Small Business Owners: Why Outsourcing Computer Services Matters

Need An App? Custom Software Just Takes A Request

There's a lot of ideas out there that need to be made, contrary to popular belief. Statements like "nothing is original" and "everything worth making has been made" are lacking imagination and specialization, as there are always specific needs that need to be filled--sometimes in order to fill even greater needs. If there's a software service out there that you need, but doesn't exist, don't just dismiss it as something you can't figure out. Here's some information about software design and how programmers can help you get what you need.

Make Something That Does "This"

Programs are just a series of instructions put together in an elaborate fashion. The complex part that separates a programmer from the average person who can search the internet for code is the ability to think in code and develop targeted solutions with code.

The ability to turn an idea into a programming language, then make that language actual work as intended is nothing short than knowing a foreign language. It's not always simple to do, and just like many hybrids of science and art, it can be hard to convey those actions to words. For that reason, if you have an idea, it's best to take it to a programmer to see what can be done.

Unless you already have programming skills, it's better to describe what you want, then allow a software design professional to try their hand at painting the masterpiece that is you idea. It can take a lot of trial and error to figure out exactly what you're talking about, especially since it's not just translating idea to programming, but translating one brain's attempt at putting something into words to another brain that might not get the whole idea.

The Planning Process

Start with the simple, big picture, then work your way down with the finer details. It may take time and certainly takes communication, but it can be done.

The beginning of any good program design session with a client is discussing what the program should do. The list of features that you want and agree upon with the programmer at planning is called the scope and acts as a guideline for what the program should do first.

To get your idea into testing and a usable prototype as soon as possible, it's important to stay in scope. It's understandable that once you get in a room with programmers asking all the right questions that you may be inspired to greater ideas, but know that the more you add to the project, the longer it may take and there may be mistakes as different features are packed together.

Your best bet would be to go with an initial idea after the planning session, then allow programmers to come up with something they can demonstrate with you. Unless it's a completely different idea of how the program should operate, leave all extra features, bells and whistles aside until a core program can be showcased. Extra features can be added later once you and the programmers can discuss their design direction.

Contact a software service professional like Advanced Business Systems to discuss program design ideas that need to go from your mind to the computer in a way that helps you.


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