In this week’s article, we will be talking about step 1 - Identifying the business needs.
In this week’s article, we will be talking about step 1 - Identifying the business needs.
In previous episode, we talked about how to use custom software development with maximum ROI for your business.
In this week’s article, we will be talking about step 1 - Identifying the business needs.
Let's jump right into the process of identifying the possible custom software for the business:
To start the process, assess current business processes to identify areas where custom software could improve operations. It is recommended to use a process mapping tool, such as Lucidchart or Visio, to document the processes but something like WordPad will also do the work.
Once the potential areas for improvement have been identified, gather input from stakeholders including employees, managers, and customers. It is recommended to use survey tools, such as SurveyMonkey or Typeform, to gather and analyze stakeholder feedback.
After collecting stakeholder input, identify areas where current processes are inefficient and could be improved through the use of custom software. It is recommended to use process analysis tools, such as Process Street or Bizagi to identify and document inefficiencies.
Clearly define the goals and objectives of the custom software development project, such as reducing costs, increasing efficiency, or improving customer satisfaction.
Before embarking on custom software development, evaluate existing solutions to see if they can meet your needs. It is recommended to use comparison tools, such as Capterra, G2, or Software Suggest to compare and evaluate existing solutions.
After evaluating existing solutions, prioritize the custom software development needs of the business to ensure that the most important needs are addressed first. It is recommended to use prioritization tools, such as kanban boards in Jira or Trello, to prioritize and track progress. See also, MoSCoW Prioritization
After performing the above steps, one of the business has identified the inefficiencies in the process of email signature generation.
It was generated by copy-pasting the signatures from the existing employees and was not consistent across the organization. There wasn't a defined process or way of changing email signature across the organization as well.
The existing email signature solutions provided for the corporate use were costly, and not providing the type of signature the design team has built.
The existing intranet site can support the feature with low complexity and high ROI.
So, we implemented a simple form pre-populated with currently logged in user's basic information available from the Azure AD login.
User can enter or adjust the details, see the preview of the signature and click on a copy button to copy the generated signature.
A link to setup an email signature in office 365 was provided in popup message once the user clicks the copy button.
Here is how the solution impacted:
Well done team!
A well-executed process can help a business to identify areas where custom software can improve processes, increase efficiency, and support growth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can custom software improve business operations?
Custom software can improve business operations by addressing specific inefficiencies, streamlining processes, and enhancing overall efficiency.
What tools can be used to assess and document current business processes?
Tools like Lucidchart, Visio, or even WordPad can be used to assess and document current business processes.
How can stakeholder input be collected and analyzed during the software identification process?
Stakeholder input can be collected and analyzed using survey tools like SurveyMonkey or Typeform.
What are the benefits of identifying and addressing inefficiencies in business processes?
Identifying and addressing inefficiencies can lead to cost reductions, increased efficiency, and improved customer satisfaction.
How can a business clearly define the goals and objectives of a custom software development project?
The goals and objectives can be clearly defined based on needs, such as cost reduction, efficiency improvement, or customer satisfaction enhancement.
How can a business evaluate existing solutions before opting for custom software development?
Existing solutions can be evaluated using comparison tools like Capterra, G2, or Software Suggest to assess their suitability.
What is the importance of prioritizing custom software development needs?
Prioritization ensures that the most critical needs are addressed first, maximizing the impact of custom software development.
Can you provide an example of a business that benefited from custom software development?
Yes, for example, a business improved its email signature process, making it consistent, efficient, and cost-effective by using custom software.
How did the email signature generator solution impact the organization's operations?
The solution resulted in consistent email signatures, easy updates, and included promotional links and images, saving time and resources.
How can a well-executed process help businesses in identifying opportunities for custom software development?
A well-executed process can help businesses identify areas for process improvement, increased efficiency, and growth support through custom software.
Prashant Lakhlani Solution Architect Wednesday, February 15, 2023
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