A recent study conducted by PMI has indicated that almost 14% of most software development projects fail. It means that while the software development industry continues to grow substantially, there are still some software development projects or venture cannot manage to pan outrightly.
How would you ensure that your software development doesn’t fail?
In this article, we are going to talk about 4 key reasons why software development projects fail and solutions to that.
1. Vague project requirements:
When it comes to executing a successful project, the first and the key step is having well-defined project specifications. To please a potential client and close the deal fast, many companies overlook details that could derail a project down the line. For example, your client may need a developer who is an expert in JavaScript and .Net and your understanding is that your client needs a developer who is an expert in JavaScript or .Net. Can you understand the difference here?
Solution:
Every client is unique and so are their projects. When it comes to ensuring that you are on the right track, you should ask many questions to your client. No matter how silly or obvious the question is, still it’s better to be sure thanit be wrong.
Once you are sure that you know all the requirements of your client, it is always better to document everything.
2. Poor or Non-Transparent Communication:
Lack of communication is another key reason why a lot of software development projects fail. You have understood your client’s requirements but your developers may not have comprehended them properly. Sometimes, employees feel shy to ask questions.
Transparent and clear communication is crucial for a project’s success. It might cause a little chaos at the beginning but eventually, it will lead to a well-executed and successful project.
Solution:
The solution is simple- encourage better and transparent communication in your organization. Promote a culture of honesty and support employees to speak up over hesitation.
Set up regular meetings with your developers as it helps you ensure that your team is on the right track.
Communication problem is not only an internal roadblock. It could be on your client’s side as well and that’s why it is always a good idea to keep your client well informed all the time. Keep your client always updated about the project progress- show the reports, numbers, data, anything that is relevant.
3. Poor Planning Quality:
Many software development projects fail due to a lack of time, resources and budget. Poor planning is the main reason behind it.
Many software development organizations do not pay much attention to the real logistics of a project. It can cause unrealistic expectations that lead to stress and project failure. Developers often feel demotivated and directionless without proper guidelines and plans.
Solution:
It’s always a wise decision to involve upper management from the beginning of a project. If there’s a change in the project requirements or expectations were overly optimistic from the beginning, someone from the higher management has to stand up, take the charge and adjust the plan to execute the project well.
Often clients have unrealistic expectations about the project delivery and resource cost. Just because you don’t want to offend a client, you might assume it’s possible and you may end up with delayed project delivery, overshooting budget and an unsatisfied client.
The best way to handle such a scenario is to be upfront. Always speak to your client with real facts and numbers and be as much transparent as possible. If you think the deadline is too tight or unrealistic, let your client know about it and request them to extend it for successful project completion.
4. Poor Quality of Software Developers:
After executing all the three points mentioned above, if your project fails, then it indicates that your developers are not competent enough. Many organizations experience such project failure due to not assigning enough engineers to the project, procrastinating with testing, etc.
Solution: if your organization doesn’t have a sufficient number of engineers in your software development team, it is always a better idea to outsource your project to a cutting-edge and budget-friendly custom web and app development solution like TechRev as it enables you to save 50% on your software development project and cost. If you want to know more about custom application development services, click here.
