The joy of it software development

The joy of IT software development

by Beata GreenHeadChannel

2013

1. The joy of IT software development

What is it like to work in IT software development and what are the elements that one has to bring together to make it successful?

Recently I read an article that stated:

Generally, IT has a reputation as a bottomless cost sink run by people who can't explain what they are doing (especially why they cost so much), can't deliver what they promise, seem to feel contempt for their customers, and appear to have no understanding of business concerns.


I suspect that you may, on occasion, agree with this statement. Sometimes you feel that you're paying too much or things aren't done as quickly as you'd like and you don't always understand the explanations.



These points are fully based on my own professional experience and address the issues that we continue to overcome on a daily

basis.

We gained this experience while designing, building content management systems, mobile apps and varied other bespoke software. Hopefully, this will also shed some light on why things are sometimes not as straightforward as you might think.


To achieve good results in the field of software development requires:


1. A lot of specialist knowledge - starting with a full understanding of the requirements for the project, how do they translate into a user-friendly, expandable and supportable system; what to quote for the project, which technology to use, what are the limitations of this technology, etc, etc.


2. A lot of discipline in terms of maintaining processes to ensure that the programming code is written in a way that conforms to recognised standards, that documentation is created, that there is a full knowledge of the project within the team, and that there is a support structure in place. Of all of this, the client is usually blissfully unaware, but it has to be done nonetheless.


3. Understanding how the aesthetic element of design works with technology. Sometimes, what looks best, takes 5 times more time to do than its next best alternative. Without this knowledge, expensive mistakes can be made (and yes, we have made some of them).


4. Passion for learning in general and specifically for learning new technologies. In IT software development, you can never know it all. There is always a lot to learn as technologies move forward at an accelerating pace. Gaining knowledge at speed is expensive. And to some extent you always learn by your own mistakes.


5.

Passion for helping businesses to achieve success through use of their IT systems. And understanding

how this can be done.


6. Thinking long term, not short term. Some IT software companies might

cut costs by cutting corners and may deliver quicker results. The

result of this is likely to be that any future development will be more

difficult and more expensive.


7. Creating a support

infrastructure that is resilient with an automated process

to advise when there are major application problems.



8. Maintaining various different

versions - development, test, live - of each system that is developed

and keeping track off the status of each version.


9. That the team works

together to achieve the best results. This knowledge sharing takes time too.

10. Management of people who are mostly very bright and talented and want to achieve. You have to keep them on their toes and make sure that they learn and progress all the time. Otherwise they will get bored, leave and take with them all the knowledge they have gained.


11. Good communication - not only to the clients,

but between the team.


12. Attention to detail - often small mistakes can cause the greatest havoc... and they are bound to happen from time to time, as we are only human. Unfortunately, those are the ones that the clients will remember.


13. Enjoying the work - it can be a thankless job sometimes, so you have to love what you do.


Thank you!

Beata Green


Beata, HeadChannel Ltd Managing Director

Beata is an experienced IT relationship manager with 10 years' experience working with a strong portfolio of organisations, including the Home Office, West LB Bank, Financial Times newspaper and FT.com.

She joined HeadChannel 6 years ago and since then has been working with clients to identify opportunities for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their businesses through technology. She loves to bring together new web development ideas, the clients and her team to achieve results that benefit everyone.


The joy of it software development

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