5 Common Software Development Challenges & How to Overcome Them
In a field that’s always evolving, software development challenges are bound to happen. No project is immune—even those that are carefully planned and handled by world-class developers. Of course, some projects run smoothly from start to finish, but those tend to be the exception, not the rule.
Taking the time to understand common software development problems and solutions empowers you and your team to mitigate risk and stay on track, even when unforeseen hurdles arise.
Fortunately, if you work with agile, experienced developers, the challenges can be dealt with quickly and efficiently. That said, it never hurts to have some contingency plans in place, especially if you’re handling your project in-house.
Here’s a look at five common software development challenges and ideas to overcome them.
1. Scaling
Software projects need to grow with your business. If you don’t prioritize scalable software right from the beginning, there’s a high probability that you’ll run into issues down the line—often sooner than you realize—especially if your project is based on big data.
That’s why it’s key to invest in software that has the potential to handle larger user and data streams in the future. While paying more upfront for features that aren’t being used immediately may seem like a waste of money, that’s simply not the case. In the long run, there’s a high chance that you’ll end up paying more for the project if you end up needing to make drastic changes (or even create new software) when your system starts failing.
Our team is no stranger to software development problems and solutions! Our pricing is extremely competitive because we frequently use low-code platforms—in other words, we don’t write code from scratch unless it’s necessary (or preferred). At the same time, we carefully consider potential software development challenges based on scaling while developing, ensuring that your system will meet your organization’s demands both now and in the future.
2. User Experience
Your software’s interface can make or break a project—not just now, but at any point in the future too. Today’s trends can be tomorrow’s failures, so it’s critical to embrace design guidelines that provide users with an attractive, intuitive interface that will age well and can adjust quickly without causing any hiccups.
User preferences are constantly shifting. For example, as more and more people use smartphones to shop online, it’s crucial that businesses focus on mobile software development challenges. Just because your platform delivers a flawless experience on a desktop computer doesn’t mean it will translate well on a handheld device.
The best solution is to create timeless software that’s able to be tweaked on the fly without causing major interruptions. Software development problems and solutions can vary widely when it comes to UX/UI, but there are some universal steps you can take in the early stages of the project to ensure that your system can update with the latest trends and innovations.
As mentioned previously, we use low-code platforms like Knack because having a database of viable tools on-hand allows us to handle design-related software development challenges quickly, easily, and at a fantastic rate. Additionally, we form lasting partnerships with our clients, providing them with ongoing updates and maintenance as needed to keep the software running and looking optimally.
3. Cybersecurity
Cyber threats are constantly becoming more and more sophisticated, which is why having a stalwart cybersecurity system in place is more critical now than ever before. Just one system breach can have devastating repercussions, so it’s crucial that you take preemptive steps to prevent them now so you’re not caught scrambling if a worst-case scenario should occur.
These days, the best way to protect your systems and avoid software development challenges related to cybersecurity is to use AI and machine learning to detect and fix problems in real time. When considering these types of software development problems and solutions, it’s important to remember that cybercriminals are often using cutting-edge tech to infiltrate systems, so it’s vital to use the latest security measures to thwart them.
The great thing about machine learning is that your security system improves itself over time, ensuring that your precious data is protected from existing threats as well as those that may occur in the future. In general, one of the major software development challenges is implementing security features that will remain relevant as threats morph and evolve. Artificial intelligence detects and responds to known threats, but it also ‘learns’ to recognize potential threats based on past data and algorithms.
4. Budget
Software is a major investment. While the ROI usually justifies the expense, paying a substantial sum can feel daunting, especially for smaller organizations with limited funds available. All too often, a company will begin a software development project only for it to never come to fruition because of unforeseen expenses.
When considering software development problems and solutions, remember that your budget is a major factor. At the same time, many of the most common software development challenges are caused by hiring the cheapest developers—you get what you pay for!
For any project, make sure you’re on the same page with your developer about not only the big ideas but also fine details—including cost. This means not only immediate expenses but also potential costs that could arise later.
We’re proud to offer 80% lower development costs than the competition while still delivering world-class, award-winning development services. These savings come because we maximize our time and use tools that allow us to work 10x faster than other agencies. That brings us to another common challenge:
5. Deadlines
As you consider software development problems and solutions, don’t overlook turnaround times, especially if the implementation of your software is urgent. While some delays may be unavoidable, the vast majority of deadline-related software development challenges are caused by poor planning. Setting realistic timelines is an absolute must for developers, as is having realistic expectations for those commissioning the project.
So, how does one overcome missed deadlines? There are always going to be risks involved, but you can drastically reduce them by hiring developers with a proven track record for meeting deadlines.
Soluntech is an award-winning agency, not just because of the quality of our work, but because of our professionalism. Our goal is never to finish a project and disappear. We strive to form long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with our clients, and we do that by meeting time-related software development challenges head-on. As long as your expectations are reasonable, you can count on us to come through.
Let’s Talk
Soluntech is a full-stack, end-to-end software development agency, meaning we can handle every phase of your project. If you don’t want to worry about software development problems and solutions, let us handle everything. We boast an impressive 91% project success rate, and, on average, our clients see a 21x ROI in just two years. There’s a reason why we have 5 stars on Clutch and 4.9 stars on Glassdoor—we know what it takes to keep clients happy and exceed their expectations.
Before we start discussing any development, we want to be sure that we’re the right team for your project. We don’t accept all clients, because we know your time is valuable, and ours is too. We invite you to schedule a free pre-consultation meeting so we can discuss your organization’s needs and goals and determine if we’re a good fit.
We hope this information has been insightful. We’ve only scratched the surface here—countless potential obstacles can occur, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions related to your upcoming project. As an agency that has partnered with clients from all over the world and virtually every industry, we have the first-hand experience and know-how required to handle software development challenges in their many forms. Chat with us online now to start your project.