When making a mobile app, developers are likely to run into a number of problems that they will need to solve. Due to this, any company that focuses on app development needs to follow the rules for project management that make sure apps work well while staying within the time and budget for the project.
It’s easy to get off track with this process if you don’t have a good plan, and any good plan should start with how the project will be managed. On the other hand, there are many different ways and frameworks that can be used to manage a project. Some of them are helpful when making mobile apps and other software, but others aren’t as useful.
If you are making an app and don’t know which type of project management will work best for you, you have come to the right place. We put together this article based on years of managing project teams, especially in the mobile app and software development fields.
What is App Development Project Management?
Mobile application development project management is a well-organized process. It consists of planning, controlling and coordinating the project activities from initiation to completion. Additionally, it entails the management of a group of people towards the accomplishment of certain targets within a given period.
One of the most obvious examples of using app development project management is the development of a mobile application. It starts from the planning stage and goes up to the deployment stage, and each stage is well coordinated. This involves determining what the app will do, what key functions it will have, and managing the development.
The management of an app development project cannot be complete without the use of reports. They give a clear line of action, assist in arriving at the right decisions and enhance the probability of success. For instance, an app development project status report template provides you with a ready-made structure that includes essential details like the current status of the app, issues faced, and future plans.
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Why Does App Development Project Management Matter?
Application development project management is one of the critical aspects of creating an application. It is not about coding or design but about managing all the components to create a perfect piece of work. Now let’s look at why it’s so important.
First of all, one of the advantages of managing app development project is the ability to set expectations. It helps to align all the stakeholders and make sure that they have the right expectations. It eliminates such a situation when one has an understanding of the project’s direction, and the other does not.
Secondly, app development project management improves on the aspect of communication. Creating a mobile app is a team effort that includes the client, designers, and programmers. A good project management is one that allows proper communication whereby important information is not left out.
The final benefit of app development project management is that it helps in improving the management of resources. Product development is a process that is characterized by a number of cycles. Effective management of projects ensures that the available resources are effectively used hence minimizing wastage.
Now it is high time to turn to some figures that would prove the relevance of app development project management. It is quite surprising that about 70% of all the projects are considered to be failures. However, if proper project management process is put in place, then the failure rate can be brought down to 20 percent or lower. Furthermore, organizations that underestimate the role of project management lose 50% more projects. These figures show how important the management of projects is in the direction of projects towards success.
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Types of App Development Project Management
One of the most important parts of effective software project management is choosing the right methodology. Here is a list of some of them.
Agile
Agile is more of a way of doing things than a set of steps. It’s more of a philosophy that stresses getting feedback from customers, making changes quickly, and acting on that feedback. The Agile way of thinking can be used with a number of different project management frameworks. This article talks about some of those frameworks.
Agile models are being used by more and more software companies because software development projects are so unique. For a product that is less tangible and more complicated, like software, it is important to be able to listen to customer feedback and make changes.
Scrum
Scrum is a framework for Agile that helps standardize some of the ways that Agile encourages people to work together.
A survey done by the Koblenz University of Applied Sciences found that this technique is the most common Agile framework used at the team level. Scrum begins with a product plan and a to-do list. To build features in short bursts, plan and launch sprints of 1–4 weeks.
Scrum also has a lot of meetings, which are used for many different things, like keeping track of progress, sharing new ideas, finding and getting rid of problems, and more.
Lean
Lean is another Agile paradigm that aims to get rid of all waste and boost efficiency so that goods can be delivered quickly while costs stay low. It was first used in the manufacturing industry. In the 1950s, Toyota was the first company to use the Lean method.
The main goal of the Lean method is to provide value to the customer. It gets rid of anything in the development process that isn’t geared toward reaching this goal. As a result, under Lean, costs and time spent are kept to a minimum. This makes it easier for the team to keep adding value to apps they have already made while also making new ones.
The most important parts of a successful Lean implementation are how you handle your resources and how you walk the fine line between being too lean and not lean enough. With this in mind, a skilled and self-disciplined software development team can use the Lean method to make high-quality apps.
RAD
Rapid Application Development is a method that focuses on making a prototype quickly and cheaply while getting feedback from customers over and over again to make the design better.
This method, like Agile, puts a lot of emphasis on doing things quickly. On the other hand, RAD makes a working prototype of the whole app at once, rather than one feature at a time.
RAD can cut the time it takes to make an app because it takes client feedback into account. This, in turn, makes the app better. But it only works with systems that can be broken up into separate modules, and it requires developers who are both skilled and organized.
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Who is a Project Manager?
Project management can be compared to a conductor in an orchestra, and in the context of app development project management, a project manager. They coordinate the various aspects of the app development process so that each part fits into the other at the right time.
Project managers are the central figure of any app development project. They are involved in the initiation, implementation and the termination of projects. They are involved in effort estimation, cost estimation, size estimation, duration estimation, project staffing, quality assurance and delivery.
Project managers in the context of app development are responsible for overseeing all the phases of the mobile app development life cycle. They have goals to be achieved, deadlines to be met and they help in directing the team. They also work as a controller in many cases, anticipating future dangers and controlling them before they happen.
For example, let us discuss the Salesforce which is one of the most popular CRM solutions. The project manager would have been responsible for the management of the different phases of the app development process.
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How They Apply App Development Project Management Methods
Experience has shown that a dedicated team is the best choice for long-term projects with changing needs. The main reason for this is that the project is being run by professionals who have been carefully chosen. This gives the most flexibility in terms of the range of work and responsibilities, as well as the ability to change costs and resources.
Below is a detailed list of the responsibilities that a project manager takes on regarding app development projects.
Estimations
Estimations are an important part of the first phase of a project, which is called the “discovery phase”. It is important for figuring out how much the whole project will cost, how long it will take, and how much work will be needed. Most of the time, the estimation takes into account time, money, and the people on the team.
Because all future planning and actions will be based on these estimates, it is very important for the project manager and the team to come up with accurate estimates of what needs to be done.
Scope Management
The team will find it easier to manage the project and make changes if the scope is specified at the start. Scope management helps outline the project’s goals, tasks, deliverables, deadlines, and budgets during planning.
Communications
After estimating, discuss it with the team and review the expectations. Call a meeting where each team member can discuss their project work and ask questions. Define the project scope and talk it out with the team.
This is the first step that will help your software development team understand the tasks, goals, and deadlines that have been set for them, giving them a clear plan to follow. Talk to your team about each of these points and decide what role each person will play in the project.
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Scheduling
Another possible risk that could affect whether or not the deadline is met is falling behind schedule. A project manager’s most important job is to make sure that each assignment is done on time and by the right person.
The project manager can allocate tasks using the Shortest Processing Time (SPT) or the Earliest Due Date (EDD). Each management team accordingly organizes and assigns responsibilities to project experts.
The project manager is in charge of predicting the risks, ranking them by how likely they are to stop the project from being finished (high, medium, or low), and then working to reduce those risks.
Resource Management
Everything that is done while a project is being made has something to do with managing resources. Most of the time, it takes a team of people, a number of tools, and software libraries. At the very beginning of the development process, it is of the utmost importance to estimate and set aside enough resources for the successful completion of the project. This is because if any part is missing, the development schedule can be thrown off.
Risk Management
The project manager must know every team member’s technical skills. This criterion must be considered to avoid project delays and missed deadlines.
The project manager reduces risks by communicating with the team and monitoring their work. Good managers know the nuances of their responsibilities and may assign them to the best workers.
Keeping Documentations Current
No project can ever be considered a success if the paperwork isn’t always up-to-date and in perfect shape. The project manager will be in charge of making the project’s final documentation, which will list the project’s features, procedures, and specifications so that they can be used in the future and carried out.
These reports will help with software development tasks and project management in the future. They will also help with upgrades and help if they are needed.
Tools for App Development Project Management Managers Use
In addition to all of the helpful tips listed above, there are also a lot of project management tools that can help app development projects be completed successfully. Let’s look at how project managers use some of these tools in the real world.
Asana
One of the tools that are on the rise in the area of application development project management is Asana. It is intended to help with the organization of project management activities so that managers can create, assign, and monitor progress.
The organization of Asana is based on workspaces, projects, and tasks. It also provides the managers with the necessary visibility of the progress of the project. For example, a tech company introducing a new mobile app feature can utilize Asana to plan new products/ features ideas.
Asana provides a detailed approach to the management of resources. It enables the managers to set such as “Feature Specs Completed,” “MVP Release,” and “Beta Testing.” These are the significant markers that can be placed on the timeline of the project to ensure that the deadlines are visible.
Also, Asana works with more than 200 apps, giving a single source to manage high-impact work in real-time. This feature assists the managers in tracking all the activities, so that the most crucial tasks are accomplished.
Asana also has features such as boards, lists, and templates to help in planning for a project. These features together with the communication tools assist in the implementation of the project.
As for the reporting and analytics, Asana offers the dashboards for real-time tracking and for monitoring the key performance indicators such as the rate of task completion and deadlines. Managers are able to create their own reports to monitor the status of a project and the productivity of the team.
Trello
Trello is one of the most used tools for the management of app development projects, it is a web application. It is based on the Kanban system and can easily integrate with Agile principles. Trello is a tool that provides a more visual way of managing projects and it is easy for the teams to come up with visual representations of their work.
Another advantage of Trello is that it can be used to work with Agile processes. In this case, the Trello board, lists, and cards can be used to track every step of the app development project by the teams. This encompasses overseeing of team sprints in the specific boards to enhance real time project tracking. For instance, Trello Enterprise has further features including the following; unlimited Workspaces which is useful in managing sprints across departments.
Bug tracking is also a strong point of Trello. Every software is developed and has its flaws and bugs are not exceptions to this rule. Trello Enterprise assists in tracking bug requests as they come in and also in assigning them to different people. It also includes an unlimited number of automation commands that enable the automation of actions in Trello.
Furthermore, Trello works in cooperation with more than 200 applications. This enables teams to have all their work in one place and well arranged. For example, teams can integrate Jira and Trello to assist all their teams to improve their coordination.
Basecamp
Basecamp is a project management tool that has revolutionized how app development project management is done. It is a tool that makes project management easy to handle and allows small teams to get more done than they ever could imagine.
Basecamp is a single platform for teamwork and organization of software products. It connects with a myriad of other apps to enhance its capabilities even more than it already does. This integration helps in the easy administration of software products through a single console.
Another aspect of Basecamp is that it minimizes the noise that is associated with software development projects. It provides easy to use progress trackers, tasks, calendars, direct messages, group messaging, files and much more. These features assist software development teams in being able to concentrate on the code and not the clutter.
Thus, Basecamp can be easily integrated into any software project and improve it no matter which methodology is used. Regardless of whether your team employs Kanban, Scrum, Agile or Waterfall, Basecamp is open to all.
Basecamp is used by more than 75,000 organizations from every field and industry, in 166 countries. Such broad application points to the efficiency of Basecamp in managing app development project.
Zoho Projects
In app development project management, Zoho Projects can be considered as one of the most effective tools. It is a low-cost project management app that is loaded with features. It is famous for its tight integration with other Zoho applications so that you can link Zoho Projects to its CRM, help desk, email service provider, and accounting software.
Another advantage of Zoho Projects is that it is very easy to use. It provides quick access, integration, and smart features that save time on handling people, projects, and information. This makes it an ideal choice for teams that are in the lookout for a way to effectively manage their app development projects.
Zoho Projects is also appreciated for its relatively low price. It has a free version for three users and the cheapest annual subscription plans in the market among the leaders. This makes it a cheap solution for the teams regardless of the number of people in the team.
Also, Zoho Projects has some advantages in different types of project management such as agile, portfolio, and remote. Its main components like planning and tracking are very sound and it is suitable for agile software development teams.
Pivotal Tracker
Pivotal Tracker is a powerful tool in the area of app development project management. It is a project management tool designed to be flexible to support narrow cooperation between software development teams. Developed by Pivotal Labs, it reflects best practices of agile, based on the lessons learned from hundreds of successful large scale projects.
The tool is useful in that it maintains a single view of priorities for all the teams in an organization. This feature helps in the intelligent handling of projects. All work in Pivotal Tracker is initiated with a story, no matter what you are developing. These stories assist teams to enhance the management and tracking of the teams from the initiation to delivery stage.
Pivotal Tracker makes developers to consider the people who use the product developed. It offers the means for the teams to change and grow. Tracker’s guided iteration planning assists in breaking down and prioritizing projects to ensure that the team is always on track in delivering.
Notably, Pivotal Tracker is adopted by such brands as Twitter, Glovo, and Accenture. This fact proves its efficiency and popularity among the companies of the industry.
Designveloper’s App Development Project Management
At Designveloper, we have been able to learn how to manage app development project effectively. We have completed over 100 projects and have logged more than 500,000 hours of work across more than 20 industries with over 50 technologies. We have worked on everything from building healthcare platforms to designing crypto wallets and everything in between.
Our approach
For new projects, we apply Analogous Estimation. When a client submits a request, our estimation team sits down with the client to assess their needs. These are then divided into a list features. We have developed a database of features from past data of similar projects. Then the team identifies similar features in our library and assesses the time, cost, and resources required. This leads to the generation of an initial guesstimate of the time and cost for the client’s software project.
In the case of Agile/SCRUM, the Planning Poker is usually applied. In the case of planning, all the members of the project team are involved in the estimation of all the items planned for the sprint. Every member gives an estimate of the story point which represents the effort that he or she expects to take in order to accomplish the item. The team then comes up with the estimated number of items that are to be delivered in the particular sprint, which is usually for two weeks. Planning Poker is one of the most used estimation techniques performed by Agile teams that work with SCRUM or Extreme Programming (XP).
The tools we use
Trello is best suited for internal projects or for organizations where the technical aspect is not dominant such as HR and admin. A Trello board is a progress tracking board where each task is in a specific column: To Do, Doing, Done. It also provides features such as assigning tasks, adding checklists, setting due dates and even coming with notifications of the upcoming deadlines.
Jira is a more professional tool for project management as opposed to Trello. It supports the two most widely used Agile frameworks in the current world: the SCRUM and Kanban. Another advantage of Jira is the possibility to define the process of each task so that the statuses of the tasks change according to the process defined by the team. Jira also offers many reports to visualize project data as well. For instance, Burndown chart, Burnup chart, Velocity chart, and Cumulative Flow Diagram to monitor the work progress. Information connected with deployment (Cycle time report, Deployment frequency report) enables project managers to evaluate the capability to deliver value to customers. They are used in charting the future course of the product.
With help of Jira’s reporting features, project managers can always track the work in progress and distribution of resources in a team, in order to make the right decisions at the right time.
Conclusion
Choosing a decent app project management approach is only half the battle. The other part of the challenge is finding software that can handle all of the complexities and quirks, as well as a project manager who is both capable and excited to take on the challenge.
Without good project management, it’s impossible to make a successful app. The people in charge of the project make sure that the application is built exactly as described, that any changes that need to be made are made quickly and effectively, and that the budget and deadline are kept as tight as possible.
How about app development project management at Designveloper? Designveloper has made a lot of apps and managed a lot of projects, and we have perfected an Agile-oriented process that not only boosts confidence but also makes our customers happy. Because of this, we are able to keep the quality of what we offer at a high level.
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