Phases of Software Development Lifecycle for Startups

Key Takeaway

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• Startups must adopt flexible business strategies and pivot based on market changes and user feedback. A data-driven approach ensures informed decisions throughout the software development lifecycle.
• The process includes key phases: Ideation, Business Validation, Design, Development, Testing, Deployment, Product Launch, and Post-launch Monitoring. Each phase is essential for creating a scalable and user-focused product.
• Collect actionable insights from users during development and after launch. Incorporate testing at every stage of the SDLC to address bugs early and ensure a flawless user experience.
• Select monetization strategies like subscriptions, in-app purchases, or advertising that align with your business goals. Continuously monitor and update your product post-launch to keep it competitive and user-friendly.

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App Development requires carefully planned steps in the software development process. A clear strategy, timely adjustments, and data-driven insights help startups improve their chances of growth and success. Moreover, software providers often enjoy collaborating with startups due to their strong focus on product development.

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This article discusses the unique aspects of software development for new businesses and explores the different phases and methods of creating products that startups need to understand and implement.

Peculiarities of Software Development Process for Startups

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The software development process for startups is distinct because smaller companies lack the market power and financial resources that larger, established businesses possess.

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Flexibility to Changes

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As a new business entering an established market, flexibility is the only way to survive. Every startup needs a business strategy that adapts to the market rather than sticking to a rigid plan.

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Ability to Pivot

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Flexibility allows you to make small changes to your business plan and gives you the freedom to shift your startup's direction. A well-structured software development process for startups enables owners to pivot without facing significant losses or complete failure.

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Attention to User Feedback

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Unlike medium and large companies with extensive experience, startups must focus more on customer feedback when planning product development. With a smaller group of consumers than larger businesses, startups can collect specific, actionable insights directly from their users.

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Attention to Data

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Like other areas of your business, every step in software development for a startup should be based on data. While companies of all sizes use information from various sources, startups must create datasets for each product they develop.

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This approach helps them avoid the issue of data silos, which is often seen in larger companies.

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Must Read: How to Achieve Application Security with SDLC?

Phases of a Startup Software Development Process

Developing a new product requires a structured approach to ensure a flawless product life cycle from start to finish. You can adjust, combine, or add steps to reach your objectives or meet the launch deadline.

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Ideation

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The process of software development begins when you come up with an idea. Ideas for start-ups with multiple team members usually involve brainstorming sessions where everyone shares their thoughts. Consider all opinions during these meetings and record each idea in an "idea bank" for later use.

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Market research gives valuable insights that help you understand the industry landscape and your competitors. Analyze your competitors' strengths and weaknesses through a SWOT analysis to determine the most effective strategy for your startup based on this information.

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Business Validation

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Once you have a concept in mind, the next important step is to validate it with partners, investors, and stakeholders. You should present a clear product concept that details the business plan, competitors, and how you plan to make money.

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Note: Some startup companies create their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) during the design phase after confirming their business plan. An MVP is necessary if you are looking for financial support from government bodies or angel investors, as it helps demonstrate the practicality of your idea.

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Design

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The design team should create a clear picture of the software to guide developers and engineers in understanding the final product. The design phase aims to produce a practical and feasible product by combining the established concepts with the business strategy.

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Additionally, this stage allows startups to develop the Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

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Your UX/UI team can design wireframes and prototypes to showcase how the application's user interface behaves during interactions. Following this, the engineers will assess the practicality of the features displayed in the prototype before commencing the product development process.

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Development

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Before starting, the development team must agree on the technology they will use. For example, if you create a mobile cross-platform app, your developers must choose between Flutter and React Native. The tech lead or project manager at a startup will typically make this decision based on the team's skills and the cost of production.

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After the team members make a decision, they can begin developing the product by either enhancing the MVP's existing features or starting from scratch.

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Testing

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Some startups choose separate testing from the software development process, believing it to be a distinct component. However, this practice can make the job of quality assurance (QA) engineers more challenging and slow the app creation process. Integrate testing throughout the SDLC to identify and address bugs and issues early on.

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Implementation

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Once testing is complete, the next step is to make the necessary changes. For example, if a code review reveals errors in exception handling logic, developers should prioritize fixing these issues before introducing new features.

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Deployment

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Review the product before proceeding with deployment after making the required changes based on the test reports. Your DevOps team is crucial in planning the deployment strategy on a cloud-based platform or an on-premise architecture.

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Product Launch

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Product launch is an important step in any software development project, as it introduces the completed solution to your target audience. It is essential to showcase your startup’s development work effectively.

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To begin, use the product's beta version to gauge how consumers respond. You should also implement data collection and management systems to gather and analyze these user insights. Based on the information you collect, make necessary adjustments to address consumer feedback in the final version of the product.

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Monetization

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Before you launch your product, your marketing team must outline a clear monetization strategy for the app. Startups have several options for monetization, including:

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• Subscriptions (which can be freemium or tiered)
• In-app purchases
• Advertising
• Direct sales
• Sponsored partnerships

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Choose a monetization model that matches your startup’s marketing strategy and maximizes profits. No matter which model you implement, always prioritize positive experiences for your users.

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One way to earn revenue from a free app is to include advertisements within it. You can also offer a premium app that doesn’t have ads for users who subscribe. Another approach is to sell your software after a free trial period. This helps test the app before they decide to purchase or subscribe.

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Post-launch

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Once a startup's app is released, it’s time to continuously monitor performance and gather user feedback for its improvement and overall market acceptance.

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Meanwhile, your team can simultaneously work on app updation (e.g., adding features, fixing bugs, or improving security) while ensuring that the latest release undergoes thorough testing to identify any bugs that may need to be fixed.

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You may enjoy: Top 10 Best Practices for Secure SDLC.

Conclusion

Software development processes can be complex, but following key steps can position your startup for long-term success. It's important to adopt a startup-specific approach that remains flexible and adapts to market changes. While many companies are moving toward agile methodologies, choosing a software development life cycle (SDLC) model that fits your startup's needs is essential.

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ioSENTRIX provides software development services from skilled professionals who have experience in enterprise-level development and processes. With our knowledge, we have helped startups build a strong foundation for their software development processes as they progress.

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To learn more about the service, Contact us today!

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