7 steps for making the perfect software product
/If you've ever wondered how your favorite apps and software tools come to life, this post is for you. Software development is a multifaceted journey, and we're about to uncover the seven steps used by the most successful companies around the world.
1. Idea Generation
Every great software product starts with an idea. But how do you generate one? In this stage, we explore tried-and-proven methods of coming up with creative concepts and validating them. There are some tried and tested models that work in generating great ideas (or at least, run a brainstorming session that doesn’t go all over the place!). One such method is widely known as the SCAMPER technique. This is something worth exploring if you are serious about running good sessions of idea generation, here’s another link that could be useful if you want to dive in a little deeper: SCAMPER: How to use the best ideation methods. Another simpler but effective method is very popular in some startup circles (and we’ve used it a lot with our projects with startups) - it’s known as the 5 Whys. Started by Taiichi Ohno, the 5 Whys analysis was what Toyota used to find the real problem at the root. It’s less complicated than other methods, the 5 Whys is simply what it sounds like: keep asking “why?” until you find the real reason behind a problem (or in our case, find the real solution to a problem that a product can provide).
2. Idea filtering
Not every idea makes it to the finish line. Idea screening is where you cut off concepts that don't align with user needs, market trends, or company values. What you have to do is filter all the ideas that came out of the idea generation sessions. There are some tried and tested processes for this filtration, some well known methods are visual matrices (here’s a great example: innovation matrix), financial evaluation, and SWOT analysis to ensure your idea is not only viable but well-thought-out. Of these our favourite has always been SWOT, which is used in all sort of traditional and non-traditional businesses for market analysis and works equally well in checking out ideas from a purely business viability standpoint.
SWOT acronym stands for the word: strength, weakness, opportunities and threats. Those are the four key areas that you test out the ideas one by one. Here’s a quick summary of the steps, but for details check out the links above.
3. Concept Testing
Now, it's time to describe your product in a way that potential customers can understand and relate to. We explore essential aspects like pricing, usability, convenience, and quality. How much would users pay for your product? Is it easy to use? Does it meet expectations? These questions will shape your concept.
At this stage what you would want is feedback from others - ideally your potential customers. A great way to seek this feedback is by running surveys. Some innovative approaches can be used to get feedback such as running a competition, arranging events where potential users can talk about their experiences and problems, and using that as a platform to showcase your potential software and seek feedback.
Showing a concept product to potential users for feedback and conducting surveys can be a valuable step in the product development process. It helps you understand user preferences, gather insights, and make improvements before investing heavily in the final product. Here are some examples of how you can present a concept product to potential users and conduct surveys. Some great strategies for seeking feedback are:
Mockups and Wireframes:
Create low-fidelity mockups or wireframes of your concept product using tools like Sketch, Figma, or Balsamiq.
Share these visual representations with potential users, either in person or through online platforms.
Ask for feedback on the layout, user interface, and overall user experience.
Use open-ended questions in your survey to collect qualitative feedback on what they like and dislike about the design.
Interactive Prototypes:
- Develop interactive prototypes of your concept product using prototyping tools like InVision, Axure, or Adobe XD.
- Allow users to click through the prototype and perform basic actions to mimic the user experience.
- Collect feedback on the functionality, navigation, and ease of use.
- Use Likert-scale questions in your survey to measure user satisfaction with specific features or interactions.
Concept Videos:
Create a video presentation or animation that showcases the concept product's key features and benefits.
Share the video with potential users through social media, email, or in-person meetings.
Ask users to provide feedback on whether the product addresses their needs and pain points.
Use multiple-choice questions in your survey to gauge user interest and potential use cases.
Landing Page or Website:
Develop a simple landing page or website for your concept product.
Describe the product's value proposition and provide visuals or animations to illustrate how it works.
Encourage users to sign up for updates or leave comments.
Use user comments and sign-up data to assess interest and gather feedback.
Focus Groups and Workshops:
Organize focus group sessions or workshops with potential users where you can present the concept product in person.
Facilitate discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on interactions.
Record group discussions and take notes on participants' reactions and suggestions.
Follow up with a structured survey to gather additional insights and preferences.
Online Surveys:
Create an online survey using platforms like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or Typeform.
Share the survey link through email, social media, or your website.
Include both closed-ended questions (e.g., multiple-choice) and open-ended questions (e.g., comment boxes) to capture a wide range of feedback.
Ask users to rate the concept product's appeal, usability, and features.
4. Product Development
This is the actual stage of developing the product. Once the requirements are clear, the software's architecture and design are planned. This includes decisions about the technology stack, user interface design, and the overall structure of the software. Developers write the actual code for the software, following best practices and coding standards. This step involves translating the design into a functional program.
5. Testing and Execution
Quality assurance and testing are vital in ensuring your software functions flawlessly. Rigorous testing is conducted to ensure that the software functions correctly and meets its requirements. This includes unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing to catch and fix any defects or issues.
6. Post-Development
Once your product is developed and tested, it's time to prepare for launch. The software is prepared for release, which may involve setting up servers, databases, and configuring the environment for users. Deployment can be to a local network or a cloud-based infrastructure.
7. Maintenance and Support
Software development doesn't end with launch; it's an ongoing process. Software products require ongoing maintenance to fix bugs, apply updates, and ensure compatibility with evolving technologies. Customer support is also provided to assist users and address their concerns.
The journey of software product development is intricate and multifaceted, involving creativity, careful planning, and dedication. If you're considering bringing your software idea to life, following this seven-stage model can be your roadmap to success.
