For those of us working in the software development industry, it is always crucial to explore the aspects that ensure the success of a software development project. And the opposite question might come to your mind: why do software projects often fail? Perhaps the latter question might be more important than the first one. According to a study published by IDC, 25% of software projects fail from conception. On the other hand, 20 to 25% do not generate ROI (return on investment), and up to 50% require redoing and rescheduling things. Overall, the number goes to a 55% failure rate for software projects. So, what aspects can we consider to avoid failure, or what are the 5 main principles of successful software development? Let's find out.

1.   Early involvement of all stakeholders

Early involvement of all stakeholders during the planning stage is crucial for a successful project. The full cycle engineering team must conduct fieldwork to get a clear and precise idea of the requirements. This can also be done through online sessions with the end users if the software is meant for an office, or through surveys and questionnaires for projects intended for the general public.

This way, both the clients and developers will have a clear and concise idea of what is expected from the software being developed. These requirements should establish the pathway for the entire life cycle of the software. It is critical to get these requirements right in the beginning. The whole project might go south if the requirements are changed or tweaked later, as additional requirements will add up to the final cost.

2.   The importance of a feasibility study

The feasibility study is another one of the most crucial principles for a successful software project. Again, the developer and the client must sit together and figure out what things are required and how much they will cost. Both parties should consider everything from the required equipment to the coding hours, and then come up with the most feasible amount. Besides, it should also be made sure that the project in consideration is actually feasible for the environment where it is going to be deployed. For example, an all-English ATM might not be as feasible in China as it will be in the USA. If such a project is developed, it will be doomed to fail. Therefore, a comprehensive feasibility study is crucial for a successful software project.

3.   Pick the right team for the task

Only the right team can deliver the right product. It is a fact that is often neglected and causes long-term difficulties. A miss selection can result in slow progress, increasing the project cost. Therefore, it is crucial to pick the right team for the job. Take an example of a game of soccer. If you play with all sticker teams, and you don't have any defenders, you will lose, no matter how good your stickers are. The same goes for the software development team, as you need to pick the right combination of individuals for specific tasks.

4.   Communication is a key to success

Communication with the project team and the client's team is a crucial factor. Any updates, delays, changes, or progress reports must be communicated with all the stakeholders through written channels so both parties can manage a proof of communication to avoid later disputes.

5.   Testing makes the software perfect

Testing is one of the most critical aspects of software development, as it ensures that the software is doing what it is supposed to do. It is often an issue for individual developers or small teams as they try to test the product themselves, which is a mistake. There should always be one or two quality assurance engineers in the team to ensure the testing and quality of the software.

6.   User training is crucial

End-user training is another essential aspect that is often overlooked by development teams. Yes, we live in a digital age, and everyone has a basic knowledge of computers. But it does not mean that users will figure out the software themselves. User training is vital to ensure the success of the software project in the long term, especially if you are developing something meant for a specific job where users are required to perform certain steps to get the required results.