Software application development
A systematic approach to building and deploying enterprise software applications to improve business outcomes
What is software application development?
Software application development describes the series of steps required to create, design, test, and deploy a software application from start to finish. Enterprise software application development commonly requires multiple stakeholders and teams to work together to plan, build, implement, and maintain a software application.
The software application development lifecycle
Software application development is often broken down into stages or phases that teams follow to create applications in a systematic and efficient way. This is called the software application development lifecycle (SDLC). These stages or phases of an SDLC typically include:
- Requirements planning and analysis
- Feasibility study
- Design
- Development
- Testing
- Deployment
- Maintenance
Development methodologies
It’s common for organizations to use a specific project management approach for software application development projects. Typically referred to as methodologies, the two most common software application development methodologies are Agile and Waterfall.
- Agile: An iterative project management approach that allows for simultaneous work on multiple phases of the SDLC
- Waterfall: A project management approach in which each distinct phase in the SDLC is completed in sequence before beginning the next phase.
Why is software application development important?
Business moves faster than it ever has in the digital world. A well-developed software application can help organizations work more efficiently and deliver higher-quality outcomes more quickly.
By understanding the software application development process and the SDLC, business leaders can plan the most cost-effective strategy to developing, implementing, and maintaining the high-quality software applications crucial to their business.
Rethink software application development
Learn how low-code development helps you do more with what you have
Traditional vs. low-code software application development
- Traditional software development: Professional developers use a programming language, such as Java, Python, C, and others, to write the code that runs the software application.
- Low-code development: A model-based approach that reduces the need to write code by using visual modeling tools and drag-and-drop components in a user-friendly, graphical environment.
Platforms designed for low-code application development can offer a number of advantages over traditional software development, including:
- More flexible, inclusive workforce: Because of their visual modeling capabilities, low-code platforms make it possible for staff with no coding experience to participate in the software application development process. This gives enterprise leaders greater flexibility of software development resources.
- Better collaboration with IT: Low-code platforms bring visibility to all stakeholders and participants in the development process, enabling better collaboration between team members and enterprise IT leaders.
- More relevant and compliant applications: Increased collaboration benefits enterprises with applications that more accurately reflect business needs and are more compliant with internal requirements.
- Faster development and deployment cycles: With more teams collaborating on application development in a low-code environment, it’s possible to create and deploy business applications in a matter of weeks.
- Reduced maintenance burden: Low-code platforms operationalize reuse of application components, making it quicker for teams to collaborate and deploy application updates.
- Increased agility: Low-code platforms increase collaboration and enable faster development and deployment times – empowering organizations to adapt and innovate more quickly in response to market changes.
Frequently Asked Questions about software application development
Client case studies
See how organizations are using low code to solve challenges and build value fast.
Discover how Google used low code to quickly build a better ticketing system
Learn how NAB uses low-code application development to drive faster time to value
See how the U.S. Census Bureau used a low-code platform to simplify data collection