Focus on code security, quality, adherence to best practices, and bug identification to ensure robust and reliable code.
• Configure Automated Builds and Tests: Set up automated processes for building and testing code to quickly identify and address issues.
• Ensure Version Control: Use version control systems, like Git, to manage code changes and maintain a history of modifications.
• Automate Deployment: Implement automated deployment processes to efficiently move code to staging and production environments.

Effective Feature Prioritization

It enhances the quality of application products by ensuring that essential functionalities are addressed first. This approach of custom application development allows for thorough testing, refinement, and timely delivery, making the development process more focused and efficient. Here’s how to implement effective feature prioritization:

• Create a Prioritization Framework: Use models like MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have) or the Kano model to structure and assess feature importance.
• Evaluate and Rank Features: Assess features based on user value and project goals to determine their priority.
• Develop High-Priority Features First: Focus on implementing and refining the most critical features to meet core user needs and project objectives.
• Continuously Reevaluate Priorities: Regularly review and adjust feature priorities as project requirements and market conditions evolve.

Perform Automated Testing

This step is significant for validating code quality and detecting regressions early in the development process. Developing a comprehensive suite of tests or utilizing test automation services can significantly enhance testing efficiency and reliability. Here’s how to effectively perform automated testing of custom application development process:

• Identify Test Cases: Define test cases for unit, integration, and end-to-end testing to cover various aspects of the application.
• Implement Automated Test Scripts: Use testing frameworks to create automated scripts that execute the defined test cases.
• Integrate Tests into CI/CD Pipeline: Incorporate automated tests into the CI/CD pipeline to ensure continuous validation of code changes.
• Run Tests on Code Changes: Automatically execute tests whenever code changes occur to promptly identify and address issues.

Watch more: 10 Best Web Application Development Agencies in 2024

Conduct Performance Monitoring

Last but not least, real-time performance monitoring is optimal for identifying and addressing bottlenecks and system issues, ensuring that your application can scale effectively. Here’s how to implement effective performance monitoring in custom application development:

• Set Up Monitoring Tools: Utilize performance profiling tools such as Prometheus or New Relic to track and analyze application performance.
• Define Performance Metrics and Alerts: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and set up alerts to monitor system health and performance.
• Continuously Monitor System Performance: Regularly observe system performance to detect and respond to issues promptly.
• Analyze Data: Review performance data to identify and resolve bottlenecks, optimizing code and infrastructure as needed.

Conclusion

Finally, achieving fast, high-quality, and custom application development is possible with the right practices. Emphasizing clear planning, collaboration, automation, and continuous improvement ensures that your applications meet deadlines, exceed user expectations, and endure rigorous testing.

For over 18 years, SmartOSC has specialized in custom software development, delivering tailored solutions at transparent prices. We focus on understanding our clients’ needs to design applications that drive business success. To learn more about how we can support your business, call or click to contact us today!