The process of software development is rapidly evolving with the emerging new technologies being introduced in the field. In order for any software development service to be reliable and successful, it is necessary for the software development team to keep up with these technologies.
Some of the latest tech trends influencing the field of software development:
- Cloud computing
- Machine Learning
- Internet of Things
- Artificial Intelligence
- Blockchain
- Big Data
Simultaneously, the software development market is becoming quite a competitive one. In order to keep up with changing times, customer software development companies are looking to speed up their software development process while ensuring quality, bug-free product to be launched in the market.
The industry is moving towards a multi-disciplinary approach for the process. In order to keep up with the competitive environment, software development companies are also looking towards streamlining the process through Big Data.
What exactly is Big Data?
Big data refers to large datasets that can be computationally analyzed in order to map out trends, associations, and patterns especially in case of human interactions and behaviors.
According to a report by IDC, more than 37% of the total data generated can be put to use when analyzed. The field customer software development is already privy to that.
Big data majorly helps software development companies comprehend what works and what doesn’t back by quantitative results.
In the process of custom software development, big data can contribute tremendously in finding out trends and patterns that can help you develop a product that is extremely well-tailored to your targeted users. Big data can help software developers analyze every component of their software in terms of how a user interacts with it.
Here are a few ways in which big data analytics can be used in software development:
- Analyze what works and what doesn’t
- Make strategic adjustments to the software project based on data]
- Optimize resources
- Minimize expenses in software development
Thus, big data can help developers strategize the process of custom software development according to these patterns for an optimized user-experience saving up on time and money.
This has led to increased adoption of this practice, specifically integrating it with agile development.
Big data in Agile Development
Agile software development is the most preferred method of software development for businesses these days. The focus of the project is on perfecting every component to compile during the end process along with customer involvement and teamwork. The development time is faster and the task loads heavier when it comes to agile development. Big data provides the efficiency and accuracy needed to proceed with the agile development process.
Utilizing big data technologies such as Hadoop and cloud-based analytics during agile development at each stage can give an accurate picture of how each assumption will play out in terms of the final product.
Big data can prove to be beneficial at every step of the way. Agile developers can now test and analyze data during and post sprints to understand what is being done right and what isn’t. This minimizes risk and additional costs to be spent on modifications. Utilizing big data applications in custom software development can prevent progression in the wrong duration and keep up with the deadlines set.
To reap the benefits of big data in agile development, specific software development architecture is to be developed.
Software architecture in Big Data
In order to successfully utilize big data in software development, proper software development architecture must be created that gathers, organizes and analyzes data to create specific KPIs for each component of the development process.
Generally, data-driven software development firms create structured reports based on big data through data analytics software and strategize based on these reports.
An incremental approach is required for building the architecture of software development using big data that provides ample room for iteration. The approach is simple; changes are cheaper. Software developers often tend to rely on big data with the Big Design Up Front mind-set.
Developers prefer data-centric and event-driven architectural patterns for software development in a big data-driven environment to perfect every component of the software through modifications in agile development.
Each component is tested using big data applications (HPE Application Lifecycle Management Software for e.g.) and the data generated through testing and delivery is then analyzed for specific problems. Iterations are made accordingly to perfect each aspect of the product leading to a tested, quality finished product.
Final words:
Big data can thus help simplify the process of software development to a great extent making room for required changes. However, in order to transition to a big data environment, software developers must acquire the skills and resources to distinguish what exact data is to be measured and used and discard the rest.
Experience, skilled resources, and big data are the trifecta to quality custom software development.
Author Bio:
Hardik Shah works as a Tech Consultant at Simform, a leading custom software development company. He leads large scale mobility programs covering platforms, solutions, governance, standardization and best practices.
