The client’s role and responsibility in software development

Building a software product is not easy, neither difficult nor complex. I like to compare the cycle of a software product with the dynamic of a hive - everyone knows what to do, and everyone has a specific role to play. There are risks and unknowns, and you need to carefully plan, coordinate, and execute. But despite the expectations, the client plays the most important role.?

The customer knows his product best, the business justification behind its conception, market environment, needs, and functionalities to be implemented. The success of a software product is our ability as a team to involve the client in every stage of building the product.?

Let’s see your responsibilities, as a client in product development translate into working applications.

The software development process starts in the first contact. This is when you need to put your vision on the table, what you want to achieve by creating the product. You can also discuss the project's scope, deadline, budget, compliance, and legal boundaries. Asking many questions is highly recommended, and you better bring in your Product Owner to this conversation.?

Who’s the product owner? The one who calms the water and finds a structure for the information. His/her role is to ask many questions and help the team with all the goals.?

Identifying the risks with your software development team will help you predict possible bottlenecks and roadblocks - both technological and organizational.?

This is the perfect time to establish ground rules for your partnership. The product owner leads this process and involves business analysts and developers.?

Why it's essential to be involved in the software development process? Because the more you are part of the journey, the more the sailing is enjoyable. It's the developers' job to make the software and your responsibility to move as an overseer.?

Also, addressing the root causes (not the symptoms) is what makes you a good team player thorough the software development cycle. While discussing the latest progress, we expect feedback - do we stick to our initial plan or change something down the road?

Throughout the entire development cycle, the whole point of your involvement is to… be yourself.?

You know your business best.?

We handle the software development.?