
Want to stand out from your competitors and reach new heights with your business? In that case, a custom mobile app is exactly what you need. But what do you need to bear in mind when building an app? And how long does the entire design and development process take? This article will answer all these pressing questions. Let’s dive in!
What is the average development time?
You have probably already tried to find the answer to this question. The results may be disappointing as there is no single correct answer. Here’s why.
Many factors determine how many months your digital project gets ready for release. The most important factors are your budget, the complexity and the size of the application, and the number of developers and designers involved in your project. However, we can assume that most software houses will suggest that this process will take between 3 and 9 months.
The most common risks of delay in app development
Even if you set a deadline with the software house when the application should be ready, the development team may face various challenges that will cause serious delays. These can be, for example:
- The unexpected change in specifications
- Insufficient time to complete all the components
- Work overload
- communication difficulties with stakeholders
- lack of competence of some development team members
As you can see, It is extremely challenging to estimate the exact amount of time it takes to complete the entire development process, as many things can go wrong.
What are the key stages of the app development process?
Before you decide to cooperate with a given software house, it is worth finding out their development process. After all, it does not always look the same! But let’s go into more detail. Typically, the development process should include the following stages:
Project estimation
At this stage, you discuss all the details of your digital project. You will most likely have a series of meetings with the sales team. Together you will establish the main goal of the project and collect all key business information. Importantly, already at this point, you will be able to define your MVP (Minimum Viable Product), i.e. the most important features your application should have.
In-depth analysis & research
Many software houses organize kick-off meetings at the beginning of cooperation. Their main purpose is to gain a better understanding of the project and establish your product strategy. It’s a great time to identify market needs, your business goals, and expectations.
The development phase
This is where the real magic happens. Once the development and design teams have learned more about your digital project, they can get down to work. Together with the project manager, the teams set all the details and deadlines to deliver all the essential features right on time.
QA
Before the project is delivered, Quality Assurance (QA) tests must be carried out. Their purpose is to verify that all components are working correctly and that there are no bugs to be fixed.
App development timeline: final thoughts
If you want to achieve massive success, you need a mobile app to support your boldest business ideas. The best way is to start working with an experienced software house that offers custom app development services. This way, you’ll be sure that the application is tailored to your needs.