Nowadays, IT teams want to find the right balance between classical and agile software development methodologies. While any of them might sound like a perfect solution theoretically, the practice might show otherwise. Agile projects grow into relentless scope creep without any direction, while heavily documented processes end up being heavily bureaucratic and inefficient.

If you want to find out more about what software development methodologies are out there and how we use them at Intellectsoft, check out our webinar recording from BrightTalk. 

In this article, we explore how the Stage Gate Process is beneficial for IT teams. It emerged as a risk-reducing tactic for product development in other industries and now starts to gain traction in the digital realm.

What is the Stage Gate Process?

Stage Gate process is a project management technique that breaks down projects into distinct stages with decision points (“gates”) between them. Companies can use it in software development, but it’s not the most common approach. 

The Stage Gate methodology has its roots in the 1960s within the New Product Development (NPD) practices of major pharmaceutical and aerospace companies. These industries dealt with complex projects requiring significant resources, risk management, and regulatory hurdles. The Stage Gate process template provided a way to break down these projects into manageable phases with clear instructions for go/no-go decisions.

How is the Stage Gate Process Used in SDLC?

In software development, the Stage Gate Process is reminiscent of hybrid methodologies like the Spiral Model and Rational Unified Process that connect the best of both polar opposites: Waterfall and Agile. 

Stage Gate Process is rather a simplified alternative because the so-called “gates” in the sense of milestones are basically present in every other software development methodology out there. However, it does include ideation and business case creation, which are often left out in common SDLC workflows. In this regard, the Stage Gate Process offers a more holistic approach to product development where the actual production is a logical outcome of the business needs.

So, Which Projects is It Good For?

• Large, complex projects: For major software development initiatives, Stage Gate can provide structure and control.
• Highly regulated industries: Some industries have strict compliance requirements that benefit from the structured approach of Stage Gate.
• Risk-averse companies: For companies prioritizing risk mitigation, the decision points of Stage Gate can offer reassurance.

Alternatives to Stage Gate Process

• Agile methodologies: More iterative and adaptable, better suited for rapid changes and uncertain requirements.
• Lean development: Focuses on minimizing waste and delivering value quickly through feedback loops and continuous improvement.

Ultimately, the best approach depends on the specific project and the company’s needs. Keep in mind that unless you work in a heavily regulated industry, you don’t necessarily have to do everything by the Stage Gate book. Opt for optimizing if you like some parts of this approach and dislike others. Your team can hybridize the Stage Gate Process to have some understandable structure to follow while keeping the flexibility options, for example. It is better to follow what works best for you rather than adopting Scrum and then having robotic stand-ups where people are involved just formally.

5 Phases of the Stage Gate Process

Go! 🏇

You’re good to launch! The tech works, the market wants it, and the numbers add up. Time to hit the gas and execute the plan.

Kill It 🙈

Not every idea wins. Maybe tech hurdles are insurmountable, the market shifted, or costs outweigh benefits. Shutting down saves resources and lets you focus on better bets.

Hold On ✋

Hit a temporary stop sign. Maybe you’re waiting for key partners, the market needs time to evolve, or your team is busy elsewhere. Define clear conditions for restarting when things change.

Rework It 👷

The design needs tweaks, user feedback demands changes, or finances need fixing. Refine your plan, address issues, and re-enter the race with a stronger engine.

Go With Conditions 🚸

Proceed with caution! You get the green light, but specific milestones need hitting, uncertainties resolved, or external approvals secured. Prove you’re on track before going full speed.

Key 6 Gates of the Stage Gate Process

Just like any project milestones, Stage Gates represent some structures that you have to pass. In order to be approved for the passage, you need to study what has been done up until this point and meet some predetermined criteria.

Let’s review those six gates in more detail.

To understand Stage Gates in a less boring way, let’s imagine a software project as your favorite RPG. Think of the code delivery as a grand quest and Stage Gate as a series of key milestones. Each phase brings unique challenges and rewards, shaping your journey to success.

Gate 1: Ideation (The Tavern)

This is where your initial spark ignites! Brainstorm ideas, explore possibilities, and gather your team. Define your quest’s core problem to solve and its value (impact/reward).

Gate 2: Scoping (The Cartographer’s Tent)

Map your journey in detail. What features are essential (main quest)? What can wait (side quests)? Define the tech stack (your tools) and estimate the resources needed (gold and supplies).

Gate 3: Business Case (The New Quest)

Convince the stakeholders(NPCs). Research the market (terrain), identify your target audience (allies), and estimate potential rewards (profit). Show your project is worth the risk (stage gates).

Gate 4: Development (The Forge)

Time to build your software (hero)! Use your chosen tech stack (tools) to craft features and functionalities (armor and weapons). Your team works through sprints (quests) to progress.

Gate 5: Testing & Validation (The Arena)

Put your hero to the test! Users (battle opponents) provide feedback, revealing strengths and weaknesses. Iterate and refine (train and level up) before the final launch (battle).

Gate 6: Launch & Beyond (The Victory Celebration)

Release your hero into the wild! Support users (allies), gather feedback (loot) and address issues (monsters). Remember, the quest never truly ends – adapt and evolve (new quests) to conquer future challenges!

Stage Gate Process Example

Imagine you’re a PO working on a mobile app for one of Intellectsoft’s clients in the construction industry. Key business stakeholders want to upgrade the app to introduce a better UX and enhanced functionality. They give you the task of researching what features to add, what bugs to fix, and how to increase the overall experience. After the validation of the presented ideas, your team will develop all the updates. While the scope is yet to be discovered, one requirement is already crystal clear: you need to use the Stage Gate process for managing this project.

Phase 1: The Brainstorming

Your team gathers in the office kitchen, fueled by coffee from the machine, and discusses the next Stage Gate for the construction app. Ideas fly: “What if we could track materials in real-time, saving time and money?” You define the core problem – inefficient material tracking, and the added value – increased productivity and cost savings.

Phase 2: The Blueprint

The project backlog is enriched with new items. Features like GPS tags, inventory management, and progress reports take shape. You assess the tech stack (cloud platforms, APIs) and estimate resources (development time, budget).

Phase 3: The Investor Pitch

Time to convince the stakeholders. Your BA mates present market research with a beautiful presentation on industry trends and competitor analysis, showcasing how your feature solves real pain points and generates profit in the form of increased subscriptions and reduced project delays.

Phase 4: The Coding

The coding commences! Your development team builds the feature using chosen tools. Sprint after sprint, you see new features like GPS tracking and inventory management come alive.

Phase 5: The Beta Build

Real construction sites become your testing grounds. Beta testers are real sector employees like foremen and site workers. They provide feedback. As a result, bugs are squashed, and features are refined. For example, you decided to add alerts for low material stock. The fresh new features undergo user acceptance testing before launch.

Phase 6: The App Store Celebration

Your features go live! Users download the app upgrade, construction projects run smoother, and positive reviews flow in. But the journey continues. You gather feedback, continue fixing bugs, and plan future enhancements to keep your app at the top of the construction app charts.

So, will your real-time material tracking system revolutionize construction? With well-navigated Stage Gate project management, your app could be the next big thing!

What Are the Benefits of the Stage Gate Process?

Transparency

The defined stages and gate reviews promote clear communication and collaboration among stakeholders, ensuring everyone is aligned with project goals and decisions.

Flexibility

The ability to hold or recycle projects allows teams to adapt to changing market conditions or unexpected challenges, ensuring the project remains relevant and feasible.

Better Outcomes

Early identification and termination of unviable projects minimize wasted resources and financial losses associated with failed projects.

Wrapping Up

Overall, the higher project success rate that is associated with employing Stage Gate is most likely associated with a clear structure and quick elimination of inefficiencies. Streamlined decision-making helps to allocate resources with maximum efficiency while reducing risks and waste.

Intellectsoft offers a variety of project management techniques that are tailored uniquely to the business and technical needs of our customers. For instance, we designed a mobile solution for Ernst & Young that empowered investors with a customizable financial forecast interface.

The post Stage Gate Process: All You Need to Know appeared first on Intellectsoft Blog.

What is Cloud Computing

Cloud technologies allow users to access required facilities and services, such as computational or storage resources, using network connections, usually via the Internet. This greatly reduces the need for servers and other hardware located on the premises. Instead, if users or clients require such resources, they may connect to data centers that “rent” access to their hardware.

So, in layman’s terms, the “cloud” is a number of data centers that contain many servers. When information is stored “in the cloud,” it means that it is kept on special servers configured for this purpose. If a software application is deployed “in the cloud,” it runs using the computational resources of one or several servers.

Thanks to cloud services, software developers can create and use a remote distributed infrastructure. This infrastructure can be tailored and easily amended according to the current needs of the development team. Cloud service providers usually have flexible plans and pricing models. Most providers have data centers around the world to offer the best possible speed and accessibility regardless of users’ location.

When developers create a cloud-based application, they essentially split its structure into two parts. The server-side part is deployed on a cloud server in a data center. The client-side part can be installed on a user device in the form of a software program using an installation executable file or a software distribution service that is pre-built in an operating system, such as Google Play in Android, Windows Store in Windows, Apple Store in iOs, and so on. As an alternative, cloud-based apps can be accessed using web browsers without any additional software.

Depending on the ownership and access policies, clouds can be private, public, or hybrid. Private clouds are quite expensive and require extensive management and maintenance. Because of that, they lose some advantages of cloud computing, namely the high flexibility and cost efficiency of public clouds. However, they are essential when a company needs to build a closed digital environment with high levels of control and security. Most often, this is required to prevent leaks of confidential information, for example, in Healthcare, Fintech, research and development (R&D), and other areas.

Models and Practices of Cloud Deployment

The choice of a cloud deployment model depends on the requirements of the deployed software. Those involve the amount of needed resources, the specific infrastructure, such as an operating system, databases, application libraries, runtimes, servers, and so on. Most commonly, providers offer three choices:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

This is the largest option that gives more freedom and control to software developers. The infrastructure usually involves running a virtual machine with the help of hypervisor software. It comprises computing capabilities, data storage, networking means, load balancers, and other physical and virtual resources. As a popular alternative to hypervisors, a Linux system kernel with isolated containers can be used.

Basically, IaaS is a digital building lot where specialists can install required operating systems and application software. In the IaaS model, users have to maintain applications and operating systems themselves by installing patches and functional updates. The price in this model is calculated according to the amount of resources rented from data centers and the amount of resources that was consumed during the billing period.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

This model usually comes with a pre-configured environment to install and run applications. A platform often includes an operating system selected by a customer, a specific environment configured for a particular programming language, a database with corresponding management tools, and a web server.

Since many aspects of the PaaS model are managed by its provider, clients have less control over their platforms in comparison to the IaaS model, for example. On the other hand, this means that software developers who work on platforms can focus on their tasks more effectively and do not have to worry about handling a complex infrastructure and its maintenance.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

This model allows users to access and use a particular software product installed on a cloud offered by a cloud service provider. Similar to other cloud service models, SaaS is subscription-based. This means it grants a temporary license to use web-hosted software. However, usually this model has a “freemium” feature, where users can use some basic functions free of charge, but advanced functions require payment. Access to such software is provided through a web browser.

SaaS includes a wide range of specialized computer programs that can be used by software development companies. Most often, they are various enterprise management systems that increase the productivity of different departments. For example, such software includes systems for enterprise resource planning, human resource management, content management, invoicing, and so on. Other types of SaaS are, for example, office software suites, messengers, software for computer-aided design, database management systems, project management tools, and others.

Applications distributed using a SaaS model have several characteristic features that must be taken into account. First, such applications have only one version or configuration, so there are no version conflicts among various workstations using the same app. Second, SaaS apps are hosted centrally, meaning that if a provider decides to implement an update, all users have to comply. There is no option for users to keep an old version of a cloud-based app, as it would be possible, for example, for desktop-installed software.

The growing demand and diversity of needs from clients resulted in new models of cloud computing. They have appeared relatively recently and have not yet gained the same popularity as the three “conventional” models listed above. The examples of such new types include Function as a service (FaaS) and Mobile backend as a service (MBaaS).

The Benefits of Cloud Computing in Software Development

These days, users are so accustomed to the benefits of cloud technologies that it is hard to imagine a modern world without them. It’s no wonder, considering the level of convenience they bring to everyday life. However, the full range of advantages offered by cloud services also covers many professional aspects.

1. Cost efficiency. The biggest advantage of cloud computing is its reduced cost in comparison to purchased hardware. Depending on the models, in some cases, there are even free tiers where basic services are provided for free, and the rest require monthly or annual subscriptions.
2. Location-independent development. Cloud services are available worldwide. Basically, if a place has Internet access, then clients can use cloud technologies from there. This means that the development team can be distributed around the world. For example, in the case of a large project, one group of specialists may work from an office in London, and other groups may be located in San Francisco, New York, Oslo, and other global IT hubs.
3. Extended user reach. When an application is deployed in a cloud, it becomes available globally. Usually, cloud service providers take required measures to reduce the latency so that users of cloud-based apps have low response times regardless of their location. Additionally, cloud applications require only a web browser, and hardware specifications of user devices are of less importance because most computations are performed in the cloud and not on the client side.
4. Increased scalability. One of the most convenient features of cloud technologies is their ability to scale up or down. It means that developers may add extra resources when they are needed or remove unused resources to save costs. Additionally, cloud services usually support both horizontal and vertical scaling. For example, to handle a peak load event, they can allocate more RAM and CPU cores or more servers with a load balancer. Scaling may be performed manually or automatically based on a preset configuration.
5. Less maintenance. Depending on the model, hardware and software maintenance can be the duty of a cloud service provider. Though the cost of maintenance is included in the subscription price, it is cheaper than performing it on the premises. This way, cloud service users do not have to hire technicians for this task, buy parts for server repairs or upgrades, and so on, unless they have a private cloud.
6. Improved security and disaster recovery. Cloud service providers invest in data protection measures because they have their business reputation on the line. Due to distributed data storage and backup means, the chance of data loss is usually lower than in the case of storing information on the premises.
7. Higher productivity. Clouds allow multiple people to work on the same project at the same time, which is invaluable for development teams. Besides, cloud technologies include many systems to optimize the management of tasks, projects, departments, and enterprises.

Challenges and Risks of Cloud Computing in Software Engineering

1. Security issues. Due to data centralization, storing information on a cloud is like putting all your eggs into one basket. A well-configured private cloud is an excellent storage solution, but if it is breached, the results can be disastrous. Public clouds are far less reliable, as proven, for example, by several breaches of WD’s My Cloud and Apple’s iCloud services. As the number of such breaches rises, more IT specialists express their concerns with cloud computing.
2. Reliance on service providers. To access cloud services, you need both an Internet provider and a cloud provider. If any of them is down or experiences difficulties, clients won’t be able to use their clouds. In such cases, the work processes of teams and entire companies may be compromised. This potential risk factor is among the main disadvantages of cloud computing.

Final Words

Thanks to its numerous advantages, cloud computing in software engineering has become a popular standard. That’s why, in Intellectsoft, we extensively utilize and implement cloud technologies. Our specialists understand the importance of cloud computing and have mastered the skills to implement them in custom software. Contact us and hire a reliable, professional team for cloud computing solutions.

The post Cloud Computing in Software Development appeared first on Intellectsoft Blog.

The agile model prioritizes the rapid delivery of functioning software products and process flexibility, which gets software into customers’ hands faster. It’s an iterative and incremental approach that ensures the end product is always up-to-date and in line with the client’s needs. And for this reason, the agile methodology is used by at least 71% of companies in the U.S. alone.

8 Benefits of Agile in Software Development

According to the Association for Project Management, agile project management is an iterative approach to delivering a project throughout its life cycle. Agile life cycles, also called iterative life cycles, break projects down into several incremental steps, or iterations, that help them progress toward completion. Software developers use this approach because it helps enhance speed and adaptability, unlike linear (one in which something changes or progresses directly from one stage to the next with a defined start and end point) processes that make it more challenging to make adjustments along the way.

The main reason for adopting an agile approach in software development is to deliver throughout the process, not just at the end. To better understand, think about this from the end customer’s point of view. If you have an application or software that can solve a problem, make their life better, bring joy, whatever, they want to get their hands on it as soon as possible. And this is one of the key benefits of agile methodology. It allows everyone to prioritize values and behaviors such as trust, flexibility, empowerment, and collaboration, all with the end goal of creating customer satisfaction.

But we’d be remiss if we didn’t provide some guidance on a couple of definitions. Though the terms agile and scrum are often used interchangeably in the software development and engineering fields, they’re not the same. The fundamental difference between agile and scrum lies in their application. Agile is a project management philosophy that provides a structured approach to getting the job done. Conversely, scrum is a specific type of agile methodology that streamlines project development.

This all said, there are many benefits of using agile in custom software development.

1. It’s faster
2. It’s nimble, allowing for frequent changes
3. It identifies problems early on in the process
4. Flexible prioritization
5. It lets you see the benefits of your resources and labor sooner
6. You can better measure your teams’ accountability and progress on the project
7. No need to create and adjust detailed project plans
8. Customers are happier because they get to see and experience the results faster, even if future iterations and releases are ahead

More Advantages of Agile Development

As you can see, the agile model in software engineering provides a great mechanism to get products in customer’s hands faster. And while we already shared eight benefits of using agile in software development, we want to share a few more. After all, the agile project management methodology has so many useful things to offer it would be challenging to cover them all only in one list.

There are numerous advantages of agile development, including:

Focus on the Customer

First and foremost, agile development lets developers focus on the customer, the end user. So, think of it as a way to make software better. The approach takes stories (a story is an informal explanation of a feature written from the perspective of the end customer) from customers to decide what features to add. The developers then test the application every few weeks (called best testing) to ensure it is working well. The entire approach focuses on the customer, making sure they are happy and will continue using the software.

Stay in Tune with What’s Important for the Client

Here, we differentiate between the customer (the consumer or end user who will use the software) and the client (the company or organization that the software will be sold by). So, an advantage of agile development is that the engineering team can focus on the features that the client needs to please the customer and drive revenue for the business.

An Eye on Quality

The agile methodology emphasizes constant improvement throughout the software development process. While this is achieved through effective collaboration, careful planning, and attention to detail, it’s also about ensuring that the team can make quick changes to meet the demands of the customer or client. To do this, regular testing and reviews take place every few weeks (or more often if needed) to identify bugs and other issues. This helps ensure that a higher-quality version of the product is put in front of the customer upfront but also means that more quality improvements can be made as needed.

Transparency and Visibility

Consider that there are over 5.7 million apps on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store combined. And while it is unknown how many software programs are out there, it’s clear that there is a lot of competition facing customers when choosing the right apps or software to meet their needs. So yet another advantage of agile development is that customers and the client can both be involved throughout the process. This transparency helps to win trust and loyalty because customers know what to expect and can offer feedback along the way.

Deliver Early and Deliver Often

Customers (and the client) will likely be frustrated if they have to download or install and update every other day, so a good rule of thumb is to make one to two small but beneficial improvements per month. So when using the agile model in software engineering, development teams can deliver software that meets end users’ needs in a timely and predictable manner without rocking the boat.

This predicable approach ensures that the customer’s feedback from the most recent change can be incorporated into the development process, resulting in software that is more refined and better suited to their needs. And customers like to see that their voices are being heard. Frequent updates show them just that.

Know What to Expect for Costs and a Project Schedule

Clients deserve to know what to expect when it comes to understanding the costs and timeline associated with their software development project. With agile methodology’s fixed-schedule time and duration, the project’s cost is better controlled, as it is limited to the amount of work the team can perform during each sprint. This makes the client’s budgeting process easier, and they can then make better-informed decisions about the priority of features and the need for additional iterations.

Nimbleness Counts

When it comes to software development, you need the ability to make changes. So yet another advantage to the use of the agile approach is that teams can continuously improve and reprioritize the overall product backlog, making changes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of work. New or changed items of the backlog can be planned for the next iteration, and no one is overwhelmed.

Client Engagement

Your stakeholders are your clients, and they need the ability to work closely with the developers creating the software. With strong collaboration between the client and the whole project team, there are more opportunities for the team to fully understand the project vision and ensure that all stakeholders and team members remain motivated to achieve optimal project results.

Why Choose Intellectsoft for Custom Software Development Services

Intellectsoft offers a range of custom software development services to clients. We specialize in developing mobile applications, enterprise software solutions, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and augmented reality (AR) applications. Additionally, we offer consulting, design, and testing services to help our clients build high-quality software solutions.

Our client list ranges from small startups to large enterprises in various industries, including healthcare, finance, and retail. Most importantly, our expertise lies in providing end-to-end software development solutions tailored to our client’s needs that meet the needs and desires of their customer. And this is because we know how important things like a faster feedback cycle, flexible prioritization, accurate measurement, and speed to market are when it comes to software development.

Last But Not Least

If you’re looking to hire a reliable software development team as a trusted partner to help bring your custom software development project to life, you’ve come to the right place. Intellectsoft’s team of experts has the experience and knowledge necessary to help you create high-quality, customized software solutions that meet your unique business needs. With our comprehensive range of services, we can assist you with every aspect of your project, from design and development to testing and deployment. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your software development goals.

The post Benefits of Agile Methodology in Custom Software Development appeared first on Intellectsoft Blog.