The development life cycle is what makes a product reviewed and improved. (We have discussed Web Development Life Cycle Extensively in this Article). Any product development requires a series of iterations. These iterations are functional breakpoints that help to check a product’s quality and ensure its directions. In Mobile App development, developers can simply adapt the old school software development, but with some adjustments. By adding one or more additional checks such as third-party integrations, the App development process can be simplified, resulting in quality apps in time.
This article deal suggests a simple Mobile App development life cycle or Mobile app development process. Based on the project requirements, you can add certain phases to make it perfect for your client’s needs, by fitting them with the product delivery cycle.
Phase 1: Requirement analysis
As in any project, before we embark, on developing a mobile app, the initial step is to do a complete and thorough requirement analysis. Below is a set of actionable steps. This is a very critical step that a slight degree of change/error can cost you many more dollars or even worse – you will end up creating a useless app!
There are two models of doing a requirement analysis. The first and the most common one is when a mobile app needs to be built into an already existing system or process or even update an already existing one. The other one is someone with a novel idea approaches you to birth the idea with the help of your expertise.
For a Predefined App
- Define the Purpose of the App with maximum clarity
- List the Functionality required
- Identify the User, hardware, and software requirements
- Decide the required Platform in which the app will be built
- Assess the technical feasibility
For an idea-based App
- Decide the Purpose of the App
- Collect App ideas
- Do Market Research
- Analyze competition
- Study the business feasibility
- List the Functionality required
- Identify the User, hardware, and software requirements
- Decide the required Platform in which the app will be built
- Assess the technical feasibility
Phase 2: Estimate and Approval
Once the functional requirements are ready, you need to come up with an estimate. In simple terms, we calculate the no: of hours required and the cost involved in development.
Estimate = No: of Hours Required X Cost per hour (includes the cost of Requirements analysis till Successful Deployment)
The below list will help you to work out an estimate.
- Find out the modules – Examples of modules would be login/logout, Dashboard, User profiles, security etc.
- Costing for design – The design may be managed by using a theme or you may want to do a custom design by dedicated designers.
- Costing for development – The hours that the developers require to release the app. You can choose to either include or exclude the testing hours. However, looking at a high level, it is best to include the testing hours too.
- The Estimate = Requirements Analysis + Design + Development
Once you are done with this, if you are doing this for your client, make sure to get approval. If it is being felt that the cost is high, remember that this is an end-to-end price.
Phase 3: Conceptualization
Having got approval on the time and cost, the temptation is to jump into the actual development process. Trust us when we say this. Do not. Instead, quickly build a prototype using a wireframe approach.
- Application prototype
- App flow wireframes
Phase 4: Mock-up Approval from client
With a ready-to-show prototype, you are miles ahead in confirming the correctness of the requirements. In most cases, the gap between the expected and the actual app pushes the app to an unusable one. Hence have a client meeting with the prototype and get the approval of the expected app.
- Confirm the mock-up approval from the client
Phase 5: Development
From the Requirement Analysis phase, now is the time to move on to the Development Phase. The bunch of things that you need to keep in mind, apart from the actual coding is listed below.
Developer Account
Depending on whether you are developing an Android or iOS app, create the developer accounts including the creation of development and distribution profiles.
- Setup Developer account in apple and Google
- Creating development and distribution profiles
Development Methodology
Now is the time to choose the development methodology. We have found Agile to be a win-win for both the developer and the client.
- Choose the development methodology
- Agile Methodology is mostly preferred in mobile application development for the best result
Phase 6: UI/Graphic design
There are scores of tools to work on the UI/graphic design. A couple of them we have mentioned. There are much more. Depending on your requirement, you can choose.
- Adobe Photoshop, Figma etc.
- Adobe Illustrator
- Themes and UI Kits
Universal or Cross-platform App
It is ideal that, irrespective of the functionality, the app needs to work on devices and operating systems. However, some of them would be specific that their app needs to be iOS-based only or Android-based only, which still would mean that it should work seamlessly across the devices with different screen sizes.
- Support for smartphone and tablet devices (Android)
- Support for iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad devices (iOS)
Push Notifications
For any decent app, with some good functionality, it is almost imperative to have push notifications. If yours is such a case, then here a couple of them.
- Apple Push Notification Service(APNS) (know more…)
- Firebase Cloud Message(FCM, GCM) (know more…)
Phase 7: Backend web and Web service Integration
By this time you would have come across the concept of web service integration and its usefulness. If not, below are a couple of them that you need to definitely look into for use with your app.
- Using a native framework or Third Party libraries (AFNetworking) for web service integration
- REST or SOAP Web services integration.
Third-party API’s
It is a sure shot that any app would be required to be integrated with a third party using its API. Here again, you have a list of them that you may use frequently. In case you are hearing it for the first time, read more on this here
- Social Media Integration
- Payment Gateways
- Google Map API (iOS)
- Bar Code Scanner
App Store Guidelines (iOS)
With all the hard work, what is the use if your app is getting rejected? Yes, even though your app may serve the required functionality, to sport it in the App Store, you need to follow guidelines. Be sure to read through here
- Follow Guidelines provided by Apple for development
- Avoid app rejection by following the Guidelines
Phase 8: Database creation
For database development, we have listed a few. Click on them to know more.
Web service Creation
- REST Web service
- SOAP Web service
Phase 9: Testing
Post-development, however perfect you think that your app is, never show an app to your client without testing. Keep this as a ritual, if need be. You will reap its benefit. We have listed the different types of testing that need to be done and cleared before you pat yourself on your back.
If you are using the Agile methodology, then this phase is included in each and every release, though not all types of testing will be used.
- UI Testing
- Usability Testing
- Module testing
- Operational Testing
- Security audit and testing
- Memory testing
- Client Acceptance
Deployment
Distribution
To showcase your app you will be choosing the below-listed forms of distribution.
- Ad-Hoc Deployment, Apple App Store, and In-House Deployment(iOS)
- Keystore, alias (Android)
Store Submission
Another area that you need to know about is store submission and the following review. For iOS, you can know more here. For Android apps start here.
- iOS App Store submission
- iOS App Store Build Review
- Android Play Store Submission
- Managing Certificates
App Maintenance
SVN
It is important to plan for future updates and minor changes in the app. The proven and best way to manage these is by using a version control system. Below we have mentioned one such, though there are many.
- Manage app source through Subversion(version control system)
Periodic App Maintenance
The mark of a quality app developer comes with the fact that the responsibility of maintenance is also being taken care of. Below is a list.
- Check user feedback (at stores) and ratings
- Reply users
- Check for user suggestions
- Check for the new OS version
- A test app for new screen sizes
- Upgrade features
- Security updates
- Sales monitoring (paid apps)
Marketing
When we develop a new idea-based app, at some point, there would arise the need for marketing the app. There is a way to do that also. App marketing is a fully matured industry in itself. For the best results, it is good to approach a dedicated SEO firm that will cover these for you in the long term.
- App Store Optimization
- SEO / Social Media / Directory Submissions
We trust you had a good overview and enough points to plan and prepare to develop and deploy mobile apps. Do get in touch with us if you have any roadblocks or you want to know more. We are an expert Mobile app development Company, read more about our services.