Process of App Development
8 Key Stages of Development Process
If you are contemplating building a mobile app, 1Cyber breaks down the app development process into eight (8) different stages: pre-design, design, development and support. We can take a modular approach and handle these stages individually, but the biggest value-add we can offer is taking a project from beginning to end. With that in mind, we’ve created the guidelines below, to walk you through the full process, explaining what each stage is and what clients get out of it.
Stage 1 - Discovery
First, we want the basic details from your end. Like what kind of application you want to develop, what is your budget, what is your timeline, do you have any other app similar to your app idea?
Before we write one line of code or pick up the paintbrush we need to understand your business and identify potential opportunities. We identify who your target audience is so we can design a powerful user experience that connects with your target customer.
At 1Cyber, we believe that “healthy discussions lead to trustworthy relationships for future ventures.” The more we know about your app idea, the better we can assist you.
Stage 2 - Scoping
After consultation with you, we have a kick-off meeting, where we decide the team members and provide recommendations or suggestions for your app development.
Our process in the meeting starts with a QA involvement and test case availability. The early involvement enables QA to understand customer requirements better. Application flow-related queries get resolved in the very initial phase.
Once requirement analysis and designs get freeze QA starts with the test cases creation. It requires 20% extra efforts of whatever efforts we have estimated for testing.
We try to cover the maximum positive and negative test scenarios while writing test cases. We also create a test plan document to define testing scope and objective but it depends upon the project requirement. This allows us proper cost estimation for your app and provides a feasible concept of real mobile app or website.
Stage 3 - Non-Disclosure Agreement
Now after the test cases and cost estimation, if you are willing to go ahead with us for your customized mobile app development, we make it official by signing the agreement, NDA.
We ensure that your app idea is safe with us. In fact, it avoids misunderstandings or miscommunication between us.
After completion of project discussion and providing an estimation, the next step is to sign a project development agreement which is the key to associate with Space-O Technologies.
The agreement contains – Project deliverable, Milestones, Legal clauses, and Reference/Annexures.
Our real-work starts after signing an agreement which consists of understanding project requirements, defining communication method, scheduling scrum meetings, file sharing, and expected delivery phases in set milestones.
Stage 4 - Wireframing
After the project, requirements are understood and communication methods are set, the question of how much time will it take to design an app arises. The designing part is the most intricate mobile app development process step.
What is the wireframe?
The wireframe can be understood as a pillar for your application website. It helps you to understand the flow of the system and gives a rough idea of how the system would function. The wireframe helps in the precise estimation of the development timeline. It also helps the designers get a gist of the system flow and aid them in creating flawless and accurate designs.
Why do we need wireframe?
An app has many features, for instance, you want a chat feature in your app. But there are a variety of different chat types viz one-to-one chat, group chat, timeline management. That particular requirement can be clearly penned down in wireframes and gives an idea to the stakeholder how the chat flow would work.
What do we deliver during this phase?
Up to this point, there is no need to write a single line of code. Remember, changing code is always more costly. It is therefore a best practice to get the design correct so there will be no need to recode. The design phase is concluded with the artwork and storyboard for the actual app. After sending the artwork and storyboard, we wait for your feedback and make the revisions, if any, according to your preference.
Stage 5 - Coding
Upon the final approval on the design, we make start app development process and code the actual app. Project manager defines tasks to the developers and a systematic mobile app development plan is made to achieve the set milestones.
We value your time and money, thus, a dertailed discussion of every idea, thought, suggestions or decisions are done with you.
The progress of the app development process steps is given to you by a “walk-through of the developed app screens” via project management tools like Clickup.
We would have a weekly meeting over Microsoft Teams in addition to the instant messaging group to appraise you on updates and progress. During which, we will hear your thoughts and allay any concerns.
App Testing for bugs is performed continuously on each deliverable as to ensure bugs are fix as soon as it is found.
For Android development, we use the following technologies
- Programming language: Java, Kotlin
- IDE: Android Studio
- Database: SQLite, Realm
- Tools: Android SDK, Android NDK
For iOS development, we use the following technologies
- Language: Swift, Objective C
- IDE: XCode
- Database: SQLite, Realm, CoreData
For PHP development, we use the following technologies
- Languages: PHP, RoR, GOLang, Node js, Angular Js, React Js, .Net
Stage 6 - User Acceptance Testing
The main Purpose of UAT is to validate end to end business flow. It does not focus on cosmetic errors, spelling mistakes or system testing. User Acceptance Testing is carried out in a separate testing environment with production-like data setup. It is kind of black box testing where two or more end-users will be involved.
Once the App is fully developed, you will be engaged to perform the final User Acceptance Testing prior to actual publishing to the Stores.
In this phase, any function of feature requested that was not previously accepted at the end of wireframe acceptance will be treated as a new feature or function request to be handled as a separate project.
Unless this function of feature be vital to the success of the app, we recommend to progress to the next stage and revisit once full delivery is performed.
Stage 7 - Launching
How to publish app on Appstore and Playstore?
Don’t worry. We assist our customer for uploading their application on Appstore and Playstore without charging any additional cost.
What do we need from your end?
We only need developer account credentials from the customers to upload it.
Is it easy to publish the application?
The AppStore and Playstore are having strong policies to make the app live, but we do have quite good expertise in this domain where our experts help our customers to get it live.
Stage 8 - Post Support
As your application gets in the hands of users, feedback will pour in and for future versions of the app, you will need to incorporate that as an app update.
Every app will need changes, new features, code revision and technological updates. This is especially true as Apple and Google releases new versions of code and enforces apps to be updated and republished to meet their requirements.
Typically, as soon as the first version of your app is released, the development cycle begins anew.
It is very important that you consider the cost of support for your apps.
