Mobile application development is becoming a next generation business for most of the Indian software development organizations – particularly for small and medium size companies. In my unofficial reviews of these projects, through my known contacts, I find some ways to improve the work – here I would like to suggest them.
1. Mobile application development is not like PC software development. The major criteria here are device compatibility. I suggest get confirmations for required mobile models. Clients usually suggest “every single mobile in this world” – this is practically not possible. There are many compatibility limitations in available mobile devices – So plan for target devices and list them for new build releases – this saves time. Always release a list of mobile devices compatible with your application.
2. Change Management – I would suggest having a confirmation for prototype before get into real application development. This prototype can be a graphic model but with detail screens for every function and data flow. But getting new changes are unavoidable – yes, but you can update your client with impact analysis report – if you are in the middle of the development and you feel the given change will take some time to implement. Give detail reasons, talk to client clearly. Everyone is new to this industry – so it’s better to share details. This avoids unnecessary frustrations
3. Publish your project plan – it should show the milestones clearly. Give the visibility of your work to your stakeholders. This also enables you to get clarified with list of tasks you have to manage for the quality and best results.
4. Model a framework for UI and common Interface architecture. This reduces time in development, and helps to build and application logic with definite data flow. Build a content library for icons, images, color palates and templates. Saving time saves budget and resource usage.
5. Apply EVM (Earned Value management) techniques to track the progress of the project against the baseline plan.
6. The important point here is communication. Create a communication plan – and it should have not just conference call schedules, but also status reports, weekly project plan updates, daily improvements, new ideas, impact analysis – basically construct a friendly relationship with client. He/she should have complete understanding about what you are doing and what you are going to deliver and what all its limitations.
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