Have You Encountered Any of These Common Software Development Concerns?
I have trouble modifying current code because it is too intertwined with other functionality.
If I make a change, I am uncertain of the downstream impacts it may have.
Since my code lacks comments, I am uncertain of the functionality of the code or what will happen if it is modified.
I need to spend an inordinate amount of time tracing through the code to understand all of the touchpoints.
Guilford Group Development Best Practices
Proven Philosophies to Accelerate Software Development and Lower Project Risks
Guilford Group’s development teams employ the following critical success factors to aid acceleration of software development and lower project risks:
Our developers engage in modular development where a large code base is separated into simple sub-programs connected by well-defined interfaces which execute only one aspect of the desired functionality independently.
Aim: Develop smaller, self-contained functional programs because they are easier to write, optimize, and maintain which saves time on debugging code that is complex, long, and unreadable.
Result: Issues can be localized without affecting the entire code base and parts of programs can be replaced in future versions to support new features; prevent over investment of development efforts in failed or suboptimal approaches.
Our developers write programs where communication and comments are just as important as code.
Aim: Make code as readable and comprehensible as possible for future changes
Result: This ensures those who will read and maintain the program are able to quickly come up to speed with the functionality and the chosen approach.
Our developers separate the mechanisms of the programs from the policies of the programs.
Aim: A program divided into a front-end interface and a back-end engine that communicate seamlessly to each other
Result: Prevent bug introduction by allowing policies to be changed with minimum likelihood of destabilizing functional operations
Why Guilford Group?
We are constantly reviewing and fine tuning our development and project management practices to ensure we are following industry best practices and delivering sustainable code that promotes lower maintenance efforts and costs. Our development teams also focus on solving long-term business objectives to reduce rework and project risk. With over 25 years of experience, our leadership team is dedicated to promoting process-oriented development, team organization and accountability throughout the organization to ensure consistent, value-added services with every engagement. Reach out to us to see our high-functioning teams in action for your next project.
Focus on Long-Term Objectives with Guilford Group Development Best Practices
Streamlining Development Processes to Improve Time to Market and Meet Your Business Goals
Guilford Group’s development team follows a rigorous framework of standards and processes built upon applied best practices in the software development industry. This time-tested protocol ensures that development meets your long-term business objectives, while remaining agile in day-to-day operations. As part of the process, you get timely and deliberate updates on your project’s progress throughout the entire engagement to ensure you are receiving the desired business features and lowering your risk.
During the development phase, it is common for projects to seem overly complicated and difficult to follow from the end-user’s perspective. Guilford Group’s team of experts are constantly reviewing objectives to ensure that your project is handed off to you with targeted training and minimal downtime, including deliverable milestones that can be tested as one complete feature set.
Breaking Down a Complex Process into Smaller Modules (Order to Cash)
To better explain our development philosophies, we have selected a major business process and broken it into its sub processes (modules) and their individual functions. The workflow diagram above outlines the Order to Cash (O2C) process including its major sub-functions – Pre-Sales, Order Processing, Shipping and Billing. Within each sub-function, the individual features are shown with how the process flows between those features. In Shipping, Delivery details are obtained from the Sales Order, utilized and then relevant details are passed on the Shipment, Transfer Order, Billing Document and Goods Issue functions.
In practice, we develop each of the four functions within Shipping as individual modules that are self-contained. Each can be scoped, designed, developed, tested and implemented separately. Once all the features of a module are successfully implemented, they can all be connected to the other features within the module as well as to features in other modules. This modular development philosophy ensures code is easier to write, maintain and implement.
Contact Guilford Group today for more information.