Understanding the Mobile App Development Process

At the beginning of the 20th century, companies invested capital into buildings and machinery. Now, companies invest their capital in the latest and greatest software. This includes mobile apps, yet many companies don’t understand the process it takes to build a high-quality mobile app. “You get what you pay for” has been solid advice and in the mobile app business these words have never ringed truer. Let’s take a deeper look and see where your money goes when developing a mobile app.

Step #1: Concept

The first step in the process is coming up with a solid idea for an app. Thoroughly think out what you want the app to do, the users you are targeting, and which operating system you want the app to run on. Research and see if an app already exists in the market. Just because there may be something similar doesn’t mean your app won’t work.

It is not about who did it first; the most important part is execution.

Rushing your research or any of the steps along the way can be costly and time-consuming. Once you have all the aspects for the app planned out, the next part is to determine who will be part of your development team.

Step #2: Team

The next step is determining your team so your dreams can become an app. Most teams consist of a developer, project manager, designer, and QA. If you want to launch on multiple operating systems and save cost you may look into cross-platform options. At Seamgen, our preferred option is Xamarin, which allows you to reuse code across platforms and saves time and money. Once you have gathered your team, it is time to sketch out the plans and timetable of how long it will take to complete the project.

Getting started on any part other than planning out exactly how the app should look and function is a waste of time and money. You and your team should carefully plan out every aspect of visual design, key functionality, and wireframes. A common mistake is wanting to rush through and start a part before everything has been thought of and revisions have been made to this plans. This is also the time when you can figure out the timetable and if more developers need to be added to your team. During this step, the price is set, and contracts are signed, and although things may change slightly along the way, it should remain as close to the contract guidelines as possible.

Step #3: Design

The design process is the first after all the planning is set. Even during this process, some revisions are made, and therefore, coding should not be started until all the design work is completed. Consistent checking and testing should be done during the design to ensure the users you are targeting will have a good experience and that the client is happy with the design choices.

Step #4: Development

Once a design is completed, the development phase begins. Coding is all based off of the design, and this is the part that takes the most amount of time to complete. Designating an experienced developer can be more expensive than selecting a less experienced developer, but what you spend upfront is worth the money. An experienced developer can come up with better software architecture, which translates to a more robust, scalable and easily maintainable application. One more difference with an experienced developer is optimization and performance given to the application, which usually translates into a more readable and optimal code compared to a novice developer. Finally, an experienced developer is one who can work in a timely fashion to complete the project and with as few bugs as possible.

Step #5: QA

After the coding is complete, the app should go through quality assurance. Software quality assurance and testing aren't just about guarding against crashes. You check for ease of use, proper workflow support, compliance with external industry requirements, end-user acceptance, and integration with external systems, along with several other goals. Once everything has passed QA, your mobile app is ready for market.

As you can see, the process from concept to market for a mobile app is one of many steps. Cutting corners or steps along the way may seem like a good idea to save time and money. In the long run, not planning correctly, coding before all the design revisions are made, and not going through QA, can cost you more money and less ROI.

Seamgen has been a leader in mobile app development, and we are here to help turn your dreams into mobile apps. Contact Seamgen for more info on mobile app development or any questions you may have!