Stages of a Software Development Project
Initial Meeting - Production of an Outline Specification
Development of a Functional Specification
System Development
Beta-Testing and User Training
Application Support and Development
Stages of a Software Development Project
When undertaking a Software Development project, the following steps are normally undertaken to ensure a smooth implementation of the project while meeting the requirements of the client and ensuring that budgets are not overrun.
Step 1 – Initial Meeting – Production of an Outline Specification
Initial discussions with the customer enable us to obtain sufficient detail for an Outline Specification to be produced, detailing at the highest level the major data storage, processing and reporting requirements of the proposed Application.
Deliverables: an Outline Specification is supplied to the customer with a quotation for the development of a Functional Specification and an estimate of the development cost for the Application.
Cost: there is no cost for the production of an Outline Specification. This document does however remain the property of Independent Computer Services.
Step 2 – Development of a Functional Specification
Upon the customer's acceptance of the quotation for the production of a Functional Specification, this is produced. A Functional Specification includes details of all data requirements including screenshots produced from prototype of the Application as it will look when developed. Detailed descriptions of the functions of all parts of the Application are included within the Functional Specification together with all data definitions.
Deliverables: a Functional Specification is supplied to the customer with a fixed price quotation of the cost and timescale for the development of the Application itself. This quotation is based upon the Application as defined within the Functional Specification.
Cost: the cost of the development of the Functional Specification as detailed within the Outline Specification. This document becomes the property of the Customer.
Step 3 – System Development
Upon the customer's acceptance of the quotation for the development of the Application as detailed in the Functional Specification, the system is developed.
For large-scale projects, regular site meetings are held to discuss and demonstrate the progress of the development with The Client.
Deliverables: at the end of the development stage, the Application will be ready for beta testing on site.
Cost: as defined in the Functional Specification.
Step 4 – Beta-Testing and User Training
Following the completion of the development stage, the Application will be installed ready for beta testing on The Client's site. Sufficient resource must be provided by the customer for this to be done. Any discrepancies found between the Functional Specification and the developed system will be corrected at this stage.
Having installed the software, the customer has 30 days to report any faults where there is a discrepancy between the operation of the Application and the Functional Specification. During this period the faults will be rectified without charge.
User training is provided immediately following the installation to enable the customer to test all aspects of the Application.
Step 5 – Application Support and Development
Having installed the Application, on-going support is provided to the customer for the Application. This is usually done remotely avoiding the need for site visits although customers preferring to be supported by site visits can be accommodated.
For Clients not located within close range geographically, on-line support is provided via modem and communications software such as PC-Anywhere.
If further enhancements are required to the Application, these are developed either by repeating the steps outlined above for large-scale changes or using Change Request Forms detailing the changes required by the customer with detailed costs associated with each item for smaller amendments.