The lowdown
Nowadays, speaking of app development is such a common thing, we have even coined the term “app” to mainly refer to mobile apps. Almost everyone has the idea of developing an app at some point. What not everyone gets to know is the process that the development of a mobile application must go through until its birth, which normally coincides with the upload to the stores. This whole path can be divided into several phases of the development of an application, now we will see the main ones.
Which are the stages developing a mobile app?
When we have the project of creating a mobile app, knowing all the phases that the development envolves helps us at the beginning to have a global idea of the process and, once involved it allows us to better understand the process of creating the app development.
We now go on to list each of the phases that we can find in an app development project, they do not have to happen always because it will depend on the needs of the client. We may start working with a given design, the app may needs a server or not, or a website must be developed etc. Some of these phases can be parallelized depending on availability and client´s needs.
Main phases of the mobile app development
The development stages of a mobile app first go through the definition of the mobile solution (not just the app) until reaching the development of the product. Therefore, when we talk about app development, we only refer to one of these phases that make up the creation cycle.
In summary, the most important phases and those that we will delve into below are the following:
- Functional definition of the app: What does my app need to do? In what detail do I need this functionality
- Design of the solution, both at the level of information architecture and visual design.
- Development of the app in the chosen technology.
1. Creation of the functional definition, views of the app
This is the only part where the customer has to actively participate. No one better than him who knows his company or his business model to define the needs of the application in a briefing that summarizes its functionalities. In the event that the client does not have the capacity to prepare this documentation, it would be necessary to hire a consultancy in which we could deal this part next to the client.
Before contracting the project, we must take into account a series of considerations or steps prior to the development of apps that will help the specialized team understand us better.
This summary helps us understand everything that covers the product in greater detail. Ideally, a small introduction should be included explaining what the product is, to whom it is intended and how it is expected to be monetized. The following is a very specific description of each of the functionalities for each type of profile, for example the structure could be:
This document will help you to know your priorities, to define the phases of the product and to have the MVP specified in case it would be necessary. Even it is sometimes useful to include a sketch, using the support of some tool such as balsamiq wireframes.
2. Study of the project
After receiving the necessary documentation from the client and studying it, we have a meeting to clarify doubts and to agree on the functional definition so that all the requested scope is included. In our case, we do not just make a list of functionalities, we provide the client with the best way to approach each one, which undoubtedly promotes the success of the app development project. In addition, we convert these functionalities into user stories by facilitating the final evaluation of the project. Once the development is decided, the scope is validated with the client and the planning is prepared. In some cases a graphic proposal is presented so that the client can get a visual idea of the result of the application.
3. UX Design
A usability study is done to improve the use of the application, increase the level of user satisfaction and its conversion rate.
We have more than 10 years of experience in mobile usability, one of the most important factors in the app development because it makes the app easy to use.
4. UI design
Mockup design in which a graphic solution is presented that responds to the style guide proposed by the client and if we find a new brand, the colors, the logo etc. will be defined
The graphic interface of the application is designed taking into account the special features of Android and iOS to meet the expectations of each type of user. The latter is very important in the app development because it facilitates the use of the application on each of the platforms.
5. Web development / CMS
Implementation of the content manager on a web platform when required for the project and the client does not have one. Its design and development will be included in the schedule when necessary.
6. Android Development / iOS Development
Application implementation on the required platforms with at least one computer engineer specialized in Android and another in iOS who can work in parallel. Meanwhile, the CTO supervises the correct implementation of the architecture of the solution. Below you have a graphic example of what an app development schedule would look like in which some of the phases we have discussed above are shown:
The importance of the app developing team in the development of the app
What might not be as easy is finding the right people for the job. Here, at Mobivery, we have formed a multidisciplinary team composed of managers, designers and developers that all work together in harmony using all the skills that are necessary for the development. We have an exceptional team with fundamental technical knowledge and experience and this is essential in order for your app to stand out and be different from the rest.
Experience in the development of apps
At Mobivery we started in 2008 with the development of apps as we know them today. It all began in San Francisco at a presentation given by Steve Jobs for AppStore after the Apple guru made the following statement to all the engineers that were present; “Welcome to the age of app development.”
At that point in time we were the first company to materialize the development of apps with the first publication of an App in the Spanish AppStore.
Since then, we have continued to carry out personalized developments for all necessary mobile platforms that have arisen.
We have an experience that ranges from the first SDK for the development of apps for iOS to the latest version of Google destined for Android.
During this time we have accomplished the development of apps for a variety of different sectors such as sporting apps, entertainment apps, cultural apps, banking apps, journalistic apps, television apps and finally, educational apps.
Tell us your idea and our expert team help you all the way with the design of your mobile app. Contact us to find out how we can help you.
