software developer business plan

Business Plan for Software Company

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Software Company Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their software companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a software company business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a software company business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Software Company Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your software company as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Software Company

If you’re looking to start a software company or grow your existing software company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your software company to improve your chances of success. Your software company business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Software Companies

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a software company are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for software companies.

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How to write a business plan for a software company.

If you want to start a software company or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your software company business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of software company you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a software company that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of software companies?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the software company industry.
• Discuss the type of software company you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of software company you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of software companies:

• Open source: An open source software company is one that produces a code base that is free for any entity that desires to use it. The value of this structure is found in the auxiliary services and customizations that are provided to clients. Examples of highly-profitable open source software companies include Linux and Red Hat.
• Client-specific: As cloud computing continues to grow in popularity, more companies look to specific software programs to drive their businesses further into high-growth positions. Examples of client-specific software companies include Oracle and SAP.
• Programming services: Software companies that provide programming are essential to the tech industry. Examples include Microsoft and ADP, well-known giant software companies.
• System services: Software companies have become highly successful, as they’ve perfected the art of creating systems for personal computers and the growing field of tablets and other personal devices. Examples of software companies that focus on systems include Intuit and Adobe.

In addition to explaining the type of software company business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of software programs created, the number of specialized SaaS services created, or reaching X number of clients served, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the software company industry. While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the software company industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your software company business plan:

• How big is the software company industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your software company business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your software company business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: start-up tech companies, companies in need of CRM software, research and development companies, and cloud-computing corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of software company business you operate. Clearly, start-up tech companies would respond to different marketing promotions than major cloud-computing corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and industry profiles. With regard to demographics, include a discussion of the locations, type of services or programming needed and revenue potential of the client companies you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target clients within the companies you will target. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other software company businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes generic software outlets, private individual providers, and computer servicing companies.You need to mention direct competition, as well.

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of software company are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regard to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide options for the customized software?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer bundled pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a software company business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of software company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide open source programming, SaaS products, or software to support Microsoft systems?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your software company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your software company located in a professional technology park, a standalone building or is it purely online? , Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your software company marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Quarterly press releases to industry-wide interest groups
• Engage in social media mining and marketing
• Offer informative blogs; become a speaker in seminars
• Create a strong presence at tech trade shows and conferences
• Give expert opinions on tech social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your software company, including meeting with clients, planning new software development, training personnel, and running administrative services.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sign your Xth contract, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your software company business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your software company’s potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing a software company. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a software company or successfully running a small technology development firm.

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Financial plan.

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you introduce a new software program on a yearly basis, or will you customize software for return clients? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your software company, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit, but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a software company:

• Cost of computer and software equipment
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, furnishings and office supplies

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include the patents you own on software programs or a list of clients on monthly retainers.

Writing a business plan for your software company is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the software company industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful software company.

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Software Company Business Plan

High margins, low startup costs, global reach, and a recurring revenue model make starting a software company a lucrative and rewarding profession.

Need help writing a business plan for your software company? You’re at the right place. Our software company business plan template will help you get started.

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• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

How to Write A Software Company Business Plan?

Writing a software company business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

• Introduce your Business: Start your executive summary by briefly introducing your business to your readers.This section may include the name of your software company, its location, when it was founded, the type of software company (E.g., enterprise software companies, mobile app development companies, data analytics companies), etc.
• Market Opportunity: Summarize your market research, including market size, growth potential, and marketing trends. Highlight the opportunities in the market and how your business will fit in to fill the gap.
• Products and Services: Highlight the software company services you offer your clients. The USPs and differentiators you offer are always a plus.For instance, you may include custom software development, software consulting, software testing, etc as some of your services.
• Marketing & Sales Strategies: Outline your sales and marketing strategies—what marketing platforms you use, how you plan on acquiring customers, etc.
• Financial Highlights: Briefly summarize your financial projections for the initial years of business operations. Include any capital or investment requirements, associated startup costs, projected revenues, and profit forecasts.
• Call to Action: Summarize your executive summary section with a clear CTA, for example, inviting angel investors to discuss the potential business investment.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

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2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

• Enterprise software companies
• SaaS companies
• Mobile app development companies
• Web development companies
• Cybersecurity companies
• HealthTech companies
• Describe the legal structure of your software company, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.
• Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.
• Owners: List the names of your software company’s founders or owners. Describe what shares they own and their responsibilities for efficiently managing the business.
• Mission Statement: Summarize your business’ objective, core principles, and values in your mission statement. This statement needs to be memorable, clear, and brief.
• Business History: If you’re an established software company, briefly describe your business history, like—when it was founded, how it evolved over time, etc.Additionally, If you have received any awards or recognition for excellent work, describe them.
• Future Goals: It’s crucial to convey your aspirations and vision. Mention your short-term and long-term goals; they can be specific targets for revenue, market share, or expanding your services.

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

• Target market: Start this section by describing your target market. Define your ideal customer and explain what types of services they prefer. Creating a buyer persona will help you easily define your target market to your readers.For instance, businesses & entrepreneurs, the government sector, the public sector, or healthcare would be an ideal target audience for a software company.
• Market size and growth potential: Describe your market size and growth potential and whether you will target a niche or a much broader market.For instance; the global software market was 55.52 billion in 2022, so describe how much of the market you will cover and what will be the growth potential of your business.
• Competitive Analysis: Identify and analyze your direct and indirect competitors. Identify their strengths and weaknesses, and describe what differentiates your software company from them. Point out how you have a competitive edge in the market.
• Market Trends: Analyze emerging trends in the industry, such as technology disruptions, changes in customer behavior or preferences, etc. Explain how your business will cope with all the trends.For instance, cloud computing or artificial intelligence has a booming market; explain how you plan on dealing with this potential growth opportunity.
• Regulatory Environment: List regulations and licensing requirements that may affect your software company, such as intellectual property protection, software licensing, software licensing, data protection, antitrust & competition laws, etc.

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your internet software company business plan:

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

• Custom Software Development
• Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Software
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Software Development Tools
• Software Consulting
• Software Maintenance and Support
• Software Testing and Quality Assurance
• Training and Documentation
• Industry focus: Mention the industries that your software company serves if it specializes in serving those sectors. Describe how the needs and challenges are addressed by the products and services you offer.
• Quality measures: This section should explain how you maintain quality standards and consistently provide the highest quality service. This may include bug-free software, User Experience, performance optimization, compliance & standards, etc.
• Additional Services: Mention if your software company offers any additional services. You may include services like custom software development, software consulting & advisory services, software training & documentation, etc.

In short, this section of your software company plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

• Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Define your business’s USPs depending on the market you serve, the equipment you use, and the unique services you provide. Identifying USPs will help you plan your marketing strategies.For example, customized & tailored solutions, innovation & cutting-edge technology, or exceptional user experience, could be some of the great USPs for a professional software company.
• Pricing Strategy: Describe your pricing strategy—how you plan to price your products or services and stay competitive in the local market. You can mention any discounts you plan on offering to attract new customers.
• Marketing Strategies: Discuss your marketing strategies to market your services. You may include some of these marketing strategies in your business plan—social media marketing, Google ads, email marketing, content marketing, etc.
• Sales Strategies: Outline the strategies you’ll implement to maximize your sales. Your sales strategies may include partnering with other businesses, offering referral programs, etc.
• Customer Retention: Describe your customer retention strategies and how you plan to execute them. For instance, introducing loyalty programs, discounts or offers, personalized service, etc.

Overall, this section of your software company business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your software company, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

• Staffing & Training: Mention your business’s staffing requirements, including the number of employees or developers needed. Include their qualifications, the training required, and the duties they will perform.
• Operational Process: Outline the processes and procedures you will use to run your software company. Your operational processes may include requirements gathering, design & planning, development, deployment, project management, collaboration & communication, etc.
• Software & Tools: Include the list of software & tools required for a software company, such as cloud services & infrastructure, project management tools, Version Control Systems, collaboration & communication tools, etc.Explain how these technologies help you maintain quality standards and improve the efficiency of your business operations.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your software company’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

• Founders/CEO: Mention the founders and CEO of your software company, and describe their roles and responsibilities in successfully running the business.
• Key managers: Introduce your management and key members of your team, and explain their roles and responsibilities.It should include, key executives(e.g. COO, CMO.), senior management, and other department managers (e.g. operations manager, customer services manager, product manager.) involved in the software company operations, including their education, professional background, and any relevant experience in the industry.
• Organizational structure: Explain the organizational structure of your management team. Include the reporting line and decision-making hierarchy.
• Compensation Plan: Describe your compensation plan for the management and staff. Include their salaries, incentives, and other benefits.
• Advisors/Consultants: Mentioning advisors or consultants in your business plans adds credibility to your business idea.So, if you have any advisors or consultants, include them with their names and brief information consisting of roles and years of experience.

This section should describe the key personnel for your software company services, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

• Profit & loss statement: Describe details such as projected revenue, operational costs, and service costs in your projected profit and loss statement . Make sure to include your business’s expected net profit or loss.
• Cash flow statement: The cash flow for the first few years of your operation should be estimated and described in this section. This may include billing invoices, payment receipts, loan payments, and any other cash flow statements.
• Balance Sheet: Create a projected balance sheet documenting your software company’s assets, liabilities, and equity.
• Break-even point: Determine and mention your business’s break-even point—the point at which your business costs and revenue will be equal.This exercise will help you understand how much revenue you need to generate to sustain or be profitable.
• Financing Needs: Calculate costs associated with starting a software company, and estimate your financing needs and how much capital you need to raise to operate your business. Be specific about your short-term and long-term financing requirements, such as investment capital or loans.

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your software company business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

This sample software company business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful software company plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our software company business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a software company business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful software company business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your software company.

How to get funding for your software company?

There are several ways to get funding for your software company, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are

• Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
• Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your business, usually online.
• Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought startup options.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your software company?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your software company business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your software company business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any software company business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software .

How do I write a good market analysis in a software company business plan?

Market analysis is one of the key components of your business plan that requires deep research and a thorough understanding of your industry. We can categorize the process of writing a good market analysis section into the following steps:

• Stating the objective of your market analysis—e.g., investor funding.
• Industry study—market size, growth potential, market trends, etc.
• Identifying target market—based on user behavior and demographics.
• Analyzing direct and indirect competitors.
• Calculating market share—understanding TAM, SAM, and SOM.
• Knowing regulations and restrictions
• Organizing data and writing the first draft.

Writing a marketing analysis section can be overwhelming, but using ChatGPT for market research can make things easier.

How detailed should the financial projections be in my software company business plan?

The level of detail of the financial projections of your software company may vary considering various business aspects like direct and indirect competition, pricing, and operational efficiency. However, your financial projections must be comprehensive enough to demonstrate a complete view of your financial performance.

Generally, the statements included in a business plan offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.

What key components should a software company business plan include?

The following are the key components your software company business plan must include:

• Executive summary
• Business Overview
• Market Analysis
• Products and services
• Sales and marketing strategies
• Operations plan
• Management team
• Financial plan

Can a good software company business plan help me secure funding?

Indeed. A well-crafted software company will help your investors better understand your business domain, market trends, strategies, business financials, and growth potential—helping them make better financial decisions.

So, if you have a profitable and investable business, a comprehensive business plan can certainly help you secure your business funding.

What's the importance of a marketing strategy in a software company business plan?

Marketing strategy is a key component of your software company business plan. Whether it is about achieving certain business goals or helping your investors understand your plan to maximize their return on investment—an impactful marketing strategy is the way to do it!

Here are a few pointers to help you understand the importance of having an impactful marketing strategy:

• It provides your business an edge over your competitors.
• It helps investors better understand your business and growth potential.
• It helps you develop products with the best profit potential.
• It helps you set accurate pricing for your products or services.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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A Sample Software Development Business Plan Template

Are you about starting a software development company? If YES, here is a complete sample software development business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE . A software development company is where software is not only developed but distributed for different purposes such as instructional, learning, calculation, entertainment, and assessment purposes.

Before one can start a software company, there are basic things that one needs such as a knowledge of programming, technical support skills, the necessary experience at managing a company and funds. However, before starting a software development business, it would be best to conduct a thorough market research of the industry

1. Industry Overview

The software development industry has grown in the space of a century from an almost on-existent industry to one that is not only a billion dollar industry but an indispensible one, especially as software form the basis of modern gadgets and devices.

Between 2011 and 2016, this industry has been dynamic in growth, especially as there has been increasing demand from businesses and consumers, with more people spending their discretionary income on products such as video games.

The industry is being said to generate $205 billion and has a projected annual income of 3% from 2011 to 2016. There are more than 8,500 software development businesses in the united states of America that employs more than 455,000 people.

Globally as at 2013, according to Gartner, the software revenue was $407.3 billion which was a 4.8% increase from the #388.5 billion registered in 2012. The industry according to Forrester was projected to be the fastest growing in 2014 with a growth pegged at 7.1%.

The software development industry has room for growth as there is considerable demand in this industry with more businesses adopting software programs that will allow for improved efficiency and lower operating costs; this was so as to look for ways to not be affected by the economic downturn.

Cloud computing capabilities have created several advances for companies who have realized the positive effect of virtual offices and the savings implications for the company. This technology has helped companies to not only reduce overhead but increase productivity as well.

Another plus for companies are virtualizations which not only allow them to eliminate several server farms but has made IT infrastructure more economical and flexible while slashing operating costs.

There are moderate barriers for new businesses that wish to enter this industry; however, certain product segments have a higher barrier than others. One common thing in this industry is patents which serve as a means of limiting competition, even though some companies willingly license their patented technology.

2. Executive Summary

Doodle Tech Inc. is a leading software development business that is based in Market Street, Suite 800, San Francisco – California, USA. We are in business to develop software for general purposes and for specific purposes to our various clients. We have in place training services and we also offer technical support in line with our business.

Our location is very strategic in the sense that we are close to manufacturing firms as well as technology giants and other big businesses here in California that will ensure that we have an edge over other software companies in other parts of California.

We are in business to not only make profit but to also compete favorably against other software development companies in the industry and attain our vision of being the preferred software development company for clients all over the United States of America.

We intend to ensure that we demonstrate fair business ethics in every point of our business. We hold ourselves accountable for our high standards and ensure that all our employees are not only attuned to but display this standards at all times in order to positively promote the company.

As a result of this, we are willing to go the extra mile by putting in structures, processes and planes in place to ensure that we get the best professionals who not only have the expertise but are also competent and know how to take our company from where we are to where we intend to be.

Our employees have welfare packages that are currently amongst the best in the whole industry amongst similar start-ups such as ours. We have also provided a conducive environment for all our employees in order to ensure that they remain productive at all times in order to improve the bottom line of the company.

We offer excellent customer services that have been known to retain a high number of our clients. All our customer service executives have been trained to know how to respond to customers and are also updated as regards the industry trends in order to ensure that reliable information is passed to our clients.

Finally, the expertise of both our owners, Jack Taylor and Christopher Warden in software development and business management is a great plus as both are not only Harvard graduates but also have more than 30 years of combined experience that will ensure that Doodle Tech Inc. attains its goals and objectives in time.

3. Our Products and Services

Doodle Tech Inc. intends to deal in several services whilst also generating revenue that would boost our bottom line tremendously. These several services will be added to our core service and should keep us favorably disposed to compete against our competitors.

We however intend to ensure that all our multiple sources of income which include training and technical support are in line with what is obtainable in the industry and accordingly to the laws of the United States of America. Therefore some of the services and products we will engage in are;

• Developing of software according to clients’ specifications
• Sale of software
• Offering of subscriptions for our software
• Charging of license fees for our software
• Charging by transaction
• Advertisements on our software
• Training services
• Technical support

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision at Doodle Tech Inc. is to be distinct from other software development companies by creating software that suits the diverse needs of our end users, and to be the preferred software firm for users in the United States of America.
• In order to achieve our vision, we have on hand the best software developers that will ensure that we attain our goal of being the preferred software company and in meeting all the diverse software needs of our customers here in the United States of America.

Our Business Structure

We know how important it is to have the right business structure for our software development company as getting it right from the start will eliminate most hitches that will crop up relating to our structure during the course of running the business. For this purpose, we intend to hire only competent and professionals in the available positions in our company.

Due also to the fact that we intend to run a wide range of services, we intend to ensure that we employ those that are capable of filling in these different positions. All our employees are those who understand the industry well and who are attuned with our vision and are committed to ensuring that we attain these goals and objectives.

We are also prepared to ensure that our workers are well paid and have welfare packages that are the best in similar categories across start-ups such as ours in the industry. We will also ensure that the working environment is not only conducive but is one that will enhance their skills and make them more productive.

Below is the intended business structure for Doodle Tech Inc.;

Chief Executive Officer

Software Development Manager

Business Development Manager

Human Resources and Admin Manager

Customer Service Executives

Marketing Executives

Security Guard

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop overall policies that would provide the right direction for the company
• Ensures that strategies are implemented and weak strategies are removed
• Meets and negotiate with high powered clients on behalf of the company
• Ensures that new software is developed and tested for bugs before being released to the public
• Develops new software for existing software so that clients can upgrade without running into hitches
• Carries out constant tests on software released to find out weak points and work on it.
• Researches on new businesses that will generate more revenue for the company
• Reviews company’s current products and services and decides how to make them better
• Works with the software development manager to give feedback on what the market trends are
• Prepares the budget on behalf of the firm and liaises with the owners to ensure that budget is reviewed and correctly implemented
• Prepares all the financial information and statement on behalf of the firm
• Ensures that tax is prepared and filed correctly to the correct authorities
• Ensures that the company’s books balances with that of the bank at the end of every month and accounting period
• Ensures that the right employees are recruited on behalf of the company
• Carries out orientation and ensures that employees are assigned the right tasks for their responsibilities
• Ensures that all the administrative functions of the company are performed smoothly without any hitches
• Ensures that all customers enquiries as well as complaints are well attended to and promptly resolved
• Keeps an accurate customer database on behalf of the company and ensures that it is regularly updated
• Carries out other duties as determined by the human resources and admin manager
• Conducts a marketing research on the software development industry to identify new markets for Doodle Tech Inc.
• Drafts strategies and reviews weak strategies to ensure that ineffective ones are removed
• Conducts direct marketing on behalf of the firm
• Meets and negotiates with high level clients on behalf of the firm
• Ensures that the premises and all the properties are secured after work hours by conducting patrols
• Monitors the surveillance cameras in line with securing people and property of Doodle Tech Inc.
• Keeps updated about the security information in the locality and pass along important security tips to staff
• Ensures that the premises is kept clean before work resumes
• Keeps the staff and guest conveniences clean at all times
• Ensures that cleaning supplies are always in stock
• Carries out any other duties as directed by the admin manager

6. SWOT Analysis

In order to determine if we were engaging in the right concept for our business, we hired the services of brand consultants who were not only reputable but the best here in San Francisco – California to let us know if it was worthwhile going into the business now.

The business consultants took a deep look at our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to allow the know what we were likely to face starting and running our business here in San Francisco – California, and in the United States of America as a whole. The results of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on our behalf are as follows;

Our strengths are numerous and lie in the fact that we have the right business structure that will ensure that we conquer this industry. Our software developers are the best there is and have the expertise and experience to enable us attain our goals and objectives.

We are also involved in ensuring that our software pass through quality process, reason we have external testers who run several tests on any of our software before it is released. Finally, our owners have the necessary experience that would make our being at the top a piece of cake, as both have more than 30 years experience in the software industry both as developers and in managerial positions.

There are few weaknesses that we identified for Doodle Tech Inc. and they include the fact that we were going to develop software that were not really different from what our competitors were offering. Also, there is the other fact that we are located in an area where there are other software companies, making our location a bit saturated.

We are however confident that we would be able to battle whatever weaknesses might crop up during the course of running or starting the business.

• Opportunities

There are so many opportunities available to us as there are new market segments that we have identified which would likely generate money for us. There are so many strategic alliances which we would engage in so as to have a foot into other target markets and generate more revenue for our bottom line.

We also have the opportunity of moving into the international market as our software is such that has no boundary limits. Finally, we would fully tap into the internet in order to promote and increase awareness for our brand.

Threats are external factors that cannot be controlled by a business; however any serious business should not only be prepared for threats but also have ways by which these threats will not be allowed to totally affect the business.

Some of the threats we would likely face at Doodle Tech Inc. are; the arrival of a new competitor into our location, engaging in price wars with competitors, dealing with government policies that might have an effect on our industry. We are fully prepared for any threats we are likely to face, as we have strategies on ground to battle such threats.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The trend in the software industry is that most software firms or companies are located in clusters in identifiable locations. This is due to certain facts such as these companies wanting to be close for competitive and industry purposes and also most software companies depend on one another to be able to carry out certain functions or complete certain specific tasks for clients.

This does not however mean that there aren’t software companies in other locations or that software companies in these other locations cant still get jobs done. To however remain relevant, software companies must always remain innovative and unique in their offerings and services. Another trend with software companies is in its publicity and promotion activities.

To be able to attract the much needed awareness and also attract clients that would pay money for the firms’ products, software companies have engaged in strong promotional activities either by hiring brand consultants or getting an in-house team or deploying both methods to draft the strategies that would enable it be recognized in the industry. Intense promotional activities will also help in getting a huge share of the market.

Lastly, software cannot work without any device and so goes hand in hand with new or existing technology; which is why most software companies try to partner with technology firms so as to create new software or upgrade existing software for these firms. This goes to show that software industry is dependent on the technology and manufacturing industry in order to survive or thrive.

8. Our Target Market

Almost everyone makes use of software and have either bought directly from the developers or indirectly via owning a device. This means that the target market for any software development company is wide. We however have mapped out a strategy that would allow us gain a vital share of the target market.

One of our first strategies is in conducting a thorough market research that would enable us understand the market we are to go into and know what they expect from us and what our obligations are towards them. The result of the market research of the market research showed that we were in business to develop software or offer other kinds of related services to the following people;

• Corporate organizations
• entertainment industry
• Educational institutions
• Accounting firms
• Financial institutions
• Small businesses
• Agricultural sector
• Military and defense sector
• Other software companies

Our competitive advantage

Just like any other business that is established to make profit, we hope to be able to compete favorably against our competitors in the same industry. Our vision is to be the preferred software development company for our clients all over the United States of America and to achieve this, we intend to come up with competitive strategies that would enable us attain our goals and objectives.

We intend to ensure that the software developed for general purposes will come in different categories that will be convenient for all our users.

We have assembled a high team of software developers as well as management team who are not only highly experienced and who understand how to handle a start-up and make it become a force to be reckoned with nationally. Our staffs are also attuned to our core values and principles and understand the importance of projecting the image of the company positively to our customers – potential and existing.

Another competitive advantage that we have to our favor is our excellent customer service culture which is already resounding across the industry as one of the best of start-ups of our size. Our customer executives are highly trained and are always updated on industry trends so as to be able to give our customers the correct information at all times.

Finally, because we know how important it is for our employees to be happy always, we are committed to treating them right. Our management team has a stake in the company’s profits and our lower cadre employees have incentives built into their welfare packages. All this is to enable our employees remain happy and productive.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Doodle Tech Inc. just like any other business has been established with the aim of generating revenue and making profit in the technology and software industry, and we are going to ensure that we make software that will help us accomplish this purpose, as well as engage in other services as well.

Doodle Tech Inc. therefore intends to generate income by engaging in the following services;

10. Sales Forecast

The software industry has come to stay and can only keep evolving into something bigger and stronger, as there will always be gadgets, devices and templates that would require the use of a new software or an upgrade.

Our strategic location in San Francisco – California has afforded us the opportunity to be close to many technological giants and businesses and this will see us generating and meeting our set revenue in no time, thereby growing our business tremendously.

After conducting a thorough analysis on the software industry and analyzing our chances in the industry, we were able to come up with a sales forecast that has shown strong positives in how we are likely to far in the market.

The sales projections were based on several assumptions and facts garnered across similar start-ups in the industry and across the United States of America as a whole. Therefore, the sales projection that Doodle Tech Inc. conducted to analyze its chances are as follows;

• First Fiscal Year-: $400,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $800,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $1,600,000

N.B : The above sales projections were done based on major assumptions that some factors that were used in making these assumptions would remain the same. However, should there be any change either positively or negatively, it would likely increase or decrease the above figures.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Marketing is a very important aspect of any business because it is not only a way to generate revenue for a business; it is also a way of garnering publicity to attract new customers whilst retaining the old ones. Every business no matter its level or life cycle of needs marketing in order to thrive, which is why any entrepreneur or business person starting or running a business usually sets money aside for marketing.

Asides creating funds for marketing, it is also important to ensure that effective strategies are created. Creating effective marketing strategies are essential as they would ensure that the funds are channeled the right way. In marketing Doodle Tech Inc., we would ensure that we leverage on all conventional and unconventional means of making sure that our brand and products are marketed to all our existing and potential customers.

We would conduct a market survey that would allow us understand the right strategies to draft and how effective they would be depending on the target market. To conduct a thorough market survey, we would make use of accurate available data so that we would be effectively able to compete with all our competitors all over the United States of America.

We also intend to hire a reputable marketing consultant who should be able to draft the right marketing strategies that would allow Doodle Tech Inc. penetrate the market. Also, our marketing team would be empowered in ensuring that the marketing strategies created are in tune with our corporate goals and objectives as a business.

Therefore, the following are the marketing strategies we hope to adopt at Doodle Tech Inc. in order to sell our products and services;

• Ensure that we introduce our software development business by sending out introductory letters to technology and manufacturing companies as well as other big software companies and other stakeholders in the industry.
• Network with other software companies by attending software developer conferences
• Advertise our software development business in local newspapers, technology related magazines, and in local radio and television stations
• Ensure that Doodle Tech Inc. is listed in online and offline directories
• Engage in direct marketing and sales
• Ensure that we are actively involved in forums and blogs in marketing our company

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Carrying out the right publicity and advertisement for our software development business is very essential as it is not enough to just penetrate the market and also create awareness, but to ensure that the strategy will result in Doodle Tech Inc.’s products becoming generic terms for similar products in the same category.

Due to this vision, we have hired a reputable publicity consultant who has the industry knowledge and expertise and who will help in ensuring that our company gets to the top by drafting out strategies that are in line with the core policies of the company and will boost our brand and allow us compete favorably against our competitors.

Below are some of the platforms we intend to leverage on in order to promote Doodle Tech Inc.;

• Develop a free version of our software and give users an opportunity to upgrade at a cost
• Leverage on relevant social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Google Hangout and other developers’ forum in order to create awareness about Doodle Tech Inc.
• Engage in pay per click advertisement on popular software development forums
• Create contests on social media and via our website to generate more publicity
• Distribute our handbills and fliers in strategic locations
• Install our flexi banners in conspicuous and strategic locations all over San Francisco

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Determining the right price for our various software’s will depend on a number of factors, such as how much the market will willingly pay for such software, how much that category of software is being charged for by competitors, and how unique the software is. Other factors that will determine the prices are if we intend to charge a licensing fee for our software, or enable a pay per transaction or a subscription that is time-limited for the end user.

In view of all the above based factors, we will offer our software at prices that are at the prevailing market conditions. However, because this is a competitive market, we will however lower our prices in the first two months of business so as to attract more customers to our business, and also increase the awareness for our products.

• Payment Options

Doodle Tech Inc. realizes that due to improving technology, customers now have different payment options that they can use in paying for services; and so we have different payment policy that is intended to suit all our different customers and their diverse needs.

The payment options we have for our clients are;

• Cash payment
• Payment via check
• Payment via online payment portal
• Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
• Payment via credit card

The above payment platforms were carefully chosen for us by our bank and we have been told that our customers will not experience any hitches or inconvenience whilst using the above platforms.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

Even though some of the equipment that can be used to start and run a software development company can be gotten for fairly used, thereby lowering the costs of start-up, it will however be vital to stress that setting up a standard software development company would require the equipment used to be standard so as to be able to withstand the heavy workload that it might have to carry out.

Also, the bulk of capital in these circumstances usually goes to paying workers and utility bills that the business will incur during the course of its operation. Therefore, the key areas where we intend to spend our start-up capital on are;

• Total fee for registering Doodle Tech Inc. in the United States of America – $750
• Licenses, permits as well as accounting software – $1250
• Insurance policy (general liability, workers’ compensation) – $2,000
• Leasing and renovating of a facility for use for at least a year – $20,000
• Cost of hiring a business consultant – $2,000
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees and payment of bills) – $200,000
• Other start-up expenses which includes (windows hosting, Linux hosting, bug tracking, graphics design, software subscription and cable broadband) – $15,000
• Marketing promotion expenses (general marketing expenses and promotion activities for grand opening ceremony) – $5,000
• Administrative expenses (stationeries, phone, computers, printers, furniture business cards, office supplies, and stamps)  – $10,000
• Cost of purchasing an official vehicle – $30,000
• Cost of launching a website – $1,000
• Cost of throwing a grand opening party – $5,000
• Miscellaneous – $8,000

From the following report, we would need an estimate of $300,000 to be able to start and successfully set up a software development company in San Francisco – California. IT should be noted the bulk of the capital (90%) went towards payment of salaries for employees for a period of three months.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Doodle Tech Inc. Business

Doodle Tech Inc. is a business owned by two geeks and businessmen, Jack Taylor and Christopher Warden. We realize our financing is important for our company if we intend to successfully start, run and become a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

We are however going to be careful in where we source for money so as not to lose a part of our company or get locked in repaying a loan that might hinder the progress of our company. This is why we have decided to limit our sources for income to just 5 sources; The following are sources where we intend to get our start-up capital from;

• Generate part capital from our personal savings and sale of stocks
• Get soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for research grants at the state and federal level
• Source for part capital from online crowdfunding sites like kick starter
• Apply for loan from commercial bank

N.B: from our personal savings and the sale of some of our stocks, we were able to generate the sum of $30,000. The soft loans from our family members and friends amounted to $20,000. We applied for a grant of $50,000 at the state level and have been considered.

We were able to generate the sum of $70,000 from sourcing for funds from kick starter, and we are at the final stages of getting our loan of $130,000 approved for us by the bank. All the necessary documents have been signed and we have been assured by our banker that the amount will soon be credited to our account within two weeks.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

Doodle Tech Inc. is established with the aim of making profit and competing amongst others here in the software industry. We are however concerned about the future of our company and so we intend to ensure that we deploy sustainability and expansion strategies so as to keep our business running for a long time.

One of the sustainability strategies which we intend to deploy is in having the right business structure on ground. This we intend to do by hiring competent and professional employees to handle the various tasks that we will assign to them.

We will employ those who understand what businesses such as ours will need to thrive in the industry and the know-how to ensure that we attain our desired goals and objectives. Our employees will not only be well paid and have attractive incentives, they will also continually be trained so that their skills would be enhanced thereby increasing productivity for the company.

We would draft effective publicity and promotional strategies that would ensure that the awareness for our brand and its products are increased to potential and even existing customers. Our promotional efforts will be geared into ensuring that our brand is positively communicated to even our rivals in the industry.

Most of our publicity strategies would be geared towards the millenials by throwing up contests especially on social media as these have the potential to ensure that awareness about our brand is effectively spread even to the baby boomers.

Finally, we take our customers very seriously and to this effect we intend to ensure that we have effective customer service programs which will see our loyal customers getting incentives.

We also would ensure that we attend to all customer enquiries whilst also making sure that all their complaints are resolved speedily depending on the problem. We know that if we carry out these strategies effectively, we would not only push forth our brand but also sustain our business whilst also expanding it at our own pace.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting feasibility studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – wholesale suppliers / merchants: In Progress
• Purchase of trucks: Completed

More on Technology

Software Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Software Company Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Software Company business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create software business plans and many have used them to start or grow their software companies.

Below is a software business plan template to help you create each section of your own Software Company business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

SimpleBooks Inc. is a new accounting software company located in Seattle, Washington. We produce an accounting product that helps small and medium-sized businesses with all of their accounting tasks. Some of these features we provide in our software include bookkeeping, tracking cash flow, reconciling bank accounts, and creating/managing financial reports.

SimpleBooks Inc. is founded by Edward Jameson, who has been a developer for 20 years. He created this software based on the complaints that his wife had of the accounting software she was using. He initially created the software to help his wife’s business but decided to expand the product and sell it to other local small and medium-sized businesses with similar accounting needs.

Product Offering

SimpleBooks Inc. produces accounting software that helps small and medium-sized businesses with all their accounting needs. We offer an extensive list of features, including the following:

• Bookkeeping
• Reconciling bank accounts
• Cash flow tracking and management
• Accounts receivable
• Income and expenses tracking
• Invoice and payment processing
• Mileage tracking
• Receipt capture
• Bill management
• Tax deductions
• Inventory management
• Employee expenses tracking
• Business analytics
• Project profitability
• Time tracking
• Financial report generation

Customer Focus

SimpleBooks Inc. will primarily target businesses in the Seattle, Washington area. The software is designed for smaller businesses, so most of our clientele will include businesses with less than 500 employees.

Management Team

SimpleBooks Inc. is founded by Edward Jameson, who has been a developer for 20 years. He has substantial experience creating software for large companies and has been very successful in his career. He initially built the company’s accounting software to help his wife’s business, but decided to expand the product and sell it to other small businesses in the area.

Success Factors

SimpleBooks Inc. will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Edward Jameson has been extremely successful working in the software industry and will be able to use experience to create the best products for our target market.
• Edward knows many of the local leaders, business managers, and other influencers within Seattle, Washington and will use those connections to establish an initial clientbase.
• SimpleBooks Inc.’s products are designed with small businesses in mind and will be curated to help the particular accounting needs of this target demographic.

Financial Highlights

SimpleBooks Inc. is seeking a total funding of $500,000 of debt capital to launch. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office design/build: $100,000
• Software development: $150,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $50,000
• Working capital: $50,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for SimpleBooks Inc.:

Company Overview

Who is simplebooks inc..

SimpleBooks Inc. is a new accounting software company located in Seattle, Washington. We produce an accounting software product that helps small and medium-sized businesses with all of their accounting tasks. We offer three tiers of features. Our basic tier only offers basic accounting functions while our advanced tier offers an extensive list of features for larger and more complex businesses. Some of these features include bookkeeping, tracking cash flow, reconciling bank accounts, and creating/managing financial reports.

  SimpleBooks Inc. is founded by Edward Jameson, who has been a developer for 20 years. His wife is an accountant who was very unhappy with other accounting software products. Other accounting software can be overwhelming to use, unintuitive, and are geared toward large organizations and enterprises. Edward knew of her complaints and developed an accounting software geared towards her small business. Edward’s wife has been successfully using the software for nearly a year, so Edward is confident that this product can help other small and medium-sized businesses with similar accounting needs.

SimpleBooks Inc.’s History

After developing the software for his wife’s company, Edward Jameson did a thorough market analysis to see how well his software would do if he sold it to other local small businesses. Once his market analysis was complete, Edward incorporated SimpleBooks Inc. as an S corporation.

Since incorporation, the company has achieved the following milestones:

• Located a potential office space and signed a Letter of Intent to lease it
• Developed the company’s name, logo, and website
• Determined equipment and necessary supplies
• Began recruiting key employees

SimpleBooks Inc.’s Services

SimpleBooks Inc. produces accounting software that helps small and medium-sized businesses with all their accounting needs. Clients interested in our software can purchase one of three plans: basic, intermediate, or advanced. Our most basic plan will offer just the essential bookkeeping and accounting functions that most businesses need and only allow up to three users per account. Our intermediate plan will offer more features and allow up to seven users per account. Our most advanced plan will offer an extensive suite of accounting features and allow up to twenty users per account. All plans are charged on a monthly basis, with our basic plan being the cheapest option and advanced option being the most expensive.

Some of the functions and features included in our software products include:

Industry Analysis

According to market research, the global software industry is expected to grow substantially over the next five years. Nearly every business uses some form of software to automate its processes and increase efficiency and accuracy. Therefore, demand remains high and the industry continues to grow and expand.

Business software includes project management software, communication software, customer relationship management software, and accounting software. Accounting software is particularly popular as it significantly improves accuracy and efficiency when handling all things related to accounting. Good accounting software can help a business keep detailed tracking of all its finances, and prevent a business from bleeding money or losing track of funds.

Business software companies can succeed by providing competitive features, multiple plans and products, and keeping their products affordable. They will also succeed if they can make products that work for both small businesses and large enterprises. A company that can provide this type of software will remain competitive in the global market and see rising demand from its clientele.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

SimpleBooks Inc. will primarily target businesses in the Seattle, Washington area. The software is designed for smaller businesses, so most of our clientele will include solopreneurs, small businesses, and medium businesses with less than 500 employees. We hope to eventually branch out and serve clients located beyond the Seattle area.

Customer Segmentation

SimpleBooks Inc. will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Solopreneurs
• Small businesses
• Medium-sized businesses

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

SimpleBooks Inc. will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting programs out there. It provides businesses with everything a business needs for its accounting department, including tracking income and expenses, managing cash flow, and helping with taxes. Clients can choose one of four monthly plans depending on the features they need and how large their accounting department is. Plans are charged on a monthly basis and include quick and helpful support and app integration.

Xero is a powerful accounting software for companies of all sizes. Clients who have Xero can pay bills, manage payroll, claim expenses, send invoices, and track inventory. They offer three tiers to choose from, including a very affordable basic plan and other plans that offer extensive features. They also provide specialized features for small businesses and for businesses in particular industries.

Freshbooks is a popular accounting software with businesses of all sizes in mind. They offer numerous features that vary depending on if you are a freelancer, a business with contractors, or a business with employees. Some of these features include managing expenses and receipts, tracking mileage and time, invoicing, and generating financial reports. They offer three tiers of plans but also create custom plans for businesses with complex and unique accounting needs.

Competitive Advantage

SimpleBooks Inc. will be able to offer the following advantages over the competition:

• Management: Edward Jameson has been extremely successful working in the software industry and will be able to use his previous experience to create the best products and experience for his clients. His unique qualifications will serve customers in a much more sophisticated manner than SimpleBooks Inc.’s competitors.
• Relationships: Edward knows many of the local leaders, business managers, and other influencers within Seattle, Washington. With his 10 years of experience and good relationships with business leaders in the area, he will be able to develop an initial client base.
• Small business focus: While our competitors do offer features for small and medium sized businesses, their products are designed with large enterprises in mind. This can make their products feel overwhelming and unintuitive. SimpleBooks Inc.’s products are designed specifically for small and medium businesses with fewer than 500 employees.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

SimpleBooks Inc. will offer a unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Service built on long-term relationships
• A focus on helping small businesses succeed
• Affordable pricing
• Excellent customer service

Promotions Strategy

The marketing strategy for SimpleBooks Inc. is as follows:

Referral Marketing

SimpleBooks Inc. will invest heavily in a social media advertising campaign. Edward will create the company’s social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. He will use targeted marketing to appeal to the target demographics.

Social Media SimpleBooks Inc. will invest heavily in a social media advertising campaign. Edward will create the company’s social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. He will use targeted marketing to appeal to the target demographics.

Website/SEO

SimpleBooks Inc. will invest in developing a professional website that displays all of the features of our accounting software. It will also invest heavily in SEO so that the brand’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Direct Mail

SimpleBooks Inc. will blanket businesses with direct mail pieces. These pieces will provide general information on SimpleBooks Inc., offer discounts, and/or provide other incentives for companies to try out our accounting software.

SimpleBooks Inc.’s pricing will be on par with competitors so clients feel they receive great value when purchasing our software.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for SimpleBooks Inc.: Operation Functions:

• Edward Jameson will be the Owner and CEO of the company. He will oversee all the operations and executive functions of the company. In the beginning, he will also provide customer support and development support until he hires several other developers and customer support professionals.
• Edward will employ an experienced assistant to help with various administrative duties around the office.
• Edward will also hire several developers to develop, improve, and maintain the company’s software products.
• Edward will also hire a solid sales team to sell our products to potential clients. As the company grows, he will also hire a team that is solely dedicated to customer service.

Milestones:

SimpleBooks Inc. will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 5/2023 – Finalize lease agreement
• 6/2023 – Design and build out SimpleBooks Inc.
• 7/2023 – Hire and train initial staff
• 8/2023 – Kickoff of promotional campaign
• 9/2023 – Launch SimpleBooks Inc.
• 10/2023 – Reach break-even

SimpleBooks Inc. is founded by Edward Jameson, who has been a developer for 20 years. His wife is an accountant who was very unhappy with other accounting software products. Other accounting software can be overwhelming to use, unintuitive, and are geared toward large organizations and enterprises. Edward knew of her complaints and developed an accounting software geared towards her small business. Edward’s wife has been successfully using the software for nearly a year, so Edward is confident that this product can help other small and medium-sized businesses with similar accounting needs.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The key revenues for SimpleBooks Inc. will come from the monthly fees that are charged to clients for using the software. There are three tiers that clients can choose from. The option that each client chooses will determine how much revenue the company makes.

The major cost drivers for the company include the lease, salaries, overhead, development costs, and marketing expenses.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

SimpleBooks Inc. is seeking a total funding of $500,000 of debt capital to launch. The funding will be dedicated to office design, software development, marketing, and working capital. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of clients:
• Annual rent: $30,000

Financial Projections

Income statement.

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Software Company Business Plan FAQs

What is a software company business plan.

A software company business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your software company business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Software Company business plan using our Software Company Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Software Company Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of software company businesses , some examples include: Open source, Client-specific, Programming services, and System services.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Software Company Business Plan?

Software Company businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Software Company Business?

Starting a software company business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Software Company Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed software company business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your software company business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your software company business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Software Company Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your software company business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your software company business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Software Company Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your software company business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your software company business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful software company business:

• How to Start a Software Company Business

How to Start a Profitable Software Development Business [11 Steps]

Business steps:, 1. perform market analysis..

Starting a software development business requires a thorough understanding of the current market landscape. This involves analyzing market trends, understanding customer needs, and identifying potential competitors. Here are the key steps to perform a comprehensive market analysis:

Are Software Development businesses profitable?

2. draft a software development business plan..

Embarking on the journey of starting a software development business requires meticulous planning and strategic foresight. Crafting a comprehensive business plan is a critical step to align your vision, set clear objectives, and pave the way for successful operations. Consider these essential components when drafting your business plan:

How does a Software Development business make money?

3. develop a software development brand., how to come up with a name for your software development business.

When coming up with a name for a software development business, it's important to select something that accurately represents the work you do. Consider using the words software, development, or engineering in the title to make the purpose of the business clear. Additionally, selecting a name that is unique, memorable, and easy to spell will make it easier for potential customers to find your business. Lastly, make sure to research the name online to ensure that no other similar businesses already exist.

4. Formalize your business registration.

Resources to help get you started:.

Explore crucial resources specifically for software development entrepreneurs, offering insights on market trends, operational best practices, and strategic growth advice:

5. Acquire necessary licenses and permits for software development.

When embarking on the journey of starting a software development business, it's essential to ensure that all legal bases are covered. This includes obtaining the necessary licenses and permits to operate legally and protect your intellectual property. Below are the steps to guide you through this critical phase:

What licenses and permits are needed to run a software development business?

6. open a business bank account and secure funding as needed., 7. set pricing for software development services., what does it cost to start a software development business.

Initiating a software development business can involve substantial financial commitment, the scale of which is significantly influenced by factors such as geographical location, market dynamics, and operational expenses, among others. Nonetheless, our extensive research and hands-on experience have revealed an estimated starting cost of approximately $$22,500 (first month) for launching such an business. Please note, not all of these costs may be necessary to start up your software development business.

8. Acquire software development equipment and supplies.

Starting a software development business requires the right equipment and supplies to ensure your team can work efficiently and effectively. From high-performance computers to agile project management tools, investing in quality resources is essential. Here's a list of items you might need to acquire:

List of Software, Tools and Supplies Needed to Start a Software Development Business:

9. obtain business insurance for software development, if required..

Securing the right business insurance is crucial for protecting your software development business against unforeseen risks and liabilities. It can safeguard your assets, cover legal costs, and provide peace of mind as you focus on growing your enterprise. Here are the key steps to obtaining business insurance:

10. Begin marketing your software development services.

Now that your software development business is ready to take on clients, it's crucial to establish a strong marketing strategy to attract the right audience. Effective marketing of your services will help you stand out in a competitive market and connect with potential clients who are in need of your expertise. Here are some key points to guide you in marketing your software development services:

11. Expand your software development business.

As your software development business grows, it's crucial to focus on expansion to stay competitive and meet increasing client demands. Here are several strategies to help scale your business effectively:

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10 Free Software Development Plan Templates to Use in 2024

Praburam Srinivasan

Growth Marketing Manager

February 14, 2024

All software developers and software project managers know that without effective project management, even the best software idea won’t fulfill its promise.

Project management and software development , of course, can be complex. Any chance you take to make it a little more efficient is welcome.

Enter software development templates.

They won’t replace the actual development and coding work your software development teams do. But with the right templates, those essential functions can take center stage and ease the burden on project managers.

The result is better software and a higher chance of completing software projects on time and on budget.

What is a Software Development Template?

What makes a good software development template, 1. clickup software development plan template, 2. clickup impact effort matrix template, 3. clickup product roadmap template, 4. clickup software change log template, 5. clickup software comparison template, 6. clickup app development plan template, 7. clickup development schedule template, 8. clickup app scope outline template, 9. clickup product requirements template, 10. clickup agile project management template.

A software development template is one of the best solutions to efficiently streamline all the tasks and organizational pieces of the software development process, using a standard outline to organize key details, systems, software features, and other project requirements .

This allows your engineering and software teams to focus on the in-depth work and decision-making that ultimately makes or breaks the end product. It’s also key for project managers and product managers to stay on top of their project management.

Software development templates focus on the larger development plan. They might include collaborative documentation and instructions covering:

• Building and updating your project schedule
• Tracking project management key performance indicators
• Prioritizing certain solutions and to-dos over others
• Measuring the overall roadmap, including product scope and requirements
• Efficiently covering the process, documentation, and technology requirements across many teams

Beyond their individual function, software development templates also keep your team and external stakeholders in the loop on the project’s bigger picture.

Even though their specific function may differ, all great software development templates share a few commonalities for project managers to better manage projects:

• They’re easy to implement : Whether they integrate with your project management software or productivity tool, they should be easy to set up and use right away
• They’re easy to update and customize : Especially since agile development is fluid, you require dynamic templates that can evolve and change as projects move forward
• They focus on visuals : A visual focus makes the template more skimmable for viewers, providing a quick and easy collaborative overview of important touchpoints
• They’re easy to share with company stakeholders : Your systems should be easy to access to everyone, including those not part of the core team, to help all stakeholders better manage and communicate about all elements of your project
• They focus on accomplishing a clear goal : Whether it’s project prioritization or technology scope planning, the template should master its core purpose

Finally, the right templates simplify the software project development process, which is possibly the most important feature. Using these solutions should not complicate things but allow a greater focus on the software phases.

10 Software Development Templates for Project Managers

Flexibility is the calling card of all modern software development. So it shouldn’t be surprising that no two software development plan templates are exactly the same. The best solutions to manage projects are those that are tailored to your specific needs and goals, helping with the finer details of your next software sprint.

Look no further if you’re searching for a single template to solve many needs. The ClickUp Software Development Template breaks down the core components from strategy, planning, and roadmapping, to user research, sprint management, and release tracking.

Here are the features and prebuilt processes the template includes:

• A product roadmap
• A weekly task execution list to generate code with AI , fix errors, or evaluate team bandwidth
• A master backlog of tasks still waiting for completion
• A master defects list to gather and manage bugs, security incidents, and issues to solve
• Template tasks for user research
• Prebuilt task lists for sprints and Kanban development processes
• Test scenarios and cases your developers can execute for quality assurance
• Tech support tasks for reporting bugs, reviewing known bug incidents, and listing current workarounds

Software development is a constant give and take of figuring out where to focus your efforts and resources. The ClickUp Impact Effort Matrix Template can help you simplify that process.

It’s a simple structure that rates all to-dos on a two-dimensional scale of effort and impact. Low-effort and high-impact tasks are low-hanging fruit, whereas you probably don’t have to worry about high-effort and low-impact tasks. Regardless, it’s all available in a single view, helping you and your team to focus and prioritize the necessary steps and when to achieve them.

Using the actual template is simple. Add tasks to the Whiteboard, and rate them according to both impact and effort. Place them in the appropriate quadrant, and the overview is complete.

From there, it’s just a matter of keeping your impact effort matrix up to date as the development project progresses. At regular checkpoints with your team, you can quickly remove complete tasks and add new ones coming up.

The software you build needs a roadmap showing how you go from ideation to the final product. And when you’re looking to build that map, a few templates are better than the  Product Roadmap Template by ClickUp .

The core of this template is the map itself. It’s where you outline exactly how you get from points A, B, and C.

Narrow down your overall project into weekly execution charts showing the immediate tasks needed to keep the project on track, and capture any release notes you want to communicate with internal and external stakeholders. You can even build and share product workflows to make sure everyone knows how their tasks align with others.

Add this product roadmap template to your process mapping tool , and it will surprise you how straightforward your development project management becomes.

Iteration is the name of the game, especially once you get past your minimum viable product. That means part of your project documentation has to include keeping track of the changes you’re making to the next iteration.

Enter the Software Change Log Template by ClickUp .

This simple Doc will become your go-to resource for any project. Describe the change that needs to happen, the date of discovery, add a priority level, and assign a task owner. Not only can you keep track of the process to solve it, but you’ll also keep a constant overview of everything in chronological order that needs fixing before the software moves to the next stage.

This  Software Comparison Template by ClickUp is built for more general decision-making than just software development. But applied correctly, it can still be valuable to numerous use cases.

The core of the template helps outline comparisons between different software tools. Fields like customer rating, price, design software, and features give an easy overview of the options that might make sense for engineering teams at a given time.

One way you can use it is for competitive analysis. This involves assessing various alternatives that cater to similar audience needs in order to identify a gap that your new solution could fill.

Discovering your product’s niche can guide your software development team in creating features that meet the expectations of your target audience and help your software stand out among competitors.

Mobile app development is a special type of software development with plenty of unique nuances and considerations. The  App Development Plan Template by ClickUp is built to plan and track your mobile app development.

The App Development Plan view allows you to build core tasks for every stage, from research to market launch. Milestones allow you to break up those processes into key accomplishments. The project’s Timeline and List views provide a more visual look at where things stand at any given time.

With much of the structure prebuilt, you can focus on the tasks your team needs to accomplish to achieve a great output.

Building a new software product that matches audience needs while filling a market gap is challenging, particularly when you work on a tight deadline and with limited resources. The ClickUp’s Development Schedule Template helps you stay on track, no matter how complex things get.

Define the core tasks in each product stage, assign a task owner, and update the task status in real time. Outline exactly when those tasks must begin and end for the software development project to stay on schedule. Track your estimated completion time for tasks and stages against your actual time to see where you won or lost within your timeline.

From there, you can expand beyond the List view. The Product Development Gantt Chart shows a quick overview, while the Product Development Stage and Activities views go deeper into the sectors required to get things done.

These views directly interact with each other, turning your development schedule into a single source of truth that every software development team member can refer to.

Developing your software or app solution depends in part on the project management structure you choose. One thing is clear regardless of your approach: the development process has to stay within scope; otherwise you’ll risk blowing the budget, timeline, or business goals you’ve established at the beginning of the software development.

The App Scope Outline Template by ClickUp looks to make that process simple. The one-page overview outlines the problem, the desired app experience, key objectives, business requirements, and more.

The best part about this template is that you can easily share it internally and externally. That means you can establish a common idea of scope with your client while also communicating that scope with your software development team, keeping everyone on track and moving in the right direction.

In theory, even the best software product matters little when it can’t fulfill the core requirements that were the reason for its build in practice. The  Product Requirements Template by ClickUp allows all stakeholders involved in the development process to come together to define these core needs so everyone stays on the same page throughout the build.

It starts with a simple name, description, and purpose of each feature included in the end product. You can track the defined release month and its progress status throughout the building stage. And you can identify the time frame for developing the feature and decide who will take core responsibility for it.

Looking for more advanced features? You can set priorities and add custom tags, fields, and even dependencies within the distinct features. That way, by the time the product is released, you can be sure that it meets all core requirements.

We finish this guide with a general template for agile tools that can naturally guide your software development process. The Agile Product Management Template by ClickUp prebuilds an iterative software development and project approach that allows you to quickly build, provide feedback, and pivot as needed throughout the process.

To start, you get multiple views. Reserve your List view for the epics, initiatives, and agile user stories. Move to the board for a Kanban organization of to-dos and the workload to identify potential bottlenecks or productivity opportunities. Finally, the mind map can turn a complex roadmap into simpler, actionable pieces.

And advanced users can benefit even further. ClickApps allow you to build sprints, milestones, and dependencies more quickly. Add custom progress status reports for in-progress tasks, and you have the perfect agile tool to create your development workflow.

Focus on What Matters Most With a Software Development Template

Beyond the coding, what’s the most significant variable contributing to successful software development?

Every developer probably answers this question in a slightly different way. But most of them will have themes around goal setting, prioritization, scoping, and resources.

Those are the most significant factors around the edges. And those are the exact factors the right software development plan template can solve for you.

That’s especially beneficial if the templates you use can integrate directly into your productivity tool . Now you don’t just have an overview; that overview directly connects with existing tasks, timelines, and reports.

And that’s where ClickUp comes in. We built our platform for developers, whether you need the features or the templates. Start a Workspace for free today !

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Software Developer Business Plan (Why You Need One & How to Write It)

Starting a software developer may sound like an easy thing to do. However, it's not the case since starting such a business involves a lot of things to settle. In general, there's so much more to starting a software developer that you need to have a business plan to be successful. Otherwise, you will end up being overwhelmed with so many things.

Now, if you're wondering about a business plan and how it's essential as you start your software developer, you've come to the right place!

A business plan for a software developer generally illustrates your goals, financial strategies, research, and everything else involved with your business. It contains the strategy for guiding and helping you start and run your business.

In this article, we'll talk more about the business plan for a software developer and every concern you may ask about, mainly how to write one.

Without further ado, let's get into it!

What is a software developer business plan?

A software developer business plan is a document that defines (in detail) a software developer' objectives and how it plans to achieve its goals.

For instance, a software developer typically needs an initial investment. As such, you need to include the said amount in your plan and how you can acquire such, either from your pocket or through a business loan or any other financing option (learn more about a software developer financing .

Profit and goal are other examples. It is also included in your business plan as a goal to achieve within a set period, usually within months.

Overall, the business plan is the document that lays out a written road map for the software developer from a marketing, financial, and operational standpoint. You should also have a basic idea about a software developer profitability .

Business plans are essential for startups and established businesses, and the software developer is no exception. Every business, regardless of the type, should have one.

Further, business plans are critical documents for internal and external audiences. For instance, you may use these plans to attract investors before establishing a track record. It can also help you secure loans from financial institutions.

Business plans can also help keep your software developer' leadership team on track for meeting established goals and on track with strategic action items.

Overall, business plans are particularly helpful for new businesses, including the software developer. Ideally, goals should be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect achievements or changes. When an established business changes direction, a new business plan is created.

Why do you need a software developer business plan?

You need a software developer business plan for several reasons. However, the main reasons are to help you establish your company, set the goals you want to achieve, and evaluate your software developer’ status after a specific timeframe.

As a general rule, your business plan serves as a guide. Revising and adjusting this plan may also be necessary as circumstances change throughout your actions.

You should know that if you plan to apply for a business loan (which any knowledgeable entrepreneur should do), lenders want to see a business plan.

For your software developer to succeed and meet your goals, you need a precise and robust business plan.

Learn more about starting a software developer :

Where to start?

-> How to finance a software developer? -> How much does it cost to start a software developer? -> Pros and cons of a software developer

Need inspiration?

-> Other software developer success stories -> Marketing ideas for a software developer -> Software developer slogans -> Software developer names -> Software developer Instagram captions

Other resources

-> Profitability of a software developer -> Software developer tips

How to write a software developer business plan?

When creating a business plan, you need to include more than just the steps on how you start. It also includes how you will sustain it and how you can develop it even further as you move forward. Simply put, it should include everything related to your software developer.

If you’re wondering how to write a business plan for your software developer, here are the things you need to include:

1. Executive summary

The executive summary in a business plan includes a gist of your entire software developer. Further, it includes the general reason why it will turn out successful.

2. Company description

The company description details every information about your software developer. As such, it includes your advantages over your potential competitors and the things that make your business stand out above other similar companies.

3. Organization and management

The organization and management are the part of your business plan that states the structure of your software developer.

It includes the entire staff, especially the ones who will run your software developer, whether you’re solo, with a partner, or with a group of people. Simply put, it shows what type of business you run and who is responsible for it.

4. Market analysis

The market analysis is the part of your business plan that shows your perspective on the industry where your software developer belongs.

Since it’s about marketing, it includes your target market or customers. Further, it includes your potential competitors since they can take away your potential customers.

5. Financial plan

The financial plan is the part that concerns everything related to your software developer finances. This document consists of a detailed financial statement and an analysis of your finances and the required funds .

6. Marketing strategy

The marketing strategy outlines the concerns about reaching out to potential customers . Moreover, it demonstrates how to expose the products and services your software developer offers.

Besides attracting customers, it also includes strategies for gaining new customers and keeping the regular ones from leaving. Finally, it outlines strategies for increasing sales for your software developer to grow.

What makes a good software developer business plan?

A good software developer business plan serves as a roadmap that outlines the strategies and actions required to achieve the goals and objectives of a business. It typically includes information about the business's products or services, target market, competition, marketing and sales strategies, operations, financial projections, and management team.

Here are some key elements that make up a good business plan:

• Executive summary : This is a brief overview of the entire business plan, summarizing the key points and objectives of the company.
• Company description : This section provides detailed information about software developer, including its history, mission statement, and legal structure.
• Market analysis : This section should describe the industry and market that software developer operates in, including target customers, competitors, and market trends.
• Products or services : This section should describe the products or services software developer offers, highlighting their unique features and benefits.
• Marketing and sales strategies : This section should detail the strategies that software developer will use to promote and sell its products or services, including pricing, distribution, and advertising.
• Operations : This section should outline the day-to-day operations of software developer, including manufacturing, production, and distribution.
• Financial projections : This section should provide detailed financial projections, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
• Management team : This section should introduce the key members of software developer's management team, highlighting their qualifications and experience.

Overall, a good software developer business plan should be well-researched, realistic, and focused on achieving specific goals and objectives. It should also be adaptable and able to evolve as the business grows and changes over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i write a software developer business plan myself.

Yes, you can write a software developer business plan yourself. It requires a clear understanding of your goals, target audience, competition, financial projections, and marketing strategy. Research successful plans and use templates. Ensure it's comprehensive, realistic and seek help if needed. Ultimately, a good business plan sets you up for success.

How long should a software developer business plan be?

There is no standard length for a software developer business plan. It can range from a one-page summary to a comprehensive document of 50+ pages. The length depends on the complexity of the business, audience, and purpose. A concise plan that covers key elements is often more effective than a lengthy one.

In a nutshell, creating a business plan for a software developer is a bit complicated, but you still need to do it.

Overall, a business plan will help you make the right calls, obtain the funding you need, and strongly start your new software developer. As such, you must make a robust and precise one.

The six parts we included above should be handy throughout this process. With this information, you can begin writing your business plan and see what it takes to become a professional entrepreneur.

• How Profitable Is A Software Developer? (Updated for 2024) 1 of 11
• How To Finance A Software Developer? [2024] 2 of 11
• 87 Marketing Ideas For A Software Developer (2024) 3 of 11
• 14 Software Developer Success Stories [2024] 4 of 11
• 14 Tips For Starting A Successful Software Developer (2024) 5 of 11
• How Much Money Do Software Developers Make? (2024) 6 of 11
• 520 Creative Instagram Captions & Quotes For Software Developers [2024] 7 of 11
• 1,000+ Trendy Software Company Names 8 of 11
• 325+ Trendy Software Developer Slogans 9 of 11
• 37 Pros & Cons Of Starting A Software Developer (2024) 10 of 11
• How Much Does It Cost To Become A Software Developer? (In 2024) 11 of 11

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ASP Software Developer Business Plan

Start your own asp software developer business plan

KnaelHaed ASPware, Inc.

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Despite the prolonged slide in the industry, the housing segment in the US construction market gained a record of $550.14 billion last year. This sector is also showing a steady growth for the next two years. Among the top revenue generating sectors in the segment is new single family housing construction, which comprised 67% of total residential construction in the US.

Over the years, the business model in the industry had shifted toward greater more cost efficiency. Low entry barriers (other than the need to obtain state-based licenses and registration) in the industry had spawned more service providers in the industry. However, competition is largely based on reputation and proven performance as many new competitors find it difficult to quickly establish a foothold in the market.

The existing firms have several advantages relative to new entrants. They:

• Have access to a pool of skilled subcontractors.
• Have ongoing arrangements with materials suppliers.
• Have ongoing arrangements with financial institutions and property developers.
• Can display completed examples of their work in a local market and leverage off “word-of-mouth” referrals.

KnaelHaed ASPware (KnaelHaed) is a provider of Web-based vertical market software applications. The DigitalSuspenders is an online software solution to be offered by KnaelHaed ASPware in support of the building construction process.

The Problem

The construction industry lags behind other industries in research and development (R&D) investment. R&D investments for mature US companies are typically around 3.5% of sales. For some industries such as aerospace that number can be 7% to 14%. However, the construction industry only reinvests 0.5% of sales. The reasons for the low reinvestment vary, but are generally due to costs and complexity. Most construction firms are small (less than 10 employees) and operate on thin profit margins. So, technology spending is often seen as an unaffordable luxury.

The Solution

The DigitalSuspenders will be an integrated family of Web-based software applications that support the entire building lifecycle from conception, to construction, to facility management. The suite will support the needs of small contractors by offering: online collaboration, digital takeoff, estimating, and project and property management capabilities, all presented in a format that’s easy to understand and use.

The Market Size

The home construction industry is comprised of 163,703 establishments and employed 796,880 persons according to the most recent Economic Census. The industry had grown in the last couple of years to a record 175,000 establishments, while the commercial and institutional building industry is comprised of 34,588 establishments in the US according to the most recent Economic Census. The construction industry accounts for approximately 8% of US GDP.

Start-up Costs

KnaelHaed ASPware anticipates initially requiring $120,000 to complete the beta prototype of the DigitalSuspenders, provide for legal and infrastructure expenses related to start up and to cultivate potential customers. To finance the start up we intend to seek initial capital from angel investors and corporate partners.

Potential Payoff

KnaelHaed ASPware anticipates break-even within two years. In addition to our product sales, we expect royalty revenue from licensing our position sensing and software technology. Within three to five years, KnaelHaed ASPware anticipates an IPO or sale of the company to fuel further growth and to offer liquidity to investors.

Management Team

Paul Peen, the current President & Chief Executive Officer, has over 20 years of experience in commercial software development, including stints at Microsoft and Expedia.com.

Leveraging connectivity, interactivity and speed, KnaelHaed ASPware is the first of its kind offering both efficiency and cost saving strategy to builders and subcontractors. KnaelHaed offers competitive pricing on solutions by outsourcing. KnaelHaed ASPware is committed to the creation of new ideas in the development of its model that is useful in accomplishing clients’ objectives. Together, the owners’ passion and accumulated field work has made KnaelHaed ASPware more than “just-another-outsourcing-hub”, but a catalyst for the next e-commerce re-invention.

1.1 Objectives

The mission of KnaelHaed ASPware is to provide a medium for custom builders, general contractors, design builders, engineer-contractors, joint-venture contractors, and turnkey contractors to outsource their works with greater cost saving efficiency.

This model is positioned to be a “disruptive force” against most of the construction software companies that charge several thousand dollars for each copy of their software. KnaelHaed ASPware’s model is to offer a subset of these capabilities for free. Utilizing the open-source business model, KnaelHaed ASPware’s ideal mission is to provide better solutions for all stakeholders.

1.2 Mission

Our target markets are those builders and subcontractors seeking to benefit from outsourcing. The industry today is supplied independently by software companies whose products are quite costly for small and medium sized users. Considering that the typical home builders construct only about a dozen homes per year, there are only a few companies that may then be considered large enough, with sufficient financial resources to pay for premium licensing of a software package.

We estimate that approximately 60% of the total US market would fall within the criteria of small and medium builders, equating to 118,980 establishments. Our focus will be directed to these establishments that are prioritizing on cost efficiency and precise results.

1.3 Keys to Success

We have targeted the construction market for several reasons. As a $787 billion industry (both residential and commercial), it offers significant growth potential. The annual unit growth of the number of establishments in the housing sector averaged 6.45% and commercial/institutional sector 0.46% last year.

Despite the low growth in the construction industry, it still remains a very fragmented market. Within the US alone there are over 200,000 establishments (both housing and commercial/institutional) on record.

The keys to our success are:

• Building and maintaining strategic alliances with our software vendors and other industry related business partners
• Adopting a customer- and market-focused sales and marketing paradigm
• Managing the business by implementing, and consistently measuring and adjusting the fundamentals of a Balanced Scorecard:
• Employee Learning and Growth Goals Vs. Results
• Financial Goals Vs. Results
• Internal Business Process Goals Vs. Results
• Customer Satisfaction Goals Vs. Results

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

KnaelHaed ASPware is a serviced website that supports the creation and dissemination of electronic construction documents, such as plans, estimates, schedules, budgets and proposals. It is a medium for connecting builders, subcontractors, and building owners to manage and collaborate on their projects. The production of these documents will be done using off-the-shelf industry leading software applications, utilized by outsourced workers overseas, with the finished products posted to a secure website. The overall idea is to help builders reduce labor costs and streamline operations.

KnaelHaed ASPware will give away free 3D building models in an effort to increase advantages in attracting builders to the site and encouraging the use of 3D building designs. The building information will allow us to offer other related knowledge services such as estimating, proposals, budgets, and facilities maintenance. The facilities maintenance functionality will be like other CAFM (Computer Aided Facilities Maintenance) software packages, except that it will be online and integrated with KnaelHaed ASPware’s 3D building models. KnaelHaed ASPware’s service will not be restricted to the home builder market but marketed to commercial builders as well.

2.1 Company Ownership

2.2 Start-up Summary

Total start-up requirements (including legal costs, logo design, stationery and related expenses) comes to $120,710. The start-up costs are to be financed partially by the direct owner investment of $10,000 and financing in the amount of $110,710. The details are included in the following table and chart.

2.3 Company Locations and Facilities

KnaelHaed ASPware will be based in Bigburg-by-Bay. The office lease average is $6 per square foot in our area, and the Company will occupy approximately 800 sq. feet of space for day-to-day operations. There will be four management employees covering Web Maintenance and General Administration.

Products and Services

KnaelHaed ASPware’s DigitalSuspenders package will offer services to produce construction documents at low cost as well as a medium for its business actors to collaborate on both housing and commercial type of projects. The business will combine aspects of the open source software with a two-tiered site membership. The entry level is free, subsidized by targeted advertisement utilizing Ad Sense by Google and paid members. However, each visitors are required to fill out registration to acquire their user names and passwords to access the site. The purpose of a free access is to “tease” and encourage visitors to eventually pay for the membership.

Paying members will enjoy more benefits in using the services. The concept is lately dubbed as software-on-demands, a chopped version of an open source application for various type of members, thus members do not have to pay for the applications they do not need for their projects. The software will be cheaper and simpler in the deployment, as well as easy support.

The products that KnaelHaed ASPware’s DigitalSuspenders package will deliver include:

• Rough 3D building model.
• Conceptual estimate (builder).
• Actual estimate (subcontractor, builder).
• Schedule (subcontractor, builder).
• Budget (subcontractor, builder).
• Proposal (subcontractor).
• Tablet PC software for accessing building information (subcontractor, builder).
• Detailed 3D building model (builder, owner).
• Facilities maintenance functionality (owner).

3.1 Competitive Comparison

KnaelHaed ASPware will be facing few direct competitors in the industry and since it will be the first to offer the combination of functionality and connectivity, KnaelHaed ASPware’s success will surely be quickly copied by it competitors.

• DreamHouse.com (www.dreamhouse.com)

Their site allows non-registered users to freely browse the portfolios of architects and builders who offer their building plans for sale. It is a more of a classified ad site, where the revenue generated through listings of vendors and commission on plan purchases by home owners. The site is interactive, where future home owners could browse plans made by vendors. In addition to the core referral service, DreamHouse.com provides answers to future home owners such as where to obtain the financing, and so on. The Company also offers 24/7 customer service available through toll-free phone numbers.

• Builder Management Technology (www.buildermt.com/vdsee.html)

Builder Management Technology (BuilderMT) only offers 3D models and walkthroughs to large builders who can afford a $5,000 price tag. There is one feature, called ProDatabase, designed to get builders up and running quickly. The database includes General Ledger, Job Cost Accounting, Purchasing, and Scheduling data that can be easily implemented. BuilderMT also operates a Web-based “Virtual Design Center” (VDSee), so that builders can offer anyone access to the site. VDSee offers fully scaled 3D images of whole-houses, house exteriors, or specific rooms that users can “walk through” and fill with selected appliances from catalogs provided by partner vendors. Similar to DreamHouse.com, BuilderMT is geared strictly to the home builder market. No bid capability, the site acts only as a referral to business partners in the area.

• The BlueBook (www.thebluebook.com)

The site provides easy access to continually updated information for each of The Blue Book’s regional editions (printed). Not yet online, but soon the services will be made available to Internet users, where construction buyers and sellers will also have free access to online bidding and procurement system. Revenue is generated from listings.

3.2 Sales Literature

This business will begin with a general corporate brochure establishing offered services. This brochure will be developed as part of the start-up expenses or sales campaign and distributed to a list of local builders and subcontractors as a direct mailing strategy to “pull” users into the site.

Literature and mailing for the initial market forums will be very important, with the need to establish a high-quality look and feel in order to create a trustworthy sense of professionalism.

3.3 Business Process

The big idea of KnaelHaed ASPware is the next generation construction blueprint that will be implemented in a phased manner:

• 3D models for builders (residential initially) at lower price point than competitors’ software (average at $5,000 per model). KnaelHaed ASPware offers at $1,000 per model. This will be used mainly as a PR and marketing tool to attract consumers and a service differentiator for the builders.
• Get builders to realize that the 3D building model alleviates the need to distribute 2D plans to subcontractors from which takeoffs will be done to get dimensions and quantities. The 3D building model already has quantities and dimensions. So, what’s needed is a way for the builder to share building model information. To support this collaboration between builders and their subcontractors, KnaelHaed ASPware will create an online plan room with software tools that allow viewing of the 3D model and extraction of quantities and dimensions so that a sub can then estimate and bid on the job. Access to the plan room will be free, but to use it builders and subs will need to be members, and have 3D models rendered and on-file with KnaelHaed’s database.
• Get builders and subcontractors to use KnaelHaed ASPware’s estimating services which will offer faster turnaround and cheaper prices. This will be a paid service and offered at a substantial discount to the market rate due to the use of offshore estimators.
• Offer additional related knowledge services. For example, once KnaelHaed ASPware has an estimate, then the system can create: budgets, schedules and proposals. This will also be a paid service with the work done by offshore knowledge workers.
• Offer a site management solution to builders that supports building project information in the field. This would entail the use of ruggedized tablet PCs loaded with software that KnaelHaed ASPware will develop to: download building project information from the website to the tablet PC and allow on-site access to 3D models, schedules, and vendor data. Differentiating features:
• 3D views of the building linked to vendor, subcontract and schedule data;
• GPS-enabled so that the building viewers are standing in front of is the building viewers see on your screen. This will be a paid product/service that will be first offered to large builders. KnaelHaed ASPware will also use their input to help improve the product.
• Offer facilities management software capabilities online. When a builder hands over a commercial building to the owner he also gives him a copy of the 3D building model. We will offer to the property manager the service to update the building model to “as built” so that the version of the model they have exactly matches the actual building. We will then offer, on our website, facilities management functionality tied to the 3D model. We will charge to update 3D models. Use of the site will be restricted to property managers who are site members (we need to know exactly who they are). We will offer our services to property managers who only have an existing building but only have 2D plans. We will create a 3D model and put it up on our site and give them access to the model and to the facilities management application.
• Offer 3D models of building plans for sale. So, an architect who has plans for sale would post his 2D plan to the site and we would render it in 3D and make it available for consumers/builders to purchase. We would want to have some kind of incentive to:
• have has many plans available as possible;
• encourage architects to submit their plans in 3D;
• encourage builders working from these plans to use our site.
• Automate back office manual work (e.g. estimating, scheduling, etc.) to the greatest degree possible to reduce costs further, improve turnaround times and allow the business to scale.

KnaelHaed ASPware offers a tiered pricing structure for the website starting at free. Then it will charge for customization and make those customized features only available to those that have paid for them. There will be different memberships and pricing structures for our various users: builders, subcontractors, property managers and consumers.

3.4 Technology

New technology has changed almost everything about the distribution of software today. The ASP (Application Service Provider) model makes it easier for construction software vendors to sell and get customers up and running, lending itself to a more scalable and profitable business model. KnaelHaed ASPware intends to become the leader and the most creative provider of Web-based software applications in the construction market. The Company will do this by developing an innovative and progressive development and management team. KnaelHaed ASPware will also accomplish the goal by using clients’ input to further develop the products and services.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

Demand for family housing construction is subject to both short-term and long-term influences. Short-term influences include factors such as movements in interest rates, housing affordability and stimulatory government policy. The long-term influences include trends in population growth and settlement, the aging of existing stock and buyer preferences between single-family and multi-family style housing.

In the commercial sectors, the demand factors are vary according to the type of buildings, for instance schools, hospitals, museums, etc. Current economic conditions and the level of investor confidence play an important role in determining the overall level of activity in this industry.

4.1 Market Segmentation

Housing Construction

Short-term Determinants

The impact of current economic conditions on consumer confidence. Consumers must be confident of job security and future household income to commit to buying a home. Housing affordability is the cost of purchasing a house relative to current household income and is a key factor driving the housing investment cycle. The affordability ratio (as a measure of the average size of the loan over the current level of pre-tax household income) is directly influenced by the level of mortgage interest rates (availability and price of finance), and the price of land, labor and materials.

The prevailing cost of renting residential accommodation relative to the cost of purchasing (i.e., mortgage repayments) impacts on the short-term demand for housing. The impact of medium-term government policy on housing investment include: local government zoning and conveyancing regulations and costs; government grants and subsidies to home buyers, tax relief or mortgage insurance subsidization; and changes in the tax treatment of tax effective investments.

Approximately 6% of the total value of residential building construction in the US is funded by the public sector, and this principally involves the construction of multi-family and single-family housing for defense personnel, public servants and special welfare recipients (e.g., disability accommodation and veterans housing). Fluctuations in public budget allocations towards housing construction mainly result from variations in the fiscal stance (deficit/surplus) and the stage of the economic cycle.

Natural disasters, such as the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in the gulf states in August 2005, and damage to property from brush fires and earthquakes, can stimulate short-term demand for new housing construction irrespective of the underlying trends in housing demand.

Long-term Underlying Demand

Long-term demographic trends indicate the required minimum stock of housing, but not necessarily the value. Demographic factors influencing single-family housing demand include: population growth rates, trends in net migration, population dispersion, the age composition of the population and the rate of household formation have a profound influence on the long-term demand for housing stock. Trends in household size and long-term preferences in the size of homes influences the demand for single-family housing construction relative to smaller multi-family housing units.

Long-term trends in income growth and distribution and general economic development. The aging and demolition of existing housing stock underpins the long-term demand for replacement stock.

Commercial and Institutional Construction

In the commercial sectors, the demand factors vary according to the type of buildings, for instance schools, hospitals, museums, etc. However, current economic conditions and the level of investor confidence play an important role in determining the overall level of activity in this industry.

Key economic factors influencing investment decisions include:

• The prevailing level of interest rates and availability of finance.
• Current and expected rates of general economic growth.
• Expected yield on investment (both long-term rental yield and speculative capital gains).
• Taxation treatment of building investment compared with other types of assets.
• Vacancy rates of existing building stock.
• The rate of replacement of aging building stock.
• Federal and State government fiscal positions and capacity to raise debt.
• Trends in the public/private sector mix in the provision of health and educational services.
• Changes in the structure, distribution and size of the population.

Demand Determinants in Commercial Building Segment

Office construction is principally determined by: growth in the service sector workforce; growth in foreign investment inflow; and developer speculative activity. The average age of commercial office stock is an important determinant of demand for the addition of new stock or the upgrade of existing stock. The impact of new technologies in the areas of IT and communications has the impact of more rapidly aging building stock and thereby increasing demand for premium stock.

Retail building construction (e.g., retail stores, shopping malls, gas stations, etc.) is principally determined by: shopping preferences/patterns (i.e., choice between boutiques and complexes); population growth rates and catchment areas; and patterns in consumption expenditure.

Hotel construction is determined by: growth in international and domestic tourism; major cultural, sporting entertainment, business events; growth in casino licenses; and existing supply of accommodation.

Other commercial building construction is determined by: population growth and urban spread; tourism growth and growth in leisure time; and major cultural and sporting events (e.g., Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics); popularity of new sports and recreations (e.g., soccer, beach volleyball).

Demand Determinants in the Institutional Building Segment

Governments occasionally adopt anti-cyclical spending measures (e.g., expansionary fiscal policy) in order to stimulate stronger economic growth, however the growing pressure on governments to maintain a balanced budget position limits their capacity to use anti-cyclical spending.

Demand for health facilities construction (e.g., hospitals, community health centers, day clinics, and nursing homes, etc.) is determined by: public fixed capital expenditure growth; health insurance arrangements; population growth, dispersion and age distribution; existing supply of hospital beds per capita; and the situation with hospital waiting lists.

Demand for religious building construction is determined by: population growth and dispersion; social and cultural trends; and trends in the inflow of migrants from less represented religious backgrounds (e.g., Muslim, Hindu, etc.).

Demand for barracks, aircraft hangars and other military buildings is determined by: defense budgets; armed service intake trends; and defense planning.

Demand for specialist public services buildings such as postal distribution centers, currency mints and utility distribution installations is determined by: government budget policies and planning issues; and the growth and distribution of population.

Demand for construction of public access buildings such as law courts, libraries, museums and art galleries is determined by: the aging and capacities of existing stock; budgetary position; private philanthropy such as endowments/bequests to the arts; and the timing of special events (e.g., Salt Lake Winter Olympics).

Demand for correctional buildings and detention centers is determined by: budget policies and planning issues; growth in the privatization of the delivery of services; and growth in the prison population.

4.2 Industry Analysis

The value of construction in place in the total US residential market climbed to a record $550.14 billion in 2004; comprised of new single-family house construction ($370.23 billion), new multi-family house construction ($45.80 billion), plus the value of improvements to existing houses ($134.11 billion). Meanwhile the commercial and institutional construction market reached the value of $237 billion in 2004.

The home construction industry was comprised of 163,703 establishments and employed 796,880 persons according to the 2002 Economic Census. The industry has grown in last couple of years to a record 175,000 establishments, employing approximately 920,000 people in 2004.

The commercial and institutional building industry was comprised of 34,588 establishments in the US according to the 2002 Economic Census, and employed a total of 673,318 people. However, in contrast to its housing counterpart, in a recent estimate conducted by IBISWorld and Euromonitor, the employment for commercial and institutional building industry had decreased marginally over the past years due to weak demand in downstream building markets to 655,000 people in 34,750 establishments in 2004. The major categories for commercial and institutional building industry are divided as follow:

• Educational facilities (28.6%)
• Retail stores and commercial warehouses (24.6%)
• Offices (16.5%)
• Healthcare facilities (12.3%)
• Amusement and recreation facilities (7.4%)
• Hotels (4.4%)
• Public safety facilities (3.2%)
• Religious buildings (3%)

4.2.1 Business Participants

The market has expressed the need to have more access to suppliers and buyers in completing each of their projects. To gain this, the industry needs a more interactive and real-time medium serving as a hub connecting both subcontractors and builders.

This has manifested itself in the form of greater visibility and timely event notice so the appropriate corrective or scheduled actions can be implemented, to ensure an efficient project management and supply chain.

4.2.2 Distributing a Service

Small to medium builders are accustomed to cooperating with subcontractors who they have already employed in past projects. The each expect fair price in their project, as it is mainly a trust-based business relationship.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

KnaelHaed ASPware has clearly defined the target market and differentiated itself by offering a unique solution to the industry today. KnaelHaed ASPware’s sales and marketing strategy will be a combination of targeted mass marketing techniques as well as a focused direct sales team approach. Reasonable sales targets have been established with an implementation plan designed to ensure the goals set forth below are achieved.

5.1 Strategy Pyramid

For placing emphasis on service and support, KnaelHaed ASPware’s main tactics are networking expertise, excellent training, and developing own network administrative system. 

Our second strategy is emphasizing relationships. The tactics are marketing the company (instead of the products and services) — the vision of the company — to subcontractors and builders to use the service.

5.2 Value Proposition

Software delivered as a service improves the customer experience by making a product easier to use for a customer and evolving it as quickly as possible to meet the customer’s needs. Software delivered as a service enables that and packaged software does not.

Customers are tired of buying expensive software products with large up-front licenses; expensive hardware to purchase, manage, and maintain; followed by expensive professional services to get the product up and running. From this backdrop, it is easy to see why reducing complexity and simplifying technology for customers is a big driver to more rapid adoption of products. It is also easy to see why reducing complexity for the customer also helps reduce complexity for the vendor, lowering the friction to sell and deliver its product. This means a more capital efficient business model, one which would hopefully scale much quicker and cost less to build product, sell, and support customers.

For the software vendor, it makes it:

• Easier to sell
• Shorter sales cycle-do not have to test extensively in a customer’s environment.
• Lends itself to telesales, can demo over phone and Web, do not need a huge sales infrastructure to close deals (just need quote bearing reps without a huge staff of sales engineers and professional services guys to get the job done).
• Not a capital expense, usually sold as monthly or annual subscription which can many times be taken out of business budget as opposed to IT budget.
• Easier to install
• No messy installation process, long testing process, or even waiting for hardware to be delivered to customer.
• Can leave a customer and simply point them to a URL, train them over the phone, and get them up and running.
• All of this means that the business can scale rapidly.
• Cheaper to support
• Browser-based delivery and richer client interfaces like DHTML make it easy to use for the customer=less training=less customer support costs.
• Easier to integrate
• Standard APIs make it easier for software delivered as a service to integrate disparate systems.
• Once again, reduces costs to deliver product to customers and also removes obstacles to getting customers.
• Cheaper to build
• Versus a few years ago, bandwidth, storage, servers, and software are much cheaper.
• Think Linux, Intel boxes, cheap bandwidth, commodity software stacks, and smarter entrepreneurs changing the economics of building and delivering software as a service.
• The economics speak for themselves.

5.3 Marketing Strategy

The first strategic move for KnaelHaed ASPware must be to create its website and identity. An amount of $5,000 has been set aside for this image boosting purpose. The site must have all the features running as planned to maintain the credibility of the business.

It is essential that care be taken to cause the most important search engines to find KnaelHaed ASPware’s website using a variety of keywords. While the above work is being done, KnaelHaed ASPware must immediately take steps to enter the home construction industry. With the largest growth in the segment, home construction market is surely ready to take advantage of the system and services provided by KnaelHaed ASPware. From there, the commercial and institutional segment will follow.

5.3.1 Pricing Strategy

KnaelHaed ASPware’s pricing strategy will be to enter the market with our products and services set much lower than the competitors’ current offerings. Membership fees for subcontractors and builders are $50 per month, and instead of charging $5,000 per 3D model, KnaelHaed ASPware offer $1,000 for a customized 3D model job.

5.3.2 Marketing Programs

KnaelHaed ASPware’s marketing program will position the company as both an ASP and a service hub to the construction industry in general. The service will be marketed to builders and subcontractors that wish to outsource some of their work to be more cost efficient. Visitors to KnaelHaed ASPware’s website will first be “lured” to try the service for free by filling in the main info of who they are, what company they are with, how to get in touch with them, and so on. There will be limitations on KnaelHaed’s free service, and these visitors will, at some point, desire to become members in order to enjoy the benefits of the full service.

5.3.3 Positioning Statement

KnaelHaed ASPware is a “referral plus” service, meaning that the company acts as a hub for builders and subcontractors to interact and collaborate. In the meantime, KnaelHaed ASPware itself is a producing entity, where it offers various products to complement the relationships of the clients.

5.4 Sales Strategy

KnaelHaed ASPware is targeting both home and commercial segments of the construction industry that currently do not have enough resources and networking capabilities to better implement their projects. Sales to these market segments will be conducted through strategic partnership with local subcontractors in all counties of the US.

KnaelHaed will develop a secondary market segment comprised of large corporate users for more premium services following the success of the initial launch.

5.4.1 Sales Forecast

The table below outlines the sales forecast and cost of goods sold. The forecast is based on reasonable sales projections within this very large market.

5.5 Strategic Alliances

KnaelHaed ASPware will establish strategic partnerships with network service and infrastructure providers that can provide high performance access to network facilities. The focus of KnaelHaed ASPware’s strategic alliances is on start-up software houses that are currently targeting the industry, as well as offshore companies specializing in outsourcing call centers and knowledge workers. These offshore companies to be named later.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

KnaelHaed ASPware will have a limited management structure and using the power and flexibility of the World Wide Web, outsource and automate a great deal of the day-to-day work.

7.1 Management Team

Paul Peen – Founder and President

Mr. Peen has an extensive background in software development with more than 25 years of experience in the software industry.

Raef Terre – Vice-president

Mr. Terre has spent many years in the construction industry beginning as a framing carpenter, and working his way up to site foreman and job manager for a major general contractor.

7.2 Management Team Gaps

We believe we have a good team for covering the main points of the business plan. Key members have the experience and knowledge to manage and grow the business, and are highly motivated.

The obvious management gap is a plan to fill the general manager’s position at some point in the future. As the company grows, KnaelHaed ASPware will seek out additional talent in all operational areas.

7.3 Personnel Plan

There will be less than ten employees of KnaelHaed ASPware. The growth of the company will be determined by how accurately and efficiently the company is able to implement the facets of this business plan.

Each member of the KnaelHaed ASPware team is highly valued; everyone is expected to have opinions, as it is a team that will make this company excel. It is the mission of the company to employ people who are committed to a high standard of excellence, who thrive on a team atmosphere, and who have outstanding customer service skills. This idealism is represented by the current staff, and will continue to be the guideline by which new team members are hired.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The following subtopics help present the financial plan for KnaelHaed ASPware.

8.1 Start-up Funding

Our start-up costs of $120,710 are to be financed by direct owner investment and investors’. The details are shown in the Start-up Funding Table below.

8.2 The Investment Offering

We plan to raise $120,710 in initial investment (our Seed round) by offering investors 60% of KnaelHaed ASPware. The founder will retain control of the remaining 40% through the first two years of operations. Additional investment may be required to fund expansion plans in the 3rd year of operations. Please review the Start-up Funding section of the Financial Plan for a complete breakdown of KnaelHaed ASPware’s start-up requirements and the start-up funding plan.

8.3 Key Financial Indicators

As shown in the Benchmarks chart below, our key financial indicators are:

• Projected Sales: Projections are based on actual past performance, and are conservative. We will increase sales at an average rate of 8% per year.
• Gross Margins: Average gross margins are based on 20% COGS of all FOSS services.
• Operating Expenses: Operating expenses are based on providing our small team with above average wages and benefits, and providing superior performance.

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

The following chart and table show the project cash flow for KnaelHaed ASPware.

8.5 Break-even Analysis

For our break-even analysis, we assume running costs which include our full payroll, rent, and utilities, and an estimation of other running costs. Payroll alone, at our present run rate, is only about $16,767 per month.

The chart shows the average revenue we need each month to break even, according to these assumptions.

8.6 Projected Profit and Loss

Month-by-month assumptions for profit and loss are included in the appendix.

8.7 Projected Balance Sheet

The table below presents the balance sheet for KnaelHaed ASPware. This table reflects a positive cash position through out the period of this financial plan and growth in net worth.

8.8 Business Ratios

The following table outlines some of the more important ratios from the Computer software development and applications industry, SIC 7371.0300. The final column, Industry Profile, details specific ratios based on the Custom computer programming services industry as it is classified by the Standard Industry Classification (SIC) code, 7371.

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Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a software development business.

The costs associated with opening a software development company can range from very little (i.e. less than $1,000) to extremely high sums (i.e. venture capital funds). The money invested in a business typically goes toward:

• website hosting expenses and data storage fees
• specialized programs that a project requires
• copyright, trademark and patent fees
• additional employees or contract workers

The variance in startup costs is primarily due to the number of employees and contract workers brought onto the project. Workers speed up the development timeline, but also increase costs.

Paul Jarvis’ company OfCourseBooks is a good example of how a successful business can be started for very little. Jarvis and his team spent $1,125 in startup costs. The funds paid for a website, specialized fonts, stock photography, legal fees, the first month’s operating expenses and a couple other miscellaneous items.

John Sung Kim took a different approach with his company, getting a $40,000 initial investment before developing a call center software program.

What are the ongoing expenses for a software development business?

The ongoing expenses for a software development company also vary. OfCourseBooks costs $45 per month to maintain. A program like Microsoft Dynamics 365 require many more servers and a lot more personnel to maintain, and therefore, has much higher operating expenses.

Who is the target market?

The target market for a software development company can be almost anyone, but it must be well-defined. Business owners need a clear understanding of a need that people or businesses have, and how a program addresses that specific need.

How does a software development business make money?

Software development companies have traditionally charged customers on a per-license basis, but many companies are transitioning to a software-as-a-service (SaaS) structure instead. In SaaS arrangements, customers pay an ongoing fee in order to use the developing company’s program. Some level of support is usually included in this fee.

A few outlying software development companies don’t charge license or subscription fees. Instead, these companies typically either build advertisements into their programs or offer training that does have a fee associated with it.

There is a great range in how much computer programs cost. Simple apps are frequently free or just a few dollars. Complex enterprise solutions can cost tens of thousands of dollars. For example, Angry Birds originally cost $0.99 to $2.99 and is now free. Microsoft Dynamics 365 can be $190 per user / per month.

How much profit can a software development business make?

While not every business reaches this level, the profit potential for a software development business can be enormous. John Sung Kim stayed with Five9 until its revenue reached $10 million. An IPO on the NASDAQ valued the company at $350 million.

Even much more modest companies have substantial profits. For instance, OfCourseBooks brought in a little over $11,000 in profit before even launching a program.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Software development companies can increase their profits by providing additional services to clients. Expedited support, extra training and program customizations might be offered at an extra cost.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your software development business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a software development business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Certificate of Occupancy

A software development business is generally run out of an office. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location :
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a software development business.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
• If you plan to purchase or build a location :
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your software development business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Software Development Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Software Development Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a software development business

Most software development companies market their programs online, through websites and other platforms. What other platforms are most appropriate for a particular business to use depends on what programs that business creates. A business that makes spell checkers for legal documents won’t want to market in the same place as a video game.

How to keep customers coming back

A software company’s programs must work well, or else customers will switch to more user-friendly and error-free programs. For this reason, the testing and debugging phase of development shouldn’t be rushed.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

While many different types of people work within the software development industry, business founders tend to be people who bridge the gap between logic and creativity. Writing programs, of course, requires a strong command of logic. Having the vision for a software program that’ll be useful, however, requires creativity.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a software development business?

Much of the work that goes on at a software development company is done on a computer. Business owners spend time writing code, testing and debugging programs, marketing their programs and providing support to customers.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful software development business?

Business owners must themselves know how to code in at least one programming language, and competency in several languages is highly advisable. This technical knowledge is necessary to code and debug programs. Business owners also need it so they can discuss issues with other programmers or developers working on the company’s projects.

People who don’t have sufficient coding knowledge can study different languages through both in-person and online courses. Many community colleges and four-year colleges have computer science programs, and local software developers may offer private tutoring. Regent University , Saint Leo University , Southern New Hampshire University and many other schools offer online degree programs in Computer Science.

What is the growth potential for a software development business?

A software development company can be a small, one-person business, or it can grow into an international corporation. Gorges is a local development company in Ithaca, NY, and Logos is a good example of a niche-specific company. Microsoft and Apple are two of the largest software developers in the world, although their work isn’t limited to only making programs.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a software development business?

Many successful software development companies have raised support on Kickstarter before launching. Jarvis used this strategy to raise over $12,000 before launching OfCourseBooks. Pillars of Eternity , a computer-based role-playing game (RPG) raised almost $4 million on Kickstarter.

How and when to build a team

Whether a software development company hires people depends on the business’ owners expertise, program’s complexity, business’ budget and required timeline.

Business owners who do hire employees frequently bring on computer programmers, computer developers, designers and marketers. All of these people can be hired as traditional employees or on a contract basis. Sometimes, salespeople are brought on board . They may be given a salary, a commission or both.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• Software & Information Industry Association

Real World Examples

• Cylon Technologies

Further Reading

• Advice on Starting Your Own Software Company
• Software Development Business Models: What to Choose for Your Business?

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

Start a Software Development Business

Unlocking the Cipher: Dive into the Matrix of Software Development

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS

Related business ideas, discover your perfect domain, software development mini business plan, expected percent margin:, earnings expectations:, actions to hit those numbers:, talent acquisition and management:, marketing and customer acquisition:, product development:, cost control:, business operations:, not what you had in mind here are more ideas, grab your business website name, step 1: determine if the business is right for you, breakdown of startup expenses, breakdown of ongoing expenses, examples of ways to make money, step 2: name the business, step 3: create a business plan, step 4: obtain funding, sources of funding, step 4: obtain necessary licenses and permits, applying for licenses and permits, paying for licenses and permits, keeping licenses and permits up to date, step 5: choose a business structure, step 6: open a business bank account, benefits of having a business bank account, how to open a business bank account, step 7: set up accounting, hiring an accountant, setting up a bookkeeping system, establishing a budget, step 8: market your business, establish your brand, measure your results, step 9: hire employees, tips on how to retain employees, explore more categories, take the next steps.

Software Development Plan: Comprehensive Guide and Free Templates

Dec 14, 2023

24 mins read

Table of Contents

Behind every on-time, on-budget, and seamless software lies a solid and comprehensive software development plan. It’s the strategic roadmap that aligns resources, budget, and timelines, preventing potential project risks and assuring a smooth journey from concept to execution.

In this article, we will help you create a software development plan from scratch, by digging into fundamental knowledge, step-by-step guide, and best practices, and providing a popular software development plan template. Let’s get cracking!

What Is a Software Development Plan?

A software development plan (SDP)  is a strategic roadmap that outlines the entire software development life cycle ( SDLC ) , including goals, resources, budget, and timeline. It helps ensure efficient development, resource management, risk prevention, cost control, and successful software delivery.

A well-crafted project plan for software development sets the foundation for a smooth software development project and acts as a bridge between development teams and stakeholders, ensuring everyone is on the same page. In contrast, a development project without guidance can lead to delays, budget overruns, and potential chaos.

A comprehensive software development life cycle project plan includes the following key elements:

• Project goals and requirements: Clearly identify the purpose, target users, functional and non-functional requirements, and desired outcomes of the end product.
• Timeline and milestones: Create a realistic software development timeline with detailed and precise milestones, providing a project roadmap for everyone to stay on track.
• Roles and responsibilities allocation: Define each team member’s responsibilities and tasks to guarantee efficient accountability and collaboration.
• Budget: Estimate the development costs, resources expenses, and other associated expenses.

How to Create a Software Development Plan: Step-by-step Guide

How to plan a software development project? Here are some key phases included in creating a software development plan:

Analyze the project’s scope and requirement 

Start your software implementation project plan by analyzing the requirements requested by the client. Here are some crucial factors to consider:

• Alignment: How does the client’s need and request fit in with the company’s ability and expertise?
• Resources: Does the company have the infrastructure, human, tech stacks, and time to achieve the project’s goals?
• Budget: What is the client’s offered pricing model and budget for this software development project? And is it consistent with the company’s pricing models and resources?

Define project objectives

After deeply understanding the client’s requirements for the project, the next step is identifying the software project’s goals and objectives. A clear objective provides a clear view of the roadmap and the final destination for the team. 

A well-defined objective and requirement right from the start is essential in a successful software development plan. It is the foundational “compass” to avoid misunderstandings, ensuring everyone understands the project’s purpose .

The project’s objectives defining phase includes specifying intentions, visions, and preferred endpoint. Applying formulas like SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) can make objectives more concrete and actionable.

Build an effective software development team

Based on the objectives defined in Step 2, you can form a development team with roles and capabilities that match the project’s scope and meet customer expectations.

This step is critical, especially in a Waterfall or Scrum project . Picking the proper member right from the start decides the project’s success in meeting the quality and delivery time.

When it comes to agile software development projects, the team will be divided into smaller independent units. Each sub-team has its focus on distinct development phases.

In other scenarios, the project might need an outsourced team for certain tasks. Therefore, identifying involved stakeholders is also crucial in this step. In case your team has never cooperated with an external team before, here comes a list of 10 reliable agile offshore software development companies that are worth considering.

Lastly, after the full team is formed, assigning a project manager becomes essential for efficiently managing the entire team. The ideal project manager should possess prior experience in a similar or relevant project type, and have an in-depth knowledge of the domain.

Identify risks and mitigation

Now, when the clients, developers, stakeholders, and other parties are involved, the whole team can sit down together and identify potential challenges and develop a mitigation plan accordingly. 

To create a thorough plan, the team needs to go through end-to-end production stages , covering from development, testing, UI/UX design, and system integration to product launch.

In order to effectively manage risk, your team can leverage popular tools that help spot all possible issues like the risk matrix , also known as a probability and severity risk matrix. This allows demonstrate the probability of a problem occurring and predict its consequences . In case you are delegating your software development project to an outsourced team, make sure they are qualified with risk management certifications. 

LTS Group is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company which ensures that all of our project managers and technical leaders are fully aware of risk management and how to mitigate and eliminate risk throughout the software development process.

Create a timeline

Developing a software development project timeline with realistic deadlines , and milestones helps in setting expectations, and monitoring and tracking the progress. 

Milestones included in the development process could be “design phase complete”, “MVP version complete”, etc. These milestones determine tentative deadlines that allow clients, stakeholders, and internal teams to seamlessly keep track of the software delivery timeline. 

Before finalizing the timeline, make sure to have all the team member’s agreement. Any suggestions from the team members about extending deadlines, or any other arising tools, etc., should be discussed and agreed upon starting the project. This ensures no unexpected incidents will interrupt the software development process.

Continually review and adjust the project plan

In this ever-evolving technology industry, being flexible and adaptive is crucial to stay ahead of the game. Linear as the software development plan may seem, the project manager or team leader can collect project data and analyze it to make adjustments to the plan if needed to enhance efficiency.

This step requires a metric to track and evaluate the project’s performance and quality. Without these metrics and measurements, there won’t be useful data to analyze to make informed decisions and manage the project effectively.

Software Development Plan Templates

A project plan template for software development is a valuable “assistant” for an effective software project management plan and organization. It benefits your team in specifying requirements, organizing key details, and streamlining tasks by providing a standard outline. 

A well-designed software development plan template will help your team focus on the informed decision-making process , and the specialized work , by covering the following functions:

• Creating and updating project timeline, schedule, and status
• Tracking key performance indicators
• Determining priority for certain solutions and tasks
• Assessing the overall roadmap, project scope, and requirements
• Effectively addressing the process, technology requirements, and documentation across multiple teams

So, what makes a good software development template? Despite differing in specific functions, all the great software development plan templates share the following common characteristics:

• Ease of implementation: These templates should allow quick and straightforward setup, allowing seamless integration with other project management platforms and tools.
• Ease of update and customization: These templates need to be dynamic, quickly adaptive, updated, and customized as project progress changes, especially in agile projects.
• Visual focus: Templates with a user-friendly visual will facilitate collaboration among team members by providing a quick and easily understandable overview of important touchpoints.
• Ease of accessibility for stakeholders: All of your in-house and outsourced team members, and other inside-out stakeholders should easily access the templates system, ensuring smooth collaboration and communication regarding all project elements.
• Goal-centric accomplishment: Each template should focus on one core objective, whether it’s technology scope planning, mitigation plan, or project prioritization, ensuring that the template’s function can achieve its intended goal.

Are you ready to map out a timeline for your next software development project? Check out the following 5 major software development plan examples:

Simple software project plan template

Download a Simple Software Project Plan Template

This simple software project planning template provides a straightforward task-based guideline for development execution.

How it works: Enter your project’s detailed information including

• Scope of work, 
• Project managers, 
• Main deliverables timeline, and dates .

With sprint-based swimlanes , this template allows your team to organize the project’s primary tasks . For each task, input the due date, and status, assign a person in charge, and monitor the completion percentages.

When to use: This template is best for projects that require a simple, task-centric guide for software development planning and execution.

Software development project plan template

Download a Software Development Project Plan Template

This comprehensive template offers a Gannt chart for effective visual software project timeline planning. 

How it works: This template features functions like a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) task numbering, due date column, estimated work in hours, and task owner column . With the visual-centric Gannt chart interface, this template allows your team to have a clear and easy-to-skim of the project timeline, tasks, and progress. In addition, a burndown chart provides the amount of remaining and completed work for each sprint.

When to use: This template is ideal for projects that require a comprehensive landscape , suitable for various methodologies.

Software deployment project plan template

Download a Software Deployment Project Plan Template 

This software deployment project template serves as a Waterfall or Agile tool to ensure that your project deliverables are on the right track .

How it works: For each task, input your project’s detailed information including track status (eg. Planned, Ongoin, Done), story points, and set deployment due dates. This template also concludes an “At risk” column which allows you to identify the tasks that miss the deployment deadline. 

When to use: This template is applied when planning deployment projects, most adaptable to Waterfall and Agile methodologies .

Agile software development project plan template

Download a Software Rollout and Implementation Plan Template

Agile software development plan template is an all-inclusive management tool for Agile software development projects, guiding you through project completion with sprint and task-based swimlanes. 

How it works: Enter story points for each sprint’s task and feature to consider each factor accurately , and then determine how it affects the project’s overall success. By this, your team can account for every feature and component that must be completed by the end of each sprint or the overall project. With the overall progress field in this template, your team can follow tabs on the completion percentage of each sprint or the overall project. 

When to use: This template is applied when planning and executing Agile software development projects , ensuring comprehensive management coverage .

Software migration plan template

Download a Software Migration Plan Template

This software migration template provides a high-level overview of your major software migration projects. 

How it works: This template includes built-in tasks such as assessing potential risks, identifying the opportunity, and more. The dropdown menu under each task allows you to choose the subtasks f or detailed software planning, including reviewing implementation strategy, and needed resources, or identifying operating costs.

When to use: This template is ideal for planning software migrations , ensuring a strategic approach.

What to Avoid When Creating a Software Development Plan?

Creating a software development plan is challenging. Being aware of possible risks will help you avoid costly damages. Here are some reasons leading to possible failure of a software development plan that you have to pay attention to:

• Weak vision and unclear goal: A successful product development strategy cannot start from a vague idea. Without a clear and concise goal and vision, your team will easily lose direction and ultimately go off the rails.
• Plan for wrong needs: Every software development project is executed to solve a specific problem. However, as development evolves, and new challenges occur, it is essential to make necessary adjustments to adapt to the latest needs.
• Unrealistic timelines and deadlines: Scheduling impractical timeframes can elevate pressure and result in a rushed development process, leading to a decline in the quality of the final product.
• Poor resource allocation: Inappropriate allocation of resources like tools, personnel, and equipment can result in delays, decreased productivity, and quality concerns. Precise resource allocation is crucial for meeting the project’s requirements.
• Communication barriers: Improper communication strategies and tools between team members can interrupt the workflow, lead to misunderstandings, and conflicts,  and ultimately slow down the project.
• Lack of quality assurance and testing: The software development plan can not miss the testing plan , code reviews, and QA metrics . Otherwise, bugs, bad user experiences, and system issues will cause you unpredicted expenses and lead to project overrun.

Why Is a Software Development Plan Important?

An effective software development plan refers to successful project management and execution. It helps foster collaboration and transparency in a project and avoid overruns in deadlines and budgets.

Here a some important aspects of the software development plan:

• Clear role and responsibilities identification: Assigning roles in the early phase and transparently documenting those assignments can ensure accountability for each task.
• Precise requirement analysis: Creating a software development plan allows your team to deeply understand the client’s requirements and make informed decisions to meet their needs.
• Timely deadline achievement: A software development plan outlines a clear and specific timeframe for each task or phase of the project, enabling team members to easily track the project’s progress and ensure timely completion.
• Effective budget oversight: A detailed software development plan includes careful budget and fund allocation, serving as a blueprint for your team to follow and maintain alignment with the project budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About Software Development Plan

1. what is a software development plan.

A software development plan is a comprehensive roadmap for your software project. It helps outline the entire process and strategy for developing software, including timelines, resources, and tasks required to meet the project’s needs. The plan acts as a structured guideline for the development team and stakeholders throughout the project.

2. How to plan a software development project?

Planning a software development project involves the following key steps: Analyzing the project’s scope and requirements , Defining project objectives , Building an effective software development team , Identifying risks and mitigation , Creating a timeline , and Continually reviewing and adjusting the project plan. Each step needs the involvement of every member from different departments to ensure alignment, facilitate a collective understanding, and adjust necessary changes in the initial stages.

3. What should be included in a software development plan?

A comprehensive software development plan requires several key elements. This includes clear project goals and requirements ; specific timelines and milestones , suitable roles and responsibilities allocation , and effective budget oversight . In addition, each element needs regular feedback , approval mechanisms , and change management to ensure a well-managed and systematic process.

Final Thoughts About Software Development Plan

The planning process of a software development project is as important as the implementation of it. The software development plan acts as a foundation, laying the groundwork for the overall project’s success. 

A well-defined software development plan serves as a guide to keep the project on track, and on budget , and avoid possible risks like delays, budget overruns, and quality issues. 

However, creating a software development plan is challenging. We hope that our guidance, tips, and software development templates can provide you with a more comprehensive understanding and help you save time in customizing your effective plan. If you find yourself in need of further guidance or professional advice, reach out to LTS Group’s experts – we are here to help!

Website: https://ltsgroup.tech/ 

Tel: (+84) 24-6660-7474

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lts-group-vietnam

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Ashley Nguyen

Meet Ashley Nguyen, our dedicated Content Marketing specialist with a passion for digital transformation, AI, and software development. Ashley's words bridge the gap between complex tech concepts and everyday understanding. Her insightful pieces not only educate but also inspire readers to embrace the ever-evolving landscape of innovation. Join her in exploring the evolving landscape of technology and innovation. Contact her at [email protected]

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LTS Group Signs MOU with Korea Virtual Reality Inc. to Foster a Strategic Technology Collaboration

Jul 4, 2024

4 mins read

LTS Group is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea Virtual Reality Inc., a prominent Korean company specializing in 3D spatial data authoring technology and metaverse platform services. The MOU signing ceremony was held at the headquarters of Korea Virtual Reality Inc., attended by officials from both companies, marking the beginning of a promising partnership.   Table of Contents Toggle A Strategic CollaborationSynergizing Strengths for Global LeadershipA Future of Innovation and GrowthAbout Korea Virtual Reality Inc.About LTS Group A Strategic Collaboration This MOU signifies a strategic collaboration between LTS Group and Korea Virtual Reality Inc., aiming to leverage each other’s strengths and expertise. The two companies will work together in various fields such as 3D spatial data generation, 3D spatial data labeling for AI learning, and the development of metaverse and VR software. This partnership is poised to enhance the competitiveness of both companies in the global market and drive innovative technology development. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea Virtual Reality Inc.   Synergizing Strengths for Global Leadership Korea Virtual Reality Inc. is renowned for its cutting-edge 3D spatial data generation authoring tools, while LTS Group brings extensive IT outsourcing capabilities to the table. By combining these strengths, both companies aim to reinforce their leadership in the global IT market. This collaboration is expected to yield significant advancements in AI, metaverse, and 3D spatial data labeling technologies. An authority from Korea Virtual Reality Inc. stated, “Cooperation with LTS Group will be an important opportunity to further develop our AI spatial data foundry technology and strengthen our position in the global market. We will continue to promote innovative technology development through close cooperation between the two companies.” Similarly, a representative from LTS Group commented, “This agreement with Korea Virtual Reality Inc. will be an important stepping stone for LTS Group to take a leap forward in the global IT outsourcing market. We expect to be able to provide higher satisfaction to customers in the AI era by combining the strengths of both companies.” A strategic collaboration between LTS Group and Korea Virtual Reality Inc.   A Future of Innovation and Growth With this MOU, LTS Group and Korea Virtual Reality Inc. are set to lead the way in innovation and growth in the global IT market. The collaboration is expected to expand into various fields, continuously driving technological advancements and delivering greater value to customers worldwide. Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this transformative journey and witness the groundbreaking developments that emerge from this powerful partnership.   About Korea Virtual Reality Inc. Korea Virtual Reality Inc. is a pioneering company in the field of 3D spatial data authoring technology and metaverse platform services. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, Korea Virtual Reality Inc. continues to push the boundaries of technology, providing advanced solutions to customers around the globe.   About LTS Group LTS Group is a leading IT solutions provider, specializing in offering comprehensive IT outsourcing services to clients worldwide. With a strong focus on innovation and quality, LTS Group is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge technology solutions that meet the evolving needs of the global market. — Website: https://ltsgroup.tech/  Tel: (+84) 96-238-7474 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lts-group-vietnam/  

LTS Group Achieves ISO 9001:2015 Certification: A Commitment to Quality and Excellence

Jun 27, 2024

We at LTS Group are thrilled to announce that we have officially achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification! This internationally recognized standard signifies our unwavering commitment to providing top-tier services and exceeding client expectations. But what exactly does ISO 9001:2015 mean, and why is it so important? Table of Contents Toggle What is ISO 9001:2015?Why is ISO 9001:2015 Important?LTS Group: Your Trusted Partner for IT Outsourcing SuccessLooking Ahead What is ISO 9001:2015? ISO 9001:2015 is the world’s most widely recognized quality management system (QMS) standard. It outlines a set of guidelines and best practices for businesses of all sizes to implement a framework for continuous improvement. By adhering to these principles, organizations can ensure their processes are efficient, effective, and aligned with delivering exceptional customer satisfaction. Why is ISO 9001:2015 Important? Earning ISO 9001:2015 certification demonstrates several key advantages for LTS Group and our valued clients: Enhanced quality: The robust framework ensures consistent quality across all our services. We meticulously evaluate and refine our processes to eliminate errors and deliver exceptional results every time. Increased efficiency: Streamlined operations and optimized workflows lead to improved efficiency. This translates to faster turnaround times and cost-effective solutions for our clients. Improved client satisfaction: A core tenet of ISO 9001:2015 is a focus on client needs and expectations. By prioritizing client satisfaction throughout our processes, we ensure a truly exceptional experience. Boosted credibility: Obtaining ISO 9001:2015 certification positions LTS Group as a leader in the industry. It signifies our commitment to excellence and inspires trust and confidence from our clients and partners. LTS Group: Your Trusted Partner for IT Outsourcing Success Achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification is not a one-time accomplishment; it’s an ongoing commitment to quality. We at LTS Group are dedicated to continually refining our processes, upholding the highest standards, and exceeding your expectations. We are confident that this certification will further propel us in delivering exceptional services and building long-term, successful partnerships with our valued clients. LTS Group Achieves ISO 9001:2015 Certification: A Commitment to Quality and Excellence Looking Ahead As we celebrate this significant achievement, we remain focused on our goal of continuous improvement. The ISO 9001:2015 certification is not the end of our journey but a stepping stone towards even greater heights. We will continue to refine our processes, invest in our people, and strive to exceed the expectations of our clients and stakeholders. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team, whose hard work and commitment have made this achievement possible. We also thank our clients for their trust and support, which drive us to maintain the highest standards of quality and service. LTS Group looks forward to a future of sustained excellence and growth, confident that our ISO 9001:2015 certification will pave the way for new opportunities and successes. ___ Website: https://ltsgroup.tech/  Tel: (+84) 96-238-7474 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lts-group-vietnam/

An Ultimate Guide to Native App Development for Enterprises in 2024

Jun 19, 2024

21 mins read

Mobile apps have become indispensable tools in our daily lives, serving purposes ranging from shopping and entertainment to productivity and communication. Given this reliance on smartphones, mobile apps are supposed to be high-performing, stable, and easy to use. To exceed users’ expectations, app builders are leaning towards native app development. Indeed, according to Precedence Research, the global mobile application market size reached USD 196.08 billion in 2023 and is projected to surpass USD 1,383.65 billion by 2033, experiencing a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.55%. Regarding quantity, there are a staggering 3.2 million apps on the Google Play Store and 1.9 million on the Apple App Store, underscoring the immense popularity of native apps. Understanding the prevalence of native applications, in this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of native app development, from its benefits, drawbacks, and cost, to its differences from hybrid and cross-platform approaches, along with detailed steps to build your organization’s native app. Table of Contents Toggle What is Native App Development?Native Android app developmentNative iOS app developmentNative vs. Hybrid vs. Cross-platform App DevelopmentHow to Decide on an App Development Approach?App complexitySpeed and responsivenessTime to marketCustomer reachDeveloper expertiseDevelopment and maintenance costsHardware accessApp securityHow to Create A Native App?Step 1: Conduct market researchStep 2: Decide on your app’s development pathStep 3: Develop your native appStep 4: Launch on app storesHow Much Does It Cost to Develop Native Apps?Benefits of Native Mobile App DevelopmentDrawbacks of Native Mobile App DevelopmentFAQ about Native App DevelopmentFinal Thoughts about Native App Development What is Native App Development? Native app development refers to the creation of applications tailored for particular devices and mobile platforms such as Android and iOS. Here developers utilize native programming languages of the operating system (OS) to design apps optimized for a single platform, be it desktops, smart TVs, smartphones, or other digital devices. Based on Statista’s latest data, Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS operating systems have effectively dominated the mobile market, accounting for 99.2% of total mobile OS usage in the first quarter of 2024. As we move further into 2024, it’s thus evident that mobile app development remains predominantly focused on building native apps for the Android and iOS platforms. Native Android app development Native Android app development means building applications specifically tailored for Android devices, primarily for distribution on the Google Play Store. To build these apps, developers employ programming languages such as Kotlin, Java, and C++. Google also provides a range of resources to IT professionals, including Android Studio – its official Integrated Development Environment (IDE), Android SDK, Firebase, and Android Jetpack. These resources collectively contribute to an environment conducive to simplifying the process of Android app development. Native iOS app development iOS native app development focuses on the creation of iOS apps for the Apple App Store. Unlike Android, iOS operates on a closed-source code exclusive to Apple’s hardware. As a result, developing and deploying iOS apps necessitates the use of a Mac device. The two main programming languages used in this process are Objective-C and Swift. A suite of software and tools is also supported by Apple itself, including iOS SDK, Swift Playgrounds, Xcode as the official Integrated Development Environment, and TestFlight for testing and deployment. Native vs. Hybrid vs. Cross-platform App Development Basically, there are three main approaches to developing solutions, regardless of types of mobile app: native, cross-platform, and hybrid. Here’s a quick comparison of these methods! Native app development: This approach entails building separate applications for each platform, such as iOS and Android, using platform-specific languages and tools. By doing so, software engineers can achieve optimized performance, seamless compatibility, and an enhanced user experience customized to each platform’s unique characteristics. Hybrid app development: Hybrid app development combines native and web solutions. Here developers integrate code written in languages like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript into a native app using plugins like Ionic’s Capacitor or Apache Cordova so that users can access native functionalities. Generally, these apps consist of backend code and a native viewer downloaded for displaying functions. With hybrid development, code is written once and can be applied across multiple platforms. Cross-platform app development: Cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Xamarin aim to create shareable and reusable code for developing apps across different operating systems. This method involves writing code once and reusing it across multiple platforms, thereby reducing development costs and efforts. While cross-platform apps offer some performance benefits over hybrid apps, they may not match the level of optimization and integration found in native apps. For more details, check out the table below: Factor Native App Development Hybrid App Development Cross-platform App Development Code reusability Limited reusability High code reusability (around 70-80%) High code reusability (around 80-90%) Development languages E.g. Java and Kotlin for Android. Swift and Objective-C for iOS. Web-based languages such as CSS, HTML, and JavaScript Platform-specific languages, including JavaScript, Java, React Native, and C# Programming tools AndroidStudio, IntelliJ IDEA for Android. XCode, AppCode for iOS. Ionic, Apache Cordova, and VisualStudio. React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, and Phonegap. Access to device APIs Full access to all device APIs and features Limited access to device APIs; depends on plugins for extended functions. Access to most device APIs, but updates may lag behind native Time to market Relatively long Faster thanks to reusable code Faster thanks to reusable code Examples Google Maps, Apple Music, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Spotify Instagram, Trello, Gmail, Salesforce, and Slack Airbnb, Bloomberg, Fox Sports, Skype, and Walmart How to Decide on an App Development Approach? When selecting an app development approach, it’s of great importance to strike a balance between user needs and your business constraints. To kickstart your organization’s evaluation process, start by defining your app’s target audience. Are they primarily dedicated-platform users, or do they span across different platforms? Do they belong to specific demographic or geographic groups? What are their motivations for downloading the app – work, education, entertainment, or other purposes? Once the target audience is identified, your firm should move on to consider the following 9 factors for a well-informed decision: App complexity For highly complex apps, native development is preferred. This is because, with this approach, developers can leverage tools like Android, iOS, and other system-specific Software Development Kits (SDKs) and APIs to meticulously code apps and have them function seamlessly on a particular platform. For simpler apps, hybrid or cross-platform development may be more suitable. While these two methods may not deliver ultra-high speeds, they can support rich media and provide visually appealing UI designs. Speed and responsiveness Native apps excel in performance, offering quick uploads and intuitive interactions with the platform’s UI design. Cross-platform apps can provide solid functionality and a native-like look and feel but may not match the performance of native apps. Hybrid apps generally offer satisfactory performance but may have inconsistent UIs. Time to market Cross-platform and hybrid approaches are ideal for rapid development, bringing close-to-native experiences without the need for extensive customization. Native development requires longer development cycles for each platform, making it suitable for apps with longer lifetimes and specific platform requirements. Customer reach Native apps are exclusively available on platform-specific stores like Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Cross-platform and hybrid apps can be distributed across multiple app stores, enhancing visibility. Hybrid apps also offer accessibility via web links, catering to users who prefer not to download apps. Developer expertise For broad audience targeting, native development often requires separate developer teams for different platforms. Cross-platform and hybrid approaches enable a single team to create a shareable codebase, boosting productivity. Native coding expertise is still required for customizing plug-ins and bridges in cross-platform and hybrid development. Development and maintenance costs Native app development typically demands more resources for both development and maintenance. However, it offers immediate support for new operating system releases and clear upgrade paths, which other approaches might lack. Hybrid or cross-platform development is the more cost-effective choice for companies operating on a limited budget. These methods allow for simultaneous development, testing, and updates across platforms, resulting in reduced overall costs. >> Delve deeper into mobile app maintenance: types, cost & best practices. Hardware access Native developers can directly access all device-specific hardware capabilities. Cross-platform and hybrid developers can utilize APIs and plug-ins to activate some hardware functions, but may not achieve the same level of access or speed. App security Native programming libraries provide tools for implementing built-in security features and debugging code. Cross-platform and hybrid apps have their own security configuration tools, but they’re perceived as more vulnerable due to their web-based nature. How to Create A Native App? Now comes the meat of the matter – how to develop native mobile apps. Explore the 5 essential steps below to help steer your app development journey! Step 1: Conduct market research First things first, your business should carry out thorough market research, competitor analysis, and budgeting. At this stage, stakeholders need to define the app’s concept and objectives meticulously to align resources effectively. It’s important to note that investing ample time and resources in this software development planning phase will lay a strong foundation for the development process later on. Another way your company might try to gain a solid start is to create and test prototypes. Step 2: Decide on your app’s development path After finishing researching, it’s time to select your application’s development approach. If your organization is comfortable with coding, opting for native app development tools specific to each platform is the way to go. Otherwise, exploring no-code native application development tools that simplify the app-building process is also worth considering. Step 3: Develop your native app The software development process varies depending on companies’ chosen method and available resources. Nevertheless, there are some fundamental tasks your business is expected to encounter, including: Designing the UI/UX Building desired features and functionalities Developing apps tailored for targeted platforms Ensuring a customized look and feel Thoroughly testing the app in dedicated environments to guarantee seamless performance Feeling overwhelmed by all the time and effort required? Outsourcing native app development services could be the solution! By outsourcing mobile app development to a team of seasoned IT professionals, your business can reap numerous benefits: Reduced costs: Developing a mobile app in-house demands significant expenses, including hiring developers, designers, and project managers, as well as investing in infrastructure and tools. Outsourcing to developing countries like Vietnam can bring substantial cost savings to the table, ranging from 30% to 70% according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Faster time to market: Outsourcing companies often follow established development processes and best practices, streamlining the workflow to accelerate the software development cycle. This results in quicker delivery of the final product to the market, giving your app a competitive edge in the saturated market. Access to diverse talent pool: Outsourcing provides access to a vast talent pool comprising skilled professionals capable of delivering high-quality, scalable, and secure apps tailored to specific business needs. Business resilience: Delegating app development enables your company to focus on core competencies and primary business goals, while external teams handle the technical aspect. Scalability and flexibility: Outsourcing service providers can quickly adjust team sizes to meet evolving application requirements, offering your organization’s scalability and flexibility as needed. In case you’re looking for a trusted partner providing native mobile app development services right now, don’t hesitate to reach out to LTS Group! Located in Hanoi, Vietnam’s primary tech hub, LTS Group boasts over 7 years of experience in providing comprehensive software development and testing services. With a successful track record of collaborating with more than 60 clients worldwide across various industries, we specialize in developing mobile apps from scratch or improving existing ones. Partnering with LTS Group guarantees your company access to a seasoned team dedicated to delivering functional and user-friendly native apps. Step 4: Launch on app stores Finally, it’s time to officially release your native mobile application to its designated marketplaces! For example, Android apps can be launched on the Google Play Store, while iOS apps are made available on the Apple App Store for users to discover and download directly. It’s of great importance to follow the submission guidelines provided by Google and Apple meticulously, ensuring compliance to avoid rejection. Once deployed, your app is ready to reach its intended audience and begin making an impact! How Much Does It Cost to Develop Native Apps? Based on the rates made public by Upwork’s freelance mobile app developers, the average hourly rate for a native app developer ranges from $35 to $150 or more. Assuming it takes about six months to finish the whole creation process for a robust v.1.0 app, we can expect the total cost would fall between $33,600 and $144,000. However, these figures are just estimates, and actual project costs may vary. Hourly rates might also fluctuate weekly based on project requirements and freelancer availability. Plus, the number of hours dedicated per week can influence project duration. All these factors will greatly impact the cost of building your company’s apps when hiring freelancers. Alternatively, outsourcing to a native mobile app development company offers significant advantages, including tighter project management, higher expertise from a team of experienced developers, and faster time-to-market. Depending on the complexity, additional features, platform, location, and business niche, the cost of outsourcing mobile app development can range from $10,000 to $50,000 for simpler projects and may exceed $250,000 for more complex ones. But, in general, the benefits of outsourcing are much more pronounced, making it an ideal approach for companies in the long run. Benefits of Native Mobile App Development The idea of having to use different programming languages for each platform might seem daunting, but many organizations still choose native app development for a reason. Check out the 5 key benefits of this approach for more insights! Superior performance: Native apps excel in performance, offering unparalleled speed and efficiency. Unlike hybrid or cross-platform apps, native apps don’t have intermediate layers, resulting in faster speeds, robust graphics support, and overall enhanced performance. Enhanced user experience: Built using platform-native SDKs, native apps maintain consistency in look and feel, ensuring familiarity for users and elevating their experience. In addition, native apps simplify and improve user interaction with features like robust in-browser caching, offline availability, and device-centric functionalities. Access to device features: Native apps can directly access a device’s hardware and software features, such as the camera, GPS, and sensors, enabling developers to create advanced, feature-rich applications that fully utilize the device’s capabilities. Fewer bugs: Fixing bugs in native apps is simpler compared to hybrid or web apps. Unlike hybrid apps that rely on cross-platform mobile development tools, native apps avoid additional layers that increase the likelihood of bugs. This streamlined approach creates smoother app performance, enhances user loyalty, boosts app reputation, and ultimately increases revenue. Better security and scalability: Native apps benefit from built-in security protocols of underlying operating systems, receiving quick releases, system fixes, and updates ahead of web and hybrid apps. Leveraging the robust infrastructure of dedicated Google and Apple tools also helps minimize errors or bugs. Moreover, native apps facilitate easier implementation of security measures like biometric and two-factor authentication, ensuring heightened security. Drawbacks of Native Mobile App Development Building apps is never easy, and native app development can be particularly demanding. Here are the 3 main disadvantages of this approach: No code reusability: With native app development, developers cannot use the same codebase across different platforms. This means that targeting multiple platforms requires separate code for each one, complicating the development and maintenance process. If your company’s resources are limited, this could restrict the ability to support various platforms. Longer development time: Developing the same app for different platforms, such as iOS and Android, means programmers cannot simply transfer features from one platform to another. Each platform requires its own development process, thereby doubling the time needed to implement features. High development cost: The need for separate development teams, lack of code reusability, and extended project timelines all contribute to higher development costs. For companies aiming to launch apps on numerous platforms, the budget can escalate significantly. FAQ about Native App Development What is native app development? Native app development means creating applications tailored for particular devices and mobile platforms such as Android and iOS. Here developers utilize native programming languages of the operating system to design apps optimized for a single platform, be it desktops, smart TVs, smartphones, or other digital devices. What are some examples of native apps? 4 notable examples of native apps are Spotify, LinkedIn, Google Maps, and Pinterest. What are some tools for native app development for Android and iOS? Tools for Android native app development: Android Studio IntelliJ IDEA Tools for iOS native app development: XCode AppCode What are the differences between native vs. cross-platform vs. hybrid apps? Native apps: Built with platform-specific, non-reusable code, offering optimal performance and access to device features. Cross-platform apps: Developed using a single codebase that runs on multiple platforms, enhancing code reusability and reducing development time. Hybrid apps: Combining elements of both web and native apps, built using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and embedded within a native container to access device features. Final Thoughts about Native App Development Native app development is the process of crafting mobile applications specifically tailored to platforms like iOS or Android. This approach brings significant advantages for businesses, including optimized performance, enhanced security, and scalability. While hybrid and cross-platform approaches may offer time and resource savings, they often fall short in delivering the same level of quality as native apps. With that being said, native app development can be complex, involving various steps and mastery of development tools. Additionally, adherence to app store guidelines, whether for the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, adds another layer of consideration. Therefore, to navigate this process successfully, it’s essential to have a dedicated and expert native app development team in place that takes full care of designing, developing, deploying, and rolling out the app in the corresponding app store. Ready to kickstart your native app development journey? Let LTS Group be your reliable partner today! { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What is native app development?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Native app development means creating applications tailored for particular devices and mobile platforms such as Android and iOS. Here developers utilize native programming languages of the operating system to design apps optimized for a single platform, be it desktops, smart TVs, smartphones, or other digital devices." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What are some examples of native apps?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "4 notable examples of native apps are Spotify, LinkedIn, Google Maps, and Pinterest." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What are some tools for native app development for Android and iOS?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Tools for Android native app development: Android Studio IntelliJ IDEA Tools for iOS native app development: XCode AppCode" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the differences between native vs. cross-platform vs. hybrid apps?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Native apps: Built with platform-specific, non-reusable code, offering optimal performance and access to device features. 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Software Development Plan Template

In the real world, projects have deadlines to hit, budgets to stick to, and requirements to meet. No matter what process you use to get work done, you’ve got to have a plan to ensure your software project stays on schedule for a successful delivery. 

Our software development plan template can help you put a clear plan into motion quickly and easily. Use this basic foundation to build out your process and track important tasks and milestones from research to deployment.

What is a software development plan?

A software development plan is simply a timeline of your project. It shows when each phase of your software project is scheduled to begin and end, as well as the steps required to complete each phase of work. 

A software project plan gives your development team a big-picture understanding of what it will take to get the job done on time and budget, including:

• Estimated time to complete work/sprints
• Important milestones, dependencies, deadlines, and deliverables
• Resources needed to accomplish each phase

Why is a software development plan important?

Most software developers use an Agile framework to get work done. And we get it: Agile makes it easy to ship a product and keep iterating on it. 

But it’s still important to have a plan. There are time frames around your work—even when you’re iterating—and that means your project needs a clearly defined start and end date. And someone on your team should always have an eye on the bigger picture to make sure you’re making progress on your goals. 

Using a gantt chart to outline your plan ensures important milestones, like approval or launch dates, don’t get lost in the rush and enables you to account for dependencies between tasks or work phases. It also gives you clear visibility into how work stacks up across all your projects so you can take active steps to keep your team from being overloaded.

Don’t worry: Formalizing your plan doesn’t mean everything’s set in stone. Plans are meant to be flexible, so feel free to adapt your plan to fit your team’s process, whatever that may be. For example, why not build Agile sprints into your gantt chart ? This hybrid approach allows you to:

• Foster collaboration and transparency
• Account for stakeholders in the process and create a more formalized feedback loop 
• Build approval and iteration cycles into your project plan

How to create a software development project plan

Now that you know why a software development plan’s important, let’s talk about how to build one. Here are some common phases most software projects include. Consider these key steps when developing your own project plan. 

Research and discovery

Before diving right into a complex software project, take time to understand the full scope of work and detailed requirements that will lead to a solid finished product. Talk to stakeholders, team members, and even potential users to get their take on how the finished product should function to meet everyone’s needs. 

Once you have a clear grasp on the scope and requirements, use a gantt chart to map out your project timeline and resource assignments. Regardless of your team’s workflow, you’ll need to account for people’s time and include important checkpoints for approvals in the project schedule. 

While some teams can jump into simultaneous design and development sprints, the design team typically needs to visually bring the idea to life before any coding can begin. Don’t forget to build time into your plan for collecting feedback and getting final approval on the design work from stakeholders to ensure a smooth and timely hand-off to developers. 

Environment setup

Does any groundwork need to be laid before development begins? Be sure it’s included in your plan. For example, you may need to schedule in time to set up staging, production, and/or QA environments—depending on what’s important to your team’s testing process. 

A good software development plan encompasses every step of a sprint, including:

• Planning the sprint work
• Running the sprint period 
• QA and testing
• Fixing bugs
• Stakeholder review

There’s no limit to the number of sprint cycles your plan can include, so rinse and repeat the process for as many iterations as you need. Just be sure you’re also planning time for retrospectives and backlog grooming between sprint cycles. 

Don’t forget to keep track of your backlog too! Add a backlog section to your plan so you can add tasks for functionality changes or new user stories as the project progresses.

Every software project is different, and the tasks you include in each phase of your plan will vary based on the work you’re doing. A template provides a great starting point and can be easily customized to fit your process and project needs. 

Free software development plan template

Ready to map out a timeline for your next software project? Give our software development plan template a try! This free gantt chart template gives you access to the following features to enhance your software project planning:

• Task scheduling
• Workload planning
• File sharing
• Team collaboration

Examples of software development plans

Flexibility is everything when it comes to software projects. With TeamGantt, you can view your plan in a variety of formats so it’s easy for anyone on your team to visualize tasks. 

Let’s look at some examples of how you can use TeamGantt’s different views to manage your software development plan. 

Visualize work phases—sprints included!—in a simple timeline format. Here’s a quick glance at a few helpful features you’ll find in the gantt chart view.

Drag and drop

The flexible drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to move things around on the schedule as needed if (and when) things change. Drag entire groups of tasks to quickly reschedule a sprint cycle. Easy as that!

Dependencies

Tasks may need to be completed in a particular order in your project plan. For example, you most likely won’t deploy anything before ensuring that you’ve done at least one round of testing.  Ensure work gets done in the right order with dependencies .

Call out key dates, deadlines, approvals, or deliverables in a project by using milestones , and hit your launch date right on schedule!

Duplicating groups

Need to add more sprint cycles to your plan? Simply duplicate task groups to save time on task setup. Then, drag and drop to reschedule it in your timeline.

Assign resources to tasks

Make sure everyone’s aware of how their work fits into the bigger plan by assigning teams and resources to tasks . 

Looking for a quick rundown of the project work? This view is easy to digest and shows you what each phase of the plan includes with expected delivery days. Use List view to check in at your next standup meeting. 

Use Calendar view to get an intuitive look at when work will fall on the monthly calendar. It’s a great tool for touching base with stakeholders so you can plan reviews around dates that work for them. 

Create a plan for your software development project with TeamGantt

Ready to get started on your next software project? We’ve created a free software development plan template for you in TeamGantt so you can jump right in!

Customizing the template is quick and easy, thanks to TeamGantt’s drag and drop simplicity. And since everything’s online, your whole team can collaborate on activities in real time.

Sign up for a free TeamGantt account today , and save time on project setup with this free software development plan template!

How to Write a Software Development Project Plan?

CEO/Co-founder of Jelvix. Expert in the development and implementation of operational policies and strategic plans. Since 2008 he has been dedicated to raising Jelvix company, supervising it and assisting its growth. C lients’ business goals are Jelvix’s top priority. Under his direction, Jelvix has grown from a startup to one of the global leaders in software development .

• Engineering

A software development plan describes the development process step by step. It covers planning, ideation, development, documentation, deployment, launch, and sometimes maintenance.

What’s a software development plan?

Software development project plans allow product owners, stakeholders, and developers to optimize development. The goal of a software development plan is to provide clear answers to the following questions:

• Which functionality is chosen to solve this problem?
• Which tasks need to be formed to develop the described functionality?
• What is the order of the feature development?
• Who is involved in the project?
• How is responsibility divided among the team members?
• What are the expected dependencies in the product?
• What quality metrics will define the efficiency of the project and the quality of the product?

If there’s a conflict or a team bumped into a dead end, they should be able to come back to the development plan and find the solution to their concerns. Preventing miscommunication and organizing the process is the main SDP meaning .

• How to create a software development plan

To write a software development plan, you need to get all participants of the project on the same page. You can organize remote meetings via Zoom or Skype to discuss the plan’s structure and the main points. 

After the whole team discusses preferences regarding the plan’s contents, assign a responsible manager who will take responsibility for the plan’s completion. Usually, at this stage, business analysts and project managers carry the most responsibility for the document. 

The structure of the software development project plan

The first step in writing a software development plan is establishing its key components. In this part, we will examine the sections of a typical software development plan, and give you a checklist about their contents with a sample of a  software development project plans . 

• Introduction

This section describes the purpose of the software development project and product. Your goal is to define which type of development the document describes, finalize the product’s overall concept, and your team’s main expectations. 

• The project description: product concept, goals for the development;
• The project needs: this section refers to business and functionality objectives;
• Abbreviations: you need to describe all the acronyms, special symbols, and certain forms, used in the document. 
• Project organization

A software development plan should depict the team’s structure, assign the managers of the project, and their responsibilities. You can create a table with all project participants and describe their functions in detail – here’s an excerpt from a software development planning template .

In this section, the team should describe any involved external groups – other teams and experts that developers will interact with. Typically, a software development project involves the following groups:

• Testing/QA . If testers don’t cooperate with developers at the beginning stages or participate actively in ideation and research, it’s better to refer to them as an external group rather than all-time participants. 
• Deployment . A software development plan should give detailed information on where operation teams come in and what their responsibilities are. It should also describe how developers and deployment specialists interact in their respective areas of expertise.
• Marketing : marketing specialists have to join a software development project at the initial and final development stages for sure. A plan should assign a go-to marketing expert, whom developers can contact at any point in the project.

The project organization section allows teams to increase transparency. All participants know who works on the project and are aware of everybody’s responsibility. If there’s a bottleneck, you’ll have no issues with tracing the responsible team member.

This section of a software development plan describes the stages of the software development project, estimates the workload , and provides estimates. 

• Estimates : predicted duration and cost of the project should be backed up with the team’s reasoning and circumstances for potential re-estimation.
• Project plan : here, the plan states an approximate schedule, the project’s main stages, and available resources. 
• Development phases : a project plan provides only a general description of the development process. You can go into more detail when describing each phase individually. For every phase, a team specifies its duration, objectives, and required resources. 
• Objectives : each phase and product iteration should be driven by clear goals. Make the list of objectives for every stage of product development . The product owner and the development team should keep these objectives realistic and clear to all project participants.
• Release plans : the team can give an estimate on the expected release date and specify its status (beta-, demo, alpha, etc.) 
• Resourcing : this section describes available and unavailable skills, hardware, and software. For each stage, there should be individual resourcing sections. 

The management section of a software development plan should be constantly revisited throughout the project. The team’s estimates, resources, and deliverables will likely change, and software development plans should reflect these shifts. However, it’s crucial to keep the first version of the document intact, so stakeholders can always point at initially planned objectives. 

Read more about the most common software development strategies and take a look at benefits and drawbacks.

• Project control

This section describes actions and approaches that the team and stakeholders will take to oversee the quality of the project and the team’s efficiency. It’s important to define your metrics beforehand, so all members know what they agree to. Here’s a checklist for planning project monitoring – and a software development plan example .

• Compliance with requirements : the software development team should offer strategies and tools that will be used to control the correspondence of the product to requirements. This includes user, business, functional, non-functional, and other software development requirements . 
• Budget and schedule monitoring : you need to set up time and budget constraints. If there’s a threshold that the team should be aware of, it’s best to notify everyone at the beginning of the project. Describe which tools you will use to ensure cost-efficient resource allocation. 
• Quality assurance : most development teams have their own tech stacks when it comes to code quality control . They should specify which tools they will use and provide the product owner with real-time access to all the reports.
• Management : the project manager should have a set strategy for updating stakeholders on the team’s methodology, cooperation approaches, and communication methods. 
• Risk prevention : the team should describe which tools and methodologies were used to evaluate the project risks. 
• Finalization : a software development plan should include a clear definition of done – a set of conditions that a product or feature should meet to be seen as complete. 
• Problem-solving : the management section should offer step-by-step algorithms for resolving conflicting situations. The team should offer a list of tools, deliverables, metrics, and mediators – all people and tools that will be involved in resolving an issue. 
• Improvement plan : the team should describe when they are revisiting strategies established in the plan and which improvements they will be focused on throughout the project. 
• Maintenance and support

After the development process is finalized, the cooperation between developers and the product owner rarely ends. Technical assistance will likely be required throughout the entire lifecycle of the product . A trustworthy software development partner understands this and documents this process in a software development plan – long before starting the project.

Having a detailed plan on maintenance, support, and documentation practices allows product owners to avoid vendor lock-in. The software development team should describe which information and assistance they will provide to the owner.  

• Testing : if a team handles QA and testing as well, ask them to provide a separate plan;
• Tech debt : developers should be held accountable for technical issues, found in their code. A development provider has to describe ways of handling tech debt and code quality control.
• Documentation : the development team guarantees to deliver particular documentation (including a full list with all the documents). 
• Maintenance and future releases: a software development plan can include the description of post-release cooperation between the product owner and the vendor. 

Setting up a clear algorithm for further support of the project ensures its long-term viability and scalability. 

Risks associated with software development planning

Obviously, things can go wrong as early as at the planning stage. Some aspects of development can’t be objectively defined before the team actually starts working on the project, whereas others require experience. If you’ve never written a software development plan, take a look at these most common software development risks . In our experience, these are the issues that typically sabotage planning – but the good news is that most of them can be avoided. 

• First estimates are highly approximate

A software development team should emphasize that there’s no 100% certainty in cost and time estimates. If a vendor promises to deliver everything at some definite time and on a budget, chances are, these experts lack experience in planning. A trustworthy team always takes margins of error into account.

The bigger the scope, the higher the risks 

The size of the project is another crucial aspect that influences the success of a plan. When a team is preparing documentation for large-scale projects, they only see a bird-eye view of the project. The more stages there are in the project, the more bottlenecks can occur. A dead-end on one development phase will cause a delay in another one. It’s a natural process that needs to be taken into account. 

• Plans can tackle wrong needs

A software development plan has to be revisited all the time. When developers and business analysts create software development plans, they still lack a full understanding of project specifics. During the projects, the team’s and owner’s vision of the project can change dramatically. It’s necessary to rewrite a software development plan and make sure it always suits the latest project needs. 

Plans do not correlate with users’ best interests

Make sure never to skip user research and direct communication. Defining your target audience and talking to potential clients is the key stage of successful software development planning. If the project’s scope and requirements didn’t undergo user validation, you risk developing an irrelevant solution.

All teams aren’t on the same page

If a software development team cooperates with external teams, they should also be included in the process of software development planning. Ideally, the goal is to organize a meeting where all members, internal and external, are present. Having at least 1-2 common calls will help you keep everyone in the loop and understand their vision of product development. Getting everyone up to the same speed early on will help avoid conflicts and miscommunications at the later stages.

Best practices for creating a software development plan

To succeed in software development planning, you just need to follow standard best practices. They are very feasible – you won’t need much time to incorporate them into your cooperation, but in the end, these details will make a difference. 

• The work is broken down into modules

Creating the entire plan in one sitting is an impossible mission. You will need to break the process down into manageable chunks. We suggest using a module system: define each section as a module and assign responsible team members. Set a deadline for each module and make sure that all teams are transparent about their work scope. 

• Research is shared real-time

Research is an indispensable process during software development planning. The results of market research, user reviews, interviews with focus groups, and analysis of similar projects should be available to all team members in real-time. If there are updates, all members must receive them simultaneously. 

• The plan is constantly revisited and modified

Software development planning is an ongoing process. The scope of priorities of software development is constantly evolving. Software development has to be relevant, which is why the team needs to revisit it on a regular basis. Be sure to keep the previous versions as well, just in case there’s a dispute during the project. You can use color codes to keep track of different versions – take a look at software development plan examples . 

The team asks for users’ opinions

After the feature has been defined as done, a team has to test it on actual users. The findings should be reflected in a software development plan. Interactions with users might inspire the team to shift focus from one developmental approach to another or highlight a need to acquire new resources. All these changes have to be documented in the plan.

Software development planning is just as impactful as the development itself. It sets a foundation for your product’s success and provides the team with an opportunity to introduce stakeholders to their methods, methodologies, and standards. It’s a long-term investment: a software development plan will be one of your main documents for years. You can even reuse approaches in other projects and for other products. 

At Jelvix , we take software planning seriously. Our goal is to provide clients with objective project estimates, risk evaluation, cooperate with potential users, and define tangible metrics for evaluating project success. Our business analysts and project managers would be happy to share their insights – just drop us a line with a brief description of your project’s scope. 

Use our talent pool to fill the expertise gap in your software development.

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• What’s a software development plan?
• The bigger the scope, the higher the risks 
• Plans do not correlate with users’ best interests
• All teams aren’t on the same page
• The team asks for users’ opinions

Software Requirements Specification Example and Guide

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• Software Development

How to Create a Software Development Plan for Your Dev Team

Embarking on the journey of creating software is akin to building a house; without a blueprint, the process can become a labyrinth of confusion. Let’s face it, a  software development plan  is your compass in the digital wilderness. It delineates the terrain, plotting a course from nebulous ideas to polished, functional software.

In this realm, precision is paramount. Lacking a detailed itinerary can send resources spiraling and timelines into chaos. You’re craving a master plan, and that’s precisely the treasure map we’re about to unfold.

Within these lines, you’ll unearth the bedrock principles of  project timelines ,  requirement analysis , and the venerated  Agile methodology .

By article’s end, anticipate having your own quiver of strategies – from  code repositories  to  testing strategies  – ready to launch any software venture.

Delve into the  architecture  of a plan that champions  quality assurance  and steers clear of  technical debt . Master the art of  sprint planning  and evolve beyond  bug tracking  to a symphony of  deployment schedules  that resonate success.

We’re not just building software; we’re crafting legacies in code. Join me, and harness the power of a plan that propels visions into reality.

What a Software Development Plan Is

Every software development project, whether following the Waterfall model or Scrum methodology , has some features in common.

The process starts with conceiving an idea. Next comes its design, realization, and programming, all crucial in the development lifecycle .

It should also encompass the later parts of the application’s life cycle, including software maintenance and user acceptance testing (UAT) .

In its simplest form, a software development plan is a timeline of the project . It showcases the scheduling for each phase, indicating when it starts and when it concludes. This planning aids in task tracking and sprint planning .

Zooming in on a phase reveals the different substeps, code reviews , and integration testing that it entails.

A software development plan communicates the approach that the project will undertake, the required  product roadmap software tools  and platforms, and the needed resources. This clarity is vital for the project team members, as well as clients and other stakeholders. You can use a flipbook software to document your plan, capturing elements like technical specifications and presenting it in an interactive way, so your team and clients can effortlessly grasp it.

The development plan answers the following questions:

• What problems does the software project aim to address and solve?
• What are the main tasks and feature prioritization ?
• What are the resources, source code management, and version control mechanisms that the project involves?
• When during the project are the resources and code repository needed?
• Which is the functionality chosen to address the problem?
• What is the estimated time to complete the project/sprints?
• What are the milestones , deadlines , deliverables , dependencies , and change requests ?
• Who are the ones involved in the project?
• What are the responsibilities of each team member and their role in system integration ?
• How is the quality measured? What are the quality metrics and quality assurance procedures?

There are various elements that managers may incorporate in the software management plan. These essentials include:

• The expected outputs of the software, emphasizing its software architecture .

The functionality details might remain undefined at this juncture. However, the plan should document the outputs and their relevance in the project scope .

• Who will release the software? This could be the principal investigator, project manager, lead developer, or someone responsible for continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) .
• The revision management procedure, which encompasses the software development process and its iterations.
• The license for each output, ensuring proper software maintenance .

Want to give your career a chance? Check out this course from IBM.

The Full-Stack Cloud Native Application Developer Professional Certificate program by IBM is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in starting a career in software development .

With 10 courses covering a wide range of technologies and tools, you’ll gain practical skills and knowledge , work on hands-on projects, and build a portfolio of applications that you can deploy on a cloud platform using Cloud Native methodologies. No prior experience is necessary, and you can earn college credits upon completion.

How to Write a Software Development Plan

To construct an effective software development plan, it’s vital to understand its importance and how it fits into the broader software design and architecture landscape.

Below are the most common phases of a software development project, often seen in both Agile development and the Waterfall model . Use them as a guide when detailing the phases and elements of any project.

Analysis and Planning

After a client puts in a request for the development of software, the management team, including those familiar with project management and Scrum methodology , sits down to plan. These are some important elements to consider:

• Alignment . How does this project fit in with the company’s mission, goals, and overall software requirements specification ?
• Resources . Does the company have the human, software tools , and platforms to achieve project success?
• Scheduling . How does this project align with the development lifecycle , timelines of other projects, and goals?
• Cost and Budget estimation . How much will it cost? And is it aligned with the project’s resource allocation ?

Get all the involved departments together , ensuring task tracking and sprint planning . This includes developers, project managers, security, quality assurance teams, and other stakeholders. Using a product planning software tool is an excellent way to manage all this, ensuring adherence to coding standards and maintaining a clear documentation .

Define The Goals

When defining the goals of the project, specify intentions, visions, and preferred endpoint . Such clarity makes it easier to predict the outcome of the project, both for the client and the company. This definition stage is crucial for setting a proper project scope . Something that is often overlooked leading to project scope creep, a major project plan risk that could have been easily avoided.

Defining the goals is also essential to write a realistic, concise project plan that accounts for software maintenance and user acceptance testing (UAT) phases.

Software should automate certain tasks, boost productivity, streamline processes, and align with the chosen functionality to address problems. The exact goal and how it fits into the development phases should be clear.

With that in mind, define how to quantify the success of the project, considering milestones , deadlines , and deliverables . Many managers make use of a Gantt chart or even source code management tools to visualize and track this part.

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Sample Software Development Business Plan Template PDF

Software developer business plan sample.

Do you want to start a software development business and you are looking for a software development business plan sample? Software development business is a business that deals with developing application that would be used with system or phone.

In this article, I present you a software development business plan sample that you can use as a guide to create a business plan for your software development business.

Here is a sample business plan for starting a mobile and PC software development company.

Need to write a plan for your venture? Download a FREE Business Plan PDF Sample to develop a template for your own startup.

BUSINESS NAME: Sandracast Software developer

Executive Summary

• Our Products and Services

Vision Statement

Mission Statement

• Business structure
• Market Analysis

Sales and Marketing Strategy

• Financial Plan

Sales Forecast

Sandracast software Developer Company is a software company that has fulfilled the entire requirement for starting a business in New York, United state of America. The business will do all within the law to fully carry out all it operations. And we are set to offer the best services to our clients.

Stanley Cassandra Cynthia will be the owner and the CEO of Sandracast software developer company. She has contributed a total of $350,000 towards starting the business, while plans have been made to secure the remainder from the bank to complete the total startup capital of $500,000.

Our Product and Services

Sandracast software developer is a system software developer in New York, United State which will be especially interested in providing its services for client not only in New York or the United state alone, but throughout the world. We have made plans that will actually make this possible and presently we are equipped beyond reasoning to start a nice business. Below are some of the things that highlight our preparation:

• Purchase of computers and laptop which are using the latest software updates in the world.
• An unlimited internet supply that would make us keep working without interruption.
• A 24hours Electricity source that would not aid our productivity.
• Comfortable environment for staffs to carry out their activities.
• Well furnished office.

With this set in place we know our services will not be altered. Our headquarter will be in New York, United state.

Our services will be based on Developing system applications which may include games, and other utilities application that will be used by both the system and phone.

Our vision in the software development company is to attain the height of best software producers in the industry, to also be the leading developer when it comes to updating our applications.

Our mission is to be able build and develop standard application which will be made available on all platform. These platforms include the Windows, Android phones, Apple amongst others. We are ready to take the software world by a storm.

Business Structure

Due to the strong and intense competition in the market and the importance of software to the system, Samdracast will only be employing computer scientist, software developers and some computer engineer who are good and have a beautiful C.V showing applications or software they have previously worked on.

Market Analysis Market Trend

To develop mobile and system applications expertise, commitment, and great sacrifice is needed so as meet the high demand for up to date application in the world. The world has so many developers and the secret to their success is staying relevant. This is what we are preparing to do.

Target Market

Our target market includes:

• Computer training centres.
• The general public also included.
• Software Engineer.
• Governmental Industries.

Our business will be greatly promoted by our great customers who have received the best services from us.

Since our success depends more on proper and good marketing strategies, below are some of the tools we will use in marketing our company:

• Online advertisement, this would be used judiciously in marketing our company, especially since most users will be using either a system or a Smartphone.
• Social media, most of our customers would be captured by advert sponsored on social media like Facebook, Instagram amongst others.
• Our company would be greatly broadcasted on the Television.
• We would use both Billboards and flyers to inform the world about our industry.
• We would also us the Radio service to spread the gospel about our company.
• Training at selected institutions would also be used to market and sell our products
• The Newspaper would also be used to advertise our company.

Financial Plan Source of Startup Capital

To really make our mark, we need more than enough resources materially and financially to begin with. As of present we have been able to realize a total sum of $350,000. In other to complete the remaining fund which amounts to $150,000 we would obtain bank loan.

Below are the sales forecast for our software developing company that is Samdracast software developer. This forecast is for the first three years of operation. This is clearly based on credible statistical data which was obtained from the industry.

First Fiscal Year $380,000 Second Fiscal Year $650,000 Third Fiscal Year $1,000,000

This article contains a software developing which bears the name, Samdracast software developer. The business will operate from New York, in the United State. It will be owned and headed by Stanley Cassandra Cynthia.

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• Best Business Plan Software

10 Best Business Plan Software In 2024

Updated: May 3, 2024, 5:15pm

Writing a business plan not only helps you stay on track as you start a new business but it can also help you secure funding. You can create one from scratch with a simple template, but business plan software often has features to make it easier, more nuanced and overall better. It could even make the difference between bringing investors on board and going it alone. So, Forbes Advisor found the best business plan software that has the features you need at an affordable price.

• Best Project Management Software
• Best Construction Project Management Software
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• Best Task Management Software
• Best Kanban Software

The Best Business Plan Software of 2024

Forbes advisor ratings, methodology, how to choose a business plan software, benefits of business plan software, frequently asked questions (faqs), next up in business.

Featured Partners

From $8 monthly per user

Zoom, LinkedIn, Adobe, Salesforce and more

On monday.com's Website

Yes, for one user and two editors

$9 per user per month

Google Drive, Slack, Tableau, Miro, Zapier and more

On Smartsheet's Website

Yes, for unlimited members

$7 per month

Slack, Microsoft Outlook, HubSpot, Salesforce, Timely, Google Drive and more

On ClickUp's Website

$9.80 per user per month

Salesforce, Adobe, Miro, Netsuite, Quickbooks, SAP

On Wrike's Website

• Wrike: Best overall
• Smartsheet: Best for goal management
• LivePlan: Best for financial forecasting
• Aha!: Best for roadmapping
• Bizplan: Best for beginners
• IdeaBuddy: Best for ideation
• iPlanner: Best for no-frills business planning
• Enloop: Best for automatic business plan creation
• AchieveIt: Best for consultant groups
• Business Sorter: Best for teams

Best Overall

Starting price

Free; $9.80 per user

Team messaging

Roadmapping

Wrike is a project management (PM) tool that works well as business plan software because it gives you tools to help you gather and compare your data. Wrike makes it easy to start your business plan with its collaboration tools, business plan templates , drag-and-drop interface and goal management features. Another benefit of using Wrike to build your plan is that you see your ideas and goals from multiple views: Gantt chart, calendar or board views.

There are a few reasons why it’s a good idea to use Wrike for your business plan. First, you can map out exactly what your business goals are in a project, invite teammates to collaborate and message business partners to discuss everything. Plus, you can export your data when you’re ready to put all the details into a presentation to hand over to potential investors.

Wrike offers a free plan that’s good for putting your vision down in task and project form, but you may want to upgrade to a paid plan to invite collaborators, get custom workflows and add more views and automations. Paid plan pricing ranges from $9.80 per user, per month, to $24.80 per user, per month, both billed annually.

Learn more: Read our full Wrike review .

Who should use it:

Wrike makes it easy for any new business owner to create a business plan and collaborate with others on the financial and operational goals. Plus, it provides value after you finalize your business plan because it’s a good pick for a PM tool.

• Roadmapping ability
• Multiple views (Gantt, calendar and board)
• Business plan templates included
• Goal management via projects and tasks
• Free plan available
• Affordable plans
• No pitching tools
• No financial tools

Best for Goal Management

$7 per user, per month

(billed annually)

(added cost)

Using PM software like Smartsheet is a good idea for starting a business plan because it includes all the tools you need to collaborate and plan across multiple teams or stakeholders. It’s especially good for real-time goal management. Get your ideas in place, go over market and competitive research from other teammates and finalize everything together.

Smartsheet won’t help you write your business plan, but it does give you a place to compile all the data and then you can use one of its free business plan templates. As you figure out your milestones, you can invite an unlimited number of viewers to see how it’s going. The only downsides are that Smartsheet doesn’t have a native messaging app (you’ll have to use an integration), only commenting allowed and there’s no free plan.

Paid plans from Smartsheet cost $7 per user, per month, or $25 per user, per month (billed annually for both). The low-priced Pro plan limits you to 10 editors, but the Business plan allows unlimited editors (but it also has a three-user minimum).

Learn more: Read our full Smartsheet review .

Smartsheet lets you make changes in real time, so it’s a good option for those who are just starting to piece together a plan and looking for a way to manage ideas and goals before finalizing a business plan.

• Discounts for nonprofits available
• Automations on every plan
• Popular integrations allowed on low-tier plan
• 30-day free trial
• No free plan
• Only 10 viewers allowed on low-tier plan
• Three-user minimum on Business plan

Best for Financial Forecasting

$15 per month

One of the strongest cases for using LivePlan to create your business plan is its financial forecasting. It isn’t just a single feature, rather it’s a tool that lets you turn your balance sheet and cash flow statements into charts, graphs and what-if situations to help you show possible investors the best- and worst-case scenarios for your business.

There are two plans available: Standard or Premium (there is no free plan). The low-priced plan, which costs $15 per month (billed annually), doesn’t limit your contributors or guests and includes instructions to help you complete a business plan. It even includes the financial forecasting features and more than 500 sample plans to get you started.

The Premium plan costs $30 per month (billed annually), but it’s full-featured. You get a milestone planner and industry benchmark data, which can save you research time. Another timesaver: At this plan level, you can integrate QuickBooks or Xero to add your financial data seamlessly.

LivePlan is business plan software that includes prompts and accounting software integrations, making it great for new business owners that want easy financial forecasting.

• Unlimited guests and contributors
• Export finished business plan as PowerPoint presentation
• Includes step-by-step instructions with prompts
• 35-day money-back guarantee
• No free trial

Best for Roadmapping

$59 per user, per month

Every business plan starts with strategy and Aha! makes it easier to map out what you plan to do to get from point A to point Z. Aha! is primarily roadmapping software that product teams use to plan features, products or bug fixes. Any business in any industry can use it to shape ideas and strategy into plans and milestones.

Much like product development, business plans have phases and Aha! is ideal for the first few phases of business planning. Although you won’t find a scorecard feature with Aha! Roadmaps, you can score and prioritize your business vision and goals. Finally, you can present your plan to viewers (stakeholders) before you create your official business plan and secure funding.

There are three plans from which you can choose: Premium at $59 per user, per month; Enterprise at $99 per user, per month; and Enterprise+ at $149 per user, per month, all billed annually. The only reasons to upgrade to either Enterprise plan is if you want to add on automation, development tools and custom worksheets and tables.

Aha! Roadmaps is a great tool to help you strategize and get your ideas for your business in one place. You can use the presentation feature to share your business’s roadmap on your way to creating your finalized business plan.

• User-friendly interface
• Ability to score and prioritize ideas
• Share roadmaps with others
• Expensive for business plan creation
• Has a bit of a learning curve

Best for Beginners

$20.75 per month

Bizplan is specifically for business plan creation. It offers a guided walkthrough of each section you need for a complete business plan to use for funding or pitching to partners. Plug in the information, from your mission and goals to financial forecasts, and Bizplan will do the math and create the visual charts you need to get your point across.

Bizplan is very easy to use because it includes prompts and questions that take away the manual effort of figuring out what you need, so you can simply focus on providing the answers. When you’re satisfied you included all the data needed, you can invite stakeholders and consultants to look it over and add comments for approval or change requests. A unique feature of Bizplan is it gives you access to Fundable, a crowdfunding platform, on which you can share your business plan to try to generate funding.

Monthly pricing costs $29, but you can opt for annual pricing that averages to $20.75 per month. If you expect to need business plan software for much longer than a year, there’s a lifetime access option for $349 flat. All plans come with all features and access, including business courses, business planning tools and a route to investors.

If it’s your first time creating a business plan, Bizplan is a great choice to help guide you through all the sections you need to include in your plan for potential investors and partners.

• Monthly, annual and lifetime plans
• Unlimited business plans
• Unlimited collaborators
• Step-by-step instructions
• Modular, drag-and-drop interface
• Online business courses
• Access to Fundable
• Financial forecasting
• No roadmapping tools
• Lack of customization
• Only integrates with Xero

Best for Ideation

Free; $6 per month

IdeaBuddy is a basic business plan tool that lets you start for free, which is great for beginners who aren’t quite ready to create a plan. The idea plan feature is great because it lets you lay out your business plan on one page, giving you an overview. There are built-in sticky notes for brainstorming and custom templates to start you off with a bit of a guide (or just create your own).

Another great feature of IdeaBuddy is the whiteboard, which lets you drag and drop various elements, draw on it and collaborate with others to come up with your perfect business idea. That feature is locked behind the highest tier, so you’ll have to pay $22 per month (billed annually) to use it. However, that plan also gives you up to 10 collaborators and 10 ideas.

Other plans are more limiting: The free plan is for a solopreneur who has a single idea to work on and the Dreamer plan is $6 per month while the Founder plan is $12 per month, both billed annually. The Dreamer plan is also limited to one idea, but you get one collaborator while the Founder plan gives you up to three ideas and three collaborators. Plus, you’ll get access to the paid plans to export and share your plan with viewers.

IdeaBuddy is just what it sounds like: It’s best for ideation. You can create a full-fledged business plan, but this program is best suited for the very beginning stages of business creation.

• Free forever plan
• Affordable paid plans
• Monthly and annual billing options
• Easy to use
• Export to Word, Excel or as PDF
• Flexible whiteboard feature
• May be too basic for some users
• Doesn’t offer much guidance

Best for No-Frills Business Planning

$55 for one year

Business plan software doesn’t have to be fancy to be effective, and iPlanner certainly fits that bill. It’s been around since 2007 and it doesn’t appear to have updated its look or functions. The browser-based business planning software gives you a place to build out your business model and a business plan.

There are two different software options from iPlanner: Strategy Designer and Startup Framework. The Strategy Designer costs $59 for three plans, but it’s a one-time fee for the year. Choose it if you want a more condensed and no-frills kind of business plan. You can export it to Word or as a PDF.

The iPlanner Startup Framework is $55 per year, which gives you one plan to create. It’s similar to the Designer version, but you can create a business model, separate financials and build a team with various roles (view only, project owner or consultant).

iPlanner is best for those who have created a business plan before and don’t need hand-holding or fancy features.

• Business modeling option
• Samples on site for demoing
• Export to Word or as PDF
• No free plan or trial
• Not a lot of guidance
• Outdated interface

Best for Automatic Business Plan Creation

$11 per month

Enloop is a unique business plan app that generates a business plan for you based on information you provide. You can edit the text Enloop writes for you to make it more specific or change numbers in your financial forecasts as you see fit. Enloop offers a scorecard that updates as you change things, finish sections and make your business plan overall better.

Then Enloop compares your financial forecasts to industry standards, so you don’t have to do the research. The software shows you up to 16 ratios, such as sales, inventory and payables and then shows you what the average is for your industry as it compares to your financials. Enloop then gives you either a pass or fail so that you can modify your plan before you put anything into play.

Although Enloop doesn’t offer a free plan, there is a free trial for one week so you can see if it’s right for you. The Detailed plan costs $11 per month while the Performance plan is $24 per month, both billed annually. The biggest difference between the two plans is how many financial ratios Enloop analyzes: The Detailed plan only gets three ratios and Performance plan gets 16.

Enloop is best for those who have some experience creating business plans, not necessarily for those who are starting from scratch as there are no brainstorming or strategizing tools included. Use Enloop to create business plans quickly.

• Three business plans for each tier
• Generates a business plan automatically
• Compares your financials to industry standards
• Seven-day free trial available
• Scorecards indicate odds of success
• No messaging team members through app
• Not meant for strategizing

Best for Consultant Groups

$80 per, user per month

Not everyone wants to go it alone when creating business plans and consultants are often hired for industry expertise and business plan creation. AchieveIt offers generous plans that won’t limit the number of plans and projects you can create, so you can work on multiple business plans at one time.

Specifically, AchieveIt is planning software meant for medium to large teams to work on projects simultaneously. For business planning, it’s a great option for those strategizing and analyzing a variety of data points with multiple people—all of AchieveIt’s plans have a minimum requirement of 20 users.

Plans are pricey, especially when you consider the user minimum. Core, the lowest-priced plan, costs $80 per user, per month, and Plus is $90 per user, per month, both billed annually. So, it’s going to cost $1,600 per month, at least, which puts this software out of reach for most small businesses.

AchieveIt is a good choice for large businesses that need planning software and for business plan purposes, it makes most sense for established consultant groups.

• Unlimited plans and projects
• Collaboration tools
• Goal management
• 20-user minimum
• Pricier than most competitors
• Integrations at added cost

Best for Teams

Business sorter.

$10 per month

When you’re ready to craft your business plan, it can help immensely to have business planning software like Business Sorter. The cloud-based app makes it easy for you to start a plan and kicks off your business planning with a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats). Then, you can follow a guide to build your plan with each section divided by areas. After which, you can choose cards to help steer you toward the right objectives and goals for your business.

You won’t find roadmapping tools in Business Sorter, but the card system keeps you on track (and even gives you goals you may not have considered). As you prioritize goals, you’ll find steps you need to take that guide you to completing your business plan. Every plan allows multiple users, so you can collaborate on what takes precedence.

Plans start at $10 per month, billed annually, and allows you to have three users on board. For 10 users, the Medium plan costs $30 per month, billed annually, and if you need 30 users, the Large Team plan will run you $80 per month, billed annually. It’s one of the most affordable business planning apps for teams.

Although Business Sorter doesn’t offer a messaging tool, it’s still one of the best options for teams. You don’t have to pay per person, but you can add multiple people to the account to work on creating business plans.

• Easy-to-use business plan templates
• Free trial available
• Card system helps guide your goal setting
• Create up to 40 business plans
• Plans limit user count
• No messaging in app
• Very limited integrations

Forbes Advisor carefully considered a variety of software to choose the right business planning apps for this ranking. We compared features, ease of use, costs and collaboration. We ranked each company based on these factors using a 5-star rating system. The highest possible score is 5 out of 5 stars.

Here are the details of the factors we considered:

• Features: We looked at general and unique features of each app and gave more credit to software that provides better functionality for business planning.
• Cost: Regardless of your business size, cost is an important factor to consider when you’re adding new software to your tech stack. We awarded a higher score to those that offer free trials, free plans and affordable options.
• Ease of use: Programs that have a steep learning curve aren’t likely to be adopted by you or your team, so we chose software that’s user-friendly. Drag-and-drop interfaces or guidance through features and tools are helpful for any team.
• Customer reviews: An important factor for any software is how the general public views the program. We considered other ratings and studied the pros and cons listed by other users of the software to help us with our ranking.

Technically, you don’t need business plan software, but using it can make the entire experience easier and you’ll have better odds of creating a solid plan. You don’t even have to choose software made specifically for business planning—project management software is great for roadmapping and goal management. Aside from looking for software that includes financial forecasting, you’ll want collaboration tools, a user-friendly interface, affordable plans and ways to brainstorm or roadmap for your business idea.

One of the most important sections of any business plan is the financials. If you haven’t already done the research and calculations, look for a business plan app that automatically calculates these numbers for you.

Collaboration is also key if you’re working with a partner, team or consultants. At the very least, look for software that lets you invite viewers to see the work you’re doing, but the best business plan software lets users leave comments or work on a plan in real time simultaneously.

Ease of use is nearly as important as pricing. You’ll need software you and your team will use without spending too much downtime learning how to use it. It also makes no sense to choose a cost-prohibitive tool for creating a business plan—most of the software Forbes Advisor suggests is appropriate for small business budgets.

Finally, depending on the stage you’re in of business planning, you may want a tool that offers features that make it easy for you to create a roadmap for your business. If you’re in the early stages, these tools can help with brainstorming, prioritizing goals and managing your goals before you finalize your actual business plan.

Most business plan software helps guide you through the creation of a business plan with prompts, suggestions or tips. So, using business plan software is especially helpful for new business owners who don’t know all the sections to include to increase the odds of getting funding or luring a partner to join your operation.

Business plan software can also automate some processes, such as calculations of financials or comparisons of those finances with industry standards. Some business planning apps give you whiteboards or editable cards you can use for brainstorming. Other features may include scorecards to let you know if you’re on the right track or roadmapping tools to give you an overview of your business plan.

The biggest benefit of business plan software is that it helps you organize and prioritize all of your goals so you can more easily analyze and then compile the data you need to create your business plan. After that, you can create your plan from scratch or if you’re using business planning software made specifically for crafting plans, you can piece it all together and then export it as a PDF or to Microsoft Word.

Which business plan software is the best?

Forbes Advisor suggests Wrike, Smartsheet or LivePlan to help you write your business plan. Depending on the stage you’re in of business planning, one tool or another may be better for you.

How do I create my own business plan?

There are several steps you should follow to create a good business plan, but there are different types of plans you can create. Every business plan starts with a strong executive summary and includes your business goals and financial forecasting. Follow a guide on how to create a business plan to ensure you include all the sections needed.

What are the different types of business plans?

There are many types of business plans you can create and the one that makes the most sense for you depends on your situation. A standard business plan is meant for when you need to present to investors or a bank for financial help. A lean plan doesn’t include all the summaries and background information a standard plan does, so it’s more suitable for established business owners. There are also one-page business plans that are more like pitches. You may also run across operational, tactical, strategic and contingency business plans. We created a simple business plan template that you can use to get started when launching a side gig or small business.

Is business plan software secure?

As  with most types of software, the best business plan software programs offer many levels of security. When choosing this type of software, you want to look for security features that include multifactor authentication (MFA), intrusion detection, the monitoring of user activities, documentation that shows frequent security updates and patches, data encryption and privacy protection.

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Amy Nichol Smith spent more than 20 years working as a journalist for TV and newspapers before transitioning to software and hardware product reviews for consumers and small businesses. She has been featured in publications such as L.A. Times, Tom's Guide, Investopedia and various newspapers across the U.S.

Software Development Plan: How to Build One in 2024

Creating a legitimate software development plan is by no means an easy task. The planning process is especially challenging when it comes to complex projects on a grander scale. Why do software projects fail you ask? Most of these failures can be attributed to failed software project planning. Some of the more specific reasons are the following:

Absence of a proper software development plan.

Flawed communication., no leadership and accountability., poorly defined goals and solutions to a problem., lack of user testing and feedback., need to create a custom software solution, software development plan - a prerequisite for project success.

The software development plan, sometimes referred to as SDP, describes all processes, step by step, that will be required to bring the project to life, covering aspects like planning, ideation, development, documentation, deployment, and sometimes maintenance. The main idea behind the software development plan is to gather as much information as possible before actual work begins in order to exercise maximum control over the project. It describes the approach the development of the software will undertake and should be viewed as the primary plan to direct the development effort.

As the saying goes – “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” There are a number of different “Software Development Life Cycles” (SDLC) in popular use today, each offering their own structure and approach to the challenges of transitioning from a project’s beginning to its end. Depending on requirements, different methodologies will be used. Each offers a unique approach, so choosing the right one depends heavily on not just the expected end result, but also on the parameters by which the software project plan will be executed. The most popular among them are:

• Waterfall Model
• Agile Model
• V-Shaped Model
• Iterative Model
• Spiral Model
• Big Bang Model

The Essential Components

There are a multitude of software development planning tools that find popular use across projects of all shapes and sizes. These universally appraised pieces of software help project managers organize and manage all of their tasks in an efficient manner. The most popular among them are the following:

Gantt chart

Calendar based project management tools, timeline based project management tools, work breakdown structure (wbs), status table, house of quality (hoq).

Check out our article “ Toptal vs Upwork: Where to Find the Best Software Developer? ”

Time Proven Practices to Remember

Using the aforementioned project management tools will undoubtedly assist the development process in a major way, but there are a number of time proven practices that should be considered mandatory for any project that is expected to be a success from start to finish.

Target audience

Lay out a strategic plan, use proven project management methodologies, have clear communication channels, invest in design, identify risks and prepare for them, testing, testing, and more testing, experienced developers.

Bringing all of these points together is, of course, the software development plan, which will be used by:

Project manager

The project manager , who will use it to plan the project’s timeline and resource requirements, in addition to tracking the general progress in accordance to the software development schedule.

Project team members

Project team members, who will use it as a guideline for what they need to do, when they need to do it, and what other tasks await completion.

Remember, knowing how to plan a software project is certainly good, but it won’t matter if the development team isn’t up to par with the task.

Have a project in mind?

The fundamentals of a software development plan.

Since the software development plan will serve as the backbone of the entire project from start to finish, it must contain as much valuable information as possible. The purpose here is to outline the entire plan for developing, modifying, or upgrading software, while writing down details on how each step during the SDLC should be approached. A proper software development plan must include:

• The scope of tasks that are to be undertaken during development;
• The timeline for the aforementioned tasks and the project deadline;
• The sequence of task completion and their levels of priority;
• Task assignment and the people responsible for it;
• Plans for managing various aspects of the project such as budget, schedule and quality control plans, risk management plans, etc.

The Introduction.

Project overview., project organization., project management., technical processes and documentation..

For someone inexperienced in this matter, this will all seem overwhelming at first, and that is perfectly alright considering the complexity of an SDP. If you are looking to start out with a more simple approach, you can find a software development plan template for a more comprehensible approach to the subject.

The Software Development Life Cycle

Now, viewing the software development plan out of context is never a good idea if you wish to gain an understanding of the project’s fundamentals. In order to see the big picture let’s review a broader topic – a Software development life cycle where planning plays a very important role. This way you will be able to comprehend the scope of the project on a much higher level. So let’s discuss:

• Assessment and Planning;
• Software Requirements Specification;
• Development;
• Quality Assurance;
• Delivery and Support.

Not all of these steps are required in full, should the client wish for only a certain part of the software development plan to be completed, but it is best that all elements are handled by the same group of people working in coordination with each other and familiar with each other’s work processes. Having two separate teams develop the plan is a big step towards undermining the entire project. Software development planning is no easy feat, so having team members with previous planning experience working on it is highly recommended, no matter the project scale. Let’s take a more detailed look at each of these steps.

Get inspired by our article “ Onshore vs Nearshore vs Offshore Software Development “

1. Assessment and Planning

It all starts with some brilliant idea that someone has. It can be represented by a document several pages long with a detailed description of the project (project development plan), or it can be represented by a couple of paragraphs describing the general concept.

At this stage, it is crucial that we fully understand the scope of the project and what the client wants to achieve, which is why talks are held, either by phone, email , or in person in order to clearly formulate the requirements for the project, and to figure out the fundamentals behind everything. This part is arguably the most important as it sets the stage for all others and will determine the flow of the project.

Should you choose to work with us, it is at this stage that we clarify the clauses of the contract, approve the payment procedures and all the important details of our collaboration on the project. Once that is done, a preliminary estimate of the software development plan is prepared. If it suits the client, final details are sorted out and the software requirements specification stage can begin.

2. Software Requirements Specification

In order for the development team and the client to have an identical understanding of what the end result, purpose, and functionality of the software should be like, an analyst is included at this point in the project.

The primary goal of this stage is to translate the client’s requirements for the project into a language the developers will be able to understand. The list of tasks for the business analyst varies depending on the scale of the project and the degree of elaboration of the initial requirements, but in general, it boils down to the following tasks:

• Define the client’s business objectives and goals;
• Clarify, formalize, and agree on the project’s requirements;
• Define and agree on the project’s priorities based on requirements and time constraints.

It is often a mistaken belief that the business analyst’s work ends after the preparation of all project-related documents and the start of software development. This might be true in the absence of changes during development, but since that is very rarely the case, our team is eyes and ears on the project from start to finish. A crucial member of the team and the project, the business analyst is the link between the development team and the client, helping answer any emerging questions from both sides.

It is much cheaper to work out all functionality details behind the software during the software requirements specification stage rather than the development phase, as newly identified requirements can significantly increase the software development timeline and costs. If there is no dedicated business analyst on the project, this can lead to multiple project edits and shifts halfway through the project, due to misunderstandings between the client and the developers. Delays, overbudget spending, and a mismatch between the results and the initial software development plan goals are some of the reasons you want to have a highly qualified business analyst on the team. Having one will allow the client to control how the project’s requirements are communicated to the development team.

Over the course of the business analyst’s work, the following software development deliverables tend to arise, aiding the team in the development process:

• A vision of the project, defining the boundaries of the software development plan;
• The scope of work for software development, allowing the team to determine responsibilities;
• Diagrams, used to visualize various work processes and levels of progress;
• Non-functional requirements, mainly those concerning software performance and user data safety;
• User documentation and guides, explaining how the software is to be properly used.

Another crucial stage of the software development life cycle, the goal of the design phase is to make the product enjoyable, understandable, and user-friendly. At this stage, the design team is in active interaction with the business analyst. Together they design the product based on the aforementioned set of elements. Clients can have a design premade before they contact us, or they can start from ground zero. It should be noted that allowing the team to create the UI/UX from scratch will give the development team freedom to create a visual masterpiece that aligns with the project’s goals and functionality requirements.

After the business analyst has thought over the logical elements behind the software, the design team begins work on the graphical interface, bringing the visual aspect of the software to life. The designers are responsible for how the interface will look and react to user actions. At this stage, the team creates screen maps, a detailed prototype, and various graphical elements, taking into account the multitude of possible scenarios that the software will be used for. If the time allows for it, and should the client request so, an interactive prototype is created as a preview of the final product and its functions, demonstrating reactions to various user actions and the general layout.

4. Development

After the team has a general understanding of the main principles behind the software’s design, the computer programmers can start work on the longest stage of the software development project plan. Their task is to animate and code the layouts in order to obtain an interface with which the user can interact. Interface elements are coded in, logically and functionally linking screens to each other using HTML, CSS, various programming languages, frameworks, and libraries.

While working on the client-side of the user interface, the frontend team prepares the project for the backend developers. The backend team’s task is to implement the logical elements of the software. In other words, these are all the processes that happen outside the user’s browser and computer. The backend includes things like the administration panel, data management, and data transfers.

Another element the back-end developers take responsibility for is to make sure that responses from the server always successfully reach the user, and that all blocks of code function as desired. They are also required to create a convenient and safe environment for filling and updating software content.

As the code is written, our developers make sure to constantly monitor the quality. High-quality code speeds up development. Time spent on debugging and fixing errors is substantially reduced. Our dedicated development team uses a variety of tools to sustain the high-quality workflow we build our reputation on, finding bugs and errors as early as possible, eliminating any potential future challenges.

Agile software development is preferred by the team, working in “sprints”, set periods of time by the end of which all completed work is to be reviewed. Depending on the specifics of the project or the customer’s preferences, we can adhere to various code design standards, keeping the code consistent and easy to read.

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5. quality assurance.

Testing is necessary to ensure that all elements of the software perform as expected. This is the part where QA engineers check compliance with design, technical specifications, prepare test documentation, conduct manual and automated testing. All of this is required to check the state of various software elements, improve user experience, and to minimize bugs created during the entirety of the software development process.

QA engineers start their work when the client initially sends in the requirements for the project, or at least the parts for which we are responsible. Before testing the software, QA engineers analyze the documentation, clarify requirements, and participate in discussions during all software development stages.

Save budget costs.

Ensure user data and fund security., protect the reputation of the company., 6. delivery and support.

When the product is tested and in excellent working condition, it can be deployed. If there is a necessity for it, we deploy the project on a server, which we help the client choose and set up its configuration. After the release, we can continue working together by offering support through maintenance or system updates, should the client wish so.

Software project management is a highly complex multi-stage process. These stages can intersect or run parallel with each other during development. Starting out right and building a model software development plan is key to the project’s success. If you have ideas you wish to realize, let us know about them, and we will start making things happen together. We will bring to the table with us the highest software development standards, the latest technical solutions and expertise, organizing all work processes in a manner that will inevitably lead to products of the highest quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have an idea to build an app.

Transform your idea into a successful product with the DOIT Software team.

What is the purpose of planning a software project?

Planning out the entire software project in its early stages of development will allow you to establish reasonable plans for performing software engineering, software design, and overall project management. When you plan on investing money and time into an idea, it makes sense to have an idea of where you will go and how you will do it.

How do you start a software development project?

Starting out right can be a challenge of its own. Any software project should begin with a software development plan. You must define what the development process will look like, which tools and technologies will be used, as the initial stages of brainstorming and planning set the stage for the entire project. Having documentation that can be referred to as a guideline will make everyone’s life easier, and the project – less prone to unexpected issues.

How do you write a software development plan?

Start by clarifying your goals and intentions for the project. Once that is done, document aspects such as required resources, budget, and time parameters in order to have an outline understanding of the scope of the project. Next, make sure you have the right people for the job, as software development requires a multitude of different skill sets. Finally, choose a methodology for software development and progress tracking that best suits the project.

What are the steps of the software development process?

The development process consists of six primary steps. In order, they are the following: assessment and planning; software requirements specification; design; development; quality assurance; delivery and support. All are equally important, with each step building on the previous one. Planning these steps out in advance and having the right people handle each step are essential to finding success with a project.

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Top 30 software business ideas for start-ups in 2024.

Radhika Vyas

Radhika is a Content Writer who enjoys learning new things and writing about them. You can almost always find her with her adorable Labrador retriever, Cooper if she isn't spending time with her friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

First, you can create a software product or service to address a specific market need, providing a foundation for your business. By choosing Turing for software development, you benefit from our expertise in building robust and scalable software solutions tailored to your business requirements. Additionally, Turing's pool of elite software developers ensures that you have access to top talent for creating innovative products that can give your business a competitive edge.

The process of developing an idea into a product or service that customers want and bringing it to market is known as startup product development or software product development.

Some easy tech businesses to start include:

• Web design and development services.
• App development for mobile devices.
• Social media management and marketing.
• IT consulting and support services.
• E-commerce store setup and management.
• Online tutoring or e-learning platforms.
• Digital marketing and SEO services.
• Graphic design and branding services.
• Computer repair and maintenance.
• Software as a Service (SaaS) development.

These are just a few examples, and by selecting Turing for your software development needs, you can benefit from our extensive talent pool and domain expertise to start and grow your tech business successfully.

For your search strategy, here are a few resources you can tap into - Turing.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Google+, GitHub, Quora, Glassdoor, Hackathons, Meetups, and developer events.

Meetups, IRC chat rooms, Hackathons, and dev conferences are all places where you might find the developers you're looking for. Put your company's message out there, along with the fact that you're looking for developers in these circles and the problem you're attempting to solve.

To start a software startup with an idea, begin by thoroughly researching your target market and validating the demand for your product or service. Develop a minimum viable product (MVP) to test and gather feedback from potential customers. Create a solid business plan, including a monetization strategy and a marketing plan. Secure funding through bootstrapping, angel investors, or venture capital. By partnering with Turing for your software development needs, you can leverage our extensive resources, expertise, and talent pool to transform your idea into a successful software startup.

Well, this is a highly subjective question that is heavily influenced by the size and complexity of your product. The level of competition in your domain's market. The timeline you have in mind for bringing your product to market, as well as a number of other criteria.

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How to create an Agile project plan for software development

There’s a quote along the lines of, “failing to plan is planning to fail,” which gets variously attributed to folks like Ben Franklin, John Wooden, Winston Churchill, and others. The thing is, they’re all right — it’s way better to have a plan than to simply hope for the best.

If you’re using Agile methodology for your next software development project, having a plan can also prevent you from leaving critical decisions for your future self to make (read: project chaos).

Want to learn how to create an Agile project plan? Our guide explores the core concepts, benefits, and step-by-step process to boost efficiency and collaboration in your next kickoff. (Don’t worry, we’ll explain all the fancy Agile jargon.)

What is Agile project planning?

Agile project planning is a component of Agile project management . This method uses a flexible and iterative way to break a project into manageable parts and keep improving the plan by getting regular feedback and working with others. 

The Agile planning process adopts a unique structure called a “planning onion” to visualize its many layers. Let’s explore each one:

• Vision : A project plan for Agile software development begins with the definition of the “why” behind your project and the problem it aims to solve. This step focuses on the overall goals and objectives rather than detailed requirements.
• Roadmap : After defining the vision, you outline the project’s major milestones, the sequence of key features or functionalities to deliver, and rough timeframes.
• Release plan: Before each development cycle, you outline functionalities to deliver in the coming weeks or months. This step considers dependencies between features and sets realistic development timelines.
• Iteration: Traditional project management has stages. Agile breaks work down into short, time-bound cycles called sprints. They typically last 1-4 weeks, and you plan specific tasks for that period.
• Daily stand-ups : In 15-minute meetings, your team shares progress, identifies roadblocks, and adjusts plans as needed.

Related: A guide to the Agile development lifecycle

Why you need an Agile software development project plan

When you create an Agile project plan for software development, you can expect these benefits:

• Reduced upfront planning overhead: Agile lets you avoid a lot of planning in advance to focus on what matters most — getting a minimum-viable product (MVP) into your users’ hands sooner. This streamlined approach frees up valuable resources within your development team.
• Early issue identification: Lengthy development cycles can lead to nasty surprises down the road. Agile’s frequent testing and delivery cycles allow you to detect problems in advance, enabling problem-solving in your team and reducing the risk of major setbacks.
• Increased adaptability: An Agile project plan empowers your team to adjust priorities quickly, keeping you in sync with the dynamic changes in the software development market. This flexibility ensures your application stays relevant and meets the evolving needs of your users.
• Improved collaboration: According to a study by PwC , 70% of executives from Agile enterprises with high-performing product teams agree that IT professionals and lines of business in their organizations must work together. This methodology encourages open communication and transparency during development, bringing the team together to work toward a shared vision.

Related: How Mural supports Agile, from learning to development

Agile project planning steps

Follow these six essential steps to create an Agile project plan for your software development:

1. Enable collaborative goal-setting

Setting clear goals should be your first Agile project planning step. Why? It puts everyone on the same page for iterative development and adaptation. So gather your Agile team for a brainstorming meeting and identify the main objectives. Some questions to get started:

• What problem are you solving for the ideal user?
• If you could only deliver three features in the first iteration, what would be the must-haves to create a positive first impression?
• Looking a year ahead, what are the biggest opportunities you anticipate in the market?

Use a program increment (PI) planning template to encourage open discussion and documentation of goals, features, risks, and opportunities. Agile software development project plan templates provide frameworks for setting high-level goals and breaking them into actionable milestones. Use them to define your user personas and to assess your vision against competitors.

Related: Pave the way to a successful strategy with product KPIs

2. Create a product roadmap

Think of your product roadmap as a visual guide to your long-term development journey. It outlines key deliverables, features, and timelines to guide the project effectively. This step should be collaborative, incorporating input from the product owner, developers, and key stakeholders.

The product roadmap also helps you prioritize features based on their strategic importance and market needs. Remember: Like everything in Agile project management methodology, this structure isn’t set in stone. As you gather feedback on your prototype and learn more about the users, you can adapt the framework to deliver the most valuable features at the right time.

Related: The 5 steps to creating a resilient product roadmap

3. Make your Agile meetings truly Agile

Are you still having meetings with long presentations and boring monologues? Please, don’t do this to yourself — or your team members. Enjoy our checklist to make your daily standups and sprint planning efficient, focused, and collaborative:

Checklist for (truly) Agile meetings

• Start on time with an ice breaker to set the mood
• Use an online whiteboard to share the goals for the day
• If the team is hybrid or remote, integrate virtual meeting tools ‍
• Encourage collaboration with interactive tools like voting and commenting
• Use a daily scrum meeting template to streamline the workflow
• Clearly define the next steps and set deadlines
• Respect time limits — please cut the blah blah blah

Related: How to run efficient Agile meetings [+ templates]

4. Manage your product backlog

A product backlog is a catalog of tasks, features, and requirements that you need to address during a software development project. An effective backlog helps you break down features into user stories. These stories are smaller, easier tasks that show a single part of functionality from the end user's point of view. An example of a user story could be: "'As a user, I need to receive notifications on my mobile device to stay updated on account activity." This story and tasks like integrating push notifications would be part of your product backlog.

Best practices to keep your backlog on track include:

• Prioritizing features: Focus on value delivered to users and business goals.
• Embracing INVEST: Use high-quality stories that are Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimatable, Small, and Testable.
• Refining your backlog : Keep your project team updated with the most valuable tasks.

5. Monitor your project progress

Regularly revisiting your plan and incorporating feedback is crucial for success — and it saves you from the panic of having work-in-progress everywhere. This step involves user testing, sprint review meetings , and ongoing communication with product managers and business leaders.

The main goal of tracking your progress is to present the functionalities, features, or user stories that your team has completed. Agile project planning software can help you organize all your next steps in one place. By collecting feedback on your work done, you improve project efficiency and refine future iterations.

Related: The 13 best Agile project management tools 

6. Run a sprint retrospective

A sprint retrospective is a valuable opportunity to discuss what went well, your team’s challenges, and how you can improve processes for the upcoming sprint. Retrospectives help you:

• Detect communication gaps
• Assess project efficiency
• Brainstorm solutions
• Optimize your workflow
• Make a truce with those you argued with

Use Mural’s online retrospective board and keep your team aligned, motivated, and effective in achieving project goals.

Start your project plan for Agile software development with Mural

With Mural, your product strategy runs smoothly at every step of the software development lifecycle. Our Agile project management software lets you strategize, brainstorm with your team, assign tasks, and track progress in one visual collaboration workspace.

Streamline your planning workflows and processes with our library of Agile templates , and encourage the team to add notes, stickers, and images to your boards. Mural integrates with Jira and Azure DevOps for two-way synchronization, so you can visualize your sprints, dependencies, and backlog in real time, keeping everyone on the same page.

‍ Start creating your Agile project plan for software development with Mural. Sign up for free.

About the authors

Bryan Kitch

Tagged Topics

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How to master project management for software development

July 9, 2024 - 10 min read

How can you ensure your software projects are delivered to brief and can adapt to unexpected challenges, user feedback, and market development?

Software projects can be complex and unpredictable, which is why you need a solid grasp of the software development lifecycle, a suitable framework, and a powerful work management platform at your disposal. Project management systems for software development usually prioritize oversight, because that’s what managers need to lead projects effectively. But the best project plans, management frameworks, and software tools benefit entire teams, by: 

• Creating transparency and showing how each task fits into the bigger picture 
• Showing the task-tracking data teams need to plan their upcoming work 
• Centralizing project documentation and assets
• Providing a platform where the team can note and discuss issues 
• Aligning the work they produce with other stakeholders like quality assurance and product marketing teams

In this guide, we’ll explain the challenges that make robust project management systems so important in software development. Then, we’ll break down the phases of a software project and show you how the most widely used frameworks can help you master each stage. 

We’ll also show you how project management software — specifically the top features of our work management tool , Wrike — can help you manage new and ongoing projects in the way that best suits your team.

Project management for software development: Key challenges

The challenges software teams face depend on the nature of the project, but there are some common issues that can put pressure on project managers and their teams.  

• The projects can be more complex. Software products can demand a high level of technical expertise, and they often have to fulfill a long list of criteria before they can be sent for approval . 
• The work can be more unpredictable. Software projects can have high levels of risk and uncertainty from issues like bugs, integration problems, requirements volatility, and unforeseen technical problems.
• The landscape can change quickly. Rapid technological changes, advancements in the market, feedback from stakeholders, and new requirements can all mean the original plans have to be altered mid-project. 
• The environment can be fast paced , due to the speed of change and the urgency of requests. This makes communication and efficiency even more critical to project success. 

In essence, software development teams often have to be more adaptable than other departments at a company in order to mitigate the unique risks. But to protect themselves from the rest of the standard project management pitfalls they face, it’s still vital to work within a structure that ensures quality control, welcomes feedback, and creates accountability. 

This robust framework comes from two key areas: 

• Understanding the phases that every software project should go through to ensure nothing is missed
• Defining an approach to the project that makes sense for the whole team and the assets they need to produce

Let’s start by breaking down the phases typical for software development project management. 

The software project management lifecycle: Tackling the 5 phases

Software engineering and development projects typically fall into five lifecycle phases : initiation , planning , execution , controlling and monitoring , and closure . 

When you view the software development lifecycle (SDLC) in these distinct phases, it’s easier to create, execute, and evaluate a project plan that streamlines your work — no matter what additional project management methodology you call on later. 

1. Initiation

Project initiation is usually the manager’s responsibility. During this phase, information is gathered for the project charter document, which serves as the business case for the project. It lays out the facts, explains why the work is meaningful, and creates a project plan that can be approved and referred back to later. 

A project charter for a software team updating an existing product might include: 

• The project benefits , like generating new business, addressing new use cases, retaining customers, and contributing to company-wide goals, like establishing a reputation as innovators in the industry
• The anticipated risks , like technical difficulties causing a delay or a new competitor reducing the company’s market share
• The project budget , including the pricing of the tools and project management platforms they plan to use
• The milestones , like due dates for a prototype, beta testing, the creation of promotional content in collaboration with the marketing team, and a final milestone for the product launch
• Identify stakeholders and team members who could be approached for roles like lead developer, UI/UX designer, or customer support specialist

See more detailed examples of project charters here: Project Charter: Guide With Examples and Template .

Risk management during project initiation 

There are two primary risks during the initiation phase: 

• Neglecting the groundwork necessary for a successful project
• Failing to communicate the project’s advantages in a way that gets the charter approved

Measuring a successful project initiation

By the end of this phase, the project manager should have a high-level understanding of the project’s goals, requirements, and risks. 

If the manager can:

• Show the clear objectives of the project
• Prove the work is feasible
• Decide on metrics or KPIs to measure the project’s success 
• Present a realistic timeline 
• Implement the tools and build the team to do it well

They can safely move on to the next phase of the project. 

2. Planning

The project planning phase takes the objectives laid out in the charter and creates a detailed roadmap . The planning phase is still mostly down to the project’s management team. They’ll complete the foundations, start to assemble more staff, and prepare to share the project plan so the work can begin. 

For example, if the project charter for the software update was approved, the project plan could include: 

• An executive summary 
• A detailed project timeline
• Further information about the project scope
• A plan for communications and documentation 
• Details on quality assurance  
• Contingency plans 
• Concrete information on resource allocation , delegation, and task management systems

This phase culminates in the kickoff meeting , where management presents the project plan, introduces the team, and invites the questions that can create a smoother project start. 

Risk management during project planning

The anticipated risks during the planning phase are similar to the initiation. In the rush to start work, it’s possible to overlook steps or processes that will become vital later. 

For example: 

• Failing to consider potential delays or create contingency plans could lead to future bottlenecks.
• Assigning tasks without assessing the capacity and skills of the team can mean reassigning tasks in the middle of the project. 
• Launching into the project without identifying the first action items can make it harder to start on the right foot. 
• Overlooking the Q&A section in the kickoff meeting can make it harder to clarify expectations and get the team on the same page. 

Measuring successful project planning

When the concerns are ironed out, the feedback has been heard, and the team is on board, this stage of the project can be considered complete. The team can start the software development process with clear accountability and expectations, and the project manager can trust in the framework and the communication methods they’ve decided on.  

3. Execution

After the project is launched at the kickoff meeting, the team begins working on the assigned tasks. 

Now, the role of the team is to prioritize and complete their work. Their roles also involve effective communication, sharing the latest versions of resources, feeding back on areas for improvement, and continually updating the tools they’re using to track task progress . 

The manager’s role now shifts to providing leadership and clarity. For example, during the execution phase, they’ll likely: 

• Provide the team with the resources they need , like tools, action items, and links to the project plan
• Build momentum by helping remove the roadblocks and ensuring the project team can complete the work to schedule

4. Controlling and monitoring

The controlling and monitoring phase is the next phase, though it should go hand in hand with the execution phase. Once the workflow is established, the team continues to complete their tasks and send them for approval. 

Whether your team tackles a list of tasks set at the beginning of the process, addresses them as they arise, or saves tasks in a backlog to work through in a sprint cycle, controlling and monitoring is the longest phase of a project. 

Remember, the structure of this phase — and the project management solutions you choose — can be customized depending on the work the team has to complete. 

On the other hand, a team building a new app from scratch will probably see their tasks move backward as well as forward in their workflow. This is because they’re learning more, trying new approaches, and getting feedback from their stakeholders. Here, Agile project management practices (which we’ll explain in more detail later) can help manage the work to be done. 

During this phase, the project manager continues to coordinate and support the team, adjusts the project plan if necessary, and takes responsibility for the outputs being delivered on time and on budget . 

For example, the project manager might: 

• Track the team’s performance over time and compare their progress to the original plan 
• Address risks and bottlenecks by reallocating resources, reassigning tasks, or providing additional support
• Hold status meetings or communicate project updates in another form 
• Create ongoing reports about the team’s performance to inform their decisions

Risk management during execution, controlling, and monitoring

Software development projects can have different risks than other types of work. For example, while a house-building project could be derailed because of materials shortages or inclement weather, software projects encounter bugs, cybersecurity issues, or changes in requirements as a result of stakeholder feedback. 

That said, risk mitigation during the software project management process is still a case of identifying issues and finding the best way to course correct. 

The development team at JERA puts this into real terms. With the right tools in place, JERA’s team leaders find it easier to identify the projects that are falling behind schedule, follow up, and identify the cause.

We spoke to Tomonori Sato, a Unit Manager in the ICT strategy department, about his experience. Sato’s team works in Wrike, using real-time visualization features like time tracking, Kanban boards , and Gantt charts to maintain the overview they need to manage the risks to their project success.

In the past, we couldn’t see the current situation until the report came up in Excel, so we were always lagging behind. Now, we can take action before the project goes up in flames. Tomonori Sato, Unit Manager in ICT Strategy Department

Measuring project progress successfully 

There are several ways to measure success as your team completes the bulk of the project work. For example, a project manager could monitor (and share): 

• The percentage of the subtasks completed, approved, or live
• The likelihood of meeting the milestones along the project roadmap and the number of milestones remaining 
• Status reports on productivity, like the number of hours that have gone into a task vs. the hours originally planned

Then, when all the tasks have been approved, the project can move on to the final stage. 

At the end of the controlling and monitoring phase, the deliverables are accepted and the software team moves into the closure phase. 

This phase is particularly important for software teams with ongoing project cycles rather than a one-and-done deliverable because it focuses on honing your approach for future projects.

During this phase, the team members evaluate the work and their experience of the project process, identify what worked well, and look for opportunities for improvement. Meanwhile, management hands over the finished project and ties up the loose ends. This can include: 

• Taking inventory and storing the files associated with the project 
• Sharing the results with the team or other stakeholders
• Asking for feedback and assessing the learnings from the project
• Thanking the team and celebrating their achievements

Risk management during project closure

Just as the risk in the initial phase was skipping the proper planning and preparation, the final phase of the project can be compromised if you rush through the evaluation and miss the important lessons. 

Again, development projects are unique, and the way you report on your final data should fit the way your team has worked. But creating reports — and sharing them with your team and stakeholders — is an effective way to measure the results, identify areas for improvement, and set up to tackle larger or more complex projects in the future. 

Read more: Project Management Reports: Examples and Writing Tips

The software development lifecycle can come with some unique challenges, especially for complex projects. But whatever your workflows look like, breaking your plan into these five distinct phases can take you from initiation to delivery more smoothly and help build a culture of continual improvement. 

Now, we’ll turn to some most common project management frameworks to help software teams approach each phase successfully and create a roadmap that works for them.

Software project management: Choosing the best framework for your team 

Because of the rapid changes in software development and the wide range of jobs developers tend to undertake, there’s a wide range of methodologies for visualizing and working through the steps described above. 

For example, some teams need an approach that prioritizes collaboration and leaves room for spontaneity, but others work better with a fixed structure suited to repetitive tasks and exacting sets of criteria.  

Whatever your preferred approach, the methods we describe here can anticipate problems, clarify roles, ensure accountability, gather learnings, and identify areas where you can adjust your project management style to serve your team better. 

Agile project management frameworks 

We’ll begin with the most popular Agile frameworks because this methodology started with — and is still widely used by — software development teams. 

Agile workflows emphasize flexibility, collaboration, and continual improvement. Plus, the iterative approach allows software teams to respond quickly to change and deliver high-quality, innovative solutions to their end users. 

Whether you prefer to use one Agile project management tool for your project or implement the methodology across every aspect of your work, there are four key principles to keep in mind: 

• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools 
• Working software over comprehensive documentation 
• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation 
• Responding to change over following a plan

Agile project management: 

• Works cyclically , with a backlog structure that suits the way tasks are created and completed during software development. For example, releases of new products or updates become projects, which are divided into shorter “sprints” with predefined items.
• Creates space for collaboration , both within a team and with the client or customer. This encourages the teamwork it takes to build the best version of the product. For example, the tasks in the backlog can be inspired by user stories your team collects. 
• Focuses on evaluation and improvement for future projects, with a review stage for every sprint. 

Within Agile, there are further subgroups of project management styles, which are also widely used across the world of software engineering. 

Scrum is a relatively simple Agile framework that most teams can implement. Scrum teams generally work in short sprints (two to four weeks) where the team tackles a backlog of tasks. 

Throughout the sprint, the team meets daily in a “scrum” to update each other on their progress, identify issues as they arise, and request the resources they need.

2. Extreme programming (XP) 

XP is another offshoot of Agile with more scope for change during a sprint. If work hasn’t started on a feature in the backlog, for example, it can be swapped out. This is designed to enhance software quality and make it easier for teams to adapt to their customers’ needs. 

Why Scrum and XP frameworks work for software teams

Scrum frameworks:

• Focus on clearing roadblocks , which can speed up development and testing 
• Prioritize communication and accountability to keep teams on the same page 
• Bring more flexibility to project plans , which suits new approaches and unexpected issues

Note: Our work management platform, Wrike, includes a sprint planning template to help structure your sprints, prioritize work, and hold an effective retrospective at the end of each iteration of the development cycle.  

3. Kanban method

With Kanban boards , cards representing tasks move through columns representing the stages of a workflow. These boards centralize teams and provide a visual way to represent capacity and task progress.

While Kanban started with paper cards moving across a physical board, Kanban software creates and assigns digital cards with detailed briefs, attached files, and a record of the comments and discussions your team has had around the tasks. 

Why Kanban methodology works for software development

Kanban methodology makes it easier to: 

• Visualize sprint backlogs (with cards in an initial “backlog” column), and achievements your team has made during a sprint (with cards in a “complete” column)
• Move tasks freely between different statuses , so the method can be applied even if your software team’s workflow is typically non-linear
• Gauge your team’s workload , as the location of the cards offers an at-a-glance overview and can even help you identify bottlenecks as they start to develop

Note: Wrike includes a Kanban software template . Switching your workspace to Kanban view gives you an instant overview of where your tasks are in your customized workflow.

Sequential project management frameworks

Sequential methods are a more traditional way of streamlining project management. They tend to begin with a fleshed-out plan for the deliverables the team wants to create and a list of the fixed, connected, and chronological steps needed to reach that goal. 

While the project manager always needs to spend time on the initiation and planning phases, this is extra important for a sequential method, as there’s much less scope to adapt the project plan later. 

4. Waterfall 

A Waterfall framework is one of the simplest project management styles to get your head around. 

Typically, the manager gathers the project requirements in the initiation phase and plans the workflow to achieve the goals. During implementation, the team begins working through the steps in the plan, testing each element as they go to make sure they can move on to the next phase.

This creates a project with a predictable timeline, and it’s very easy to repeat a task using the same outline later. 

5. Critical path

Like Waterfall, critical path frameworks acknowledge that some tasks can’t be started until the previous task is complete. Stringing these dependent tasks together — for example, by visualizing them in a Gantt chart — shows the team the “ critical path ” to signing off on the deliverables.

 6. Critical chain project management 

Critical chain project management (CCPM) helps the project manager make more accurate decisions by adding resource availability to the critical path and building time buffers around the essential tasks. 

Note: With Wrike, you can easily view the critical path within your team’s project timeline. Simply open Gantt Chart view in your workspace, click on the menu button, and select Critical path . Any task where a delay to one task would push the project deadline turns red. 

When sequential methodologies can work for software teams

For some teams, a sequential methodology can: 

• Help project managers to focus and allocate resources to the most important work 
• Show teams how their work fits into the bigger picture , while still making the most important goals clear
• Ensure predictability as the team works toward the outcome, including a more accurate capacity assessment from removing the need for WIP limits that can become necessary with, for example, a Kanban structure

Pitfalls of sequential frameworks

Software teams can work successfully with sequential project management techniques if their deliverables have a clearly defined functionality. For example, methods like Waterfall can suit software jobs with well-documented requirements, or “mature” technology that’s already well understood. They can also work for small or short-term projects where all the team needs is a way to ensure they’ve checked the boxes before signing off. 

However, these methods might not be well suited for software teams with complex workflows, simultaneous tasks, or teams who are creating entirely new software. 

Specifically, Waterfall can: 

• Lack flexibility to adjust the plan when the team discovers something new
• Cause feedback from users and stakeholders to disrupt the project framework , rather than fuelling progress

From simple Kanban tools like Trello , to complex workspace systems like Jira or Microsoft Project, there’s plenty of project management software that can help you implement some of these project planning methods for your team. 

In the final section of this piece, we’ll look at some of the features of our platform, Wrike. These features are widely used by project managers and software development teams. With easy setup and an intuitive user interface, you can start using these features in your tailor-made Wrike workspace today. 

Build the perfect project space for your development team with Wrike 

Wrike is a complete, customizable work management tool with a host of project management features to benefit project leaders and their teams. 

Here, we list some of the best. 

Unrivaled task and workflow management 

Wrike’s user-friendly workflow management software builds tailored, repeatable workflows for your tasks. You can track your tasks in detail, visualize your priorities, and maintain control of your projects.

As Wrike tracks your development tasks, the data on your progress, the assignees, and the approval status are tracked and translated into the workspace views you build for your team.  

Process automation 

While the end results are often innovative, development teams are also up against a host of repeatable tasks. Wrike’s groundbreaking automation systems create rules, triggers, and auto-approvals to accomplish these time-consuming tasks more quickly and push your project team toward their goals. 

From creating dynamic forms to automate task intake, to instantly notifying team leaders when a new fix is ready to be approved, Wrike’s automation can boost productivity and remove the friction from all your project processes. 

Risk monitoring 

Resource management 

Alongside real-time dashboards and analytics data to inform your decisions, Wrike teams enjoy additional features for effortless resource management . 

With a clearly defined system of team and project folders, you can store your assets securely, eliminate information silos, and ensure that everyone on your team has the resources they need to complete their tasks. Plus, with our unique cross-tagging system , the same tasks or files can exist in multiple contexts simultaneously. 

For example, a bug report can be represented as a task in a Kanban board with the necessary files attached, while also waiting in your sprint backlog, and forming part of an upcoming scrum agenda. Thanks to cross-tagging, you know you’re looking at the most up-to-date version of that task, and you eliminate issues with crossed wires and version control . 

Template plans

With Wrike, it’s easy to create template tasks and blueprints for the jobs that are regularly part of your team’s project cycle. Plus, you can build your workspace with template plans from our library, making every phase of project management simpler. 

For example:

• Project scheduling templates make it easy to delineate project stages, assign dates, and track your progress after you execute your project. 
• Project phase templates break down even the most complex software project, from initiation through to closure.
• Product roadmap templates make it easier to prioritize your tasks, monitor your work, and coordinate between the different teams involved. 
• Agile software development templates set up your space to help you plan, prioritize, manage your backlog, and create reports for your sprint retrospectives. 

Software project management: The final word 

Though the roadmap for a software project can look complicated and the risks can be more unpredictable, a thorough understanding of the software development life cycle, a solid Agile framework, and the right software tools can centralize your team and put you on course for a fantastic result. 

Wrike’s award-winning workspaces are perfect for managing complex projects. Contact our sales team to find out what Wrike can do for your team — we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.

Ilya Shubik

Ilya is a VP of Engineering at Wrike with over 20 years of experience building and running engineering teams, improving engineering efficiency, and launching product experiences at scale. His domain knowledge in team leadership, strategic planning, and enterprise-grade software has led to significant Wrike expansion in its category.

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Home » recruiting » How to Develop an Effective Recruitment Plan?

How to Develop an Effective Recruitment Plan?

Khyati Sagar

Senior Writer

A recruitment plan is a step-by-step guide for finding and hiring great employees. It helps managers navigate the entire hiring process, from describing the job to welcoming new team members.

However, it’s easier said than done. 76% of recruiters say their biggest challenge is to attract highly skilled candidates .

But what exactly is a recruitment plan, and how to create a recruitment plan? Let’s understand in detail.

Prioritize candidate experience throughout your recruitment plan. Even candidates who don't get hired can become brand ambassadors or future employees. Personalize communication, provide timely feedback, and maintain transparency about the hiring process.

What is a Recruitment Plan?

A recruitment plan lays out the steps to find, attract, and hire the best candidates. It guides hiring managers from creating job descriptions to bringing new employees on board. It takes into account factors such as current and future staffing needs, required skills and competencies, and organizational culture.

The biggest advantage of creating a recruitment plan is that it helps companies streamline their hiring efforts. This, in turn, reduces time-to-fill and ensures they are consistently hiring individuals who align with the company’s values.

11 Easy Steps to Create a Recruitment Plan

Creating a recruitment and hiring plan doesn’t have to be complicated. These steps are proven to improve the quality of hire, reduce the cost of recruiting, and help you make the most of your recruitment efforts. Let’s have a detailed look at how to develop a recruitment plan.

1. Assess Your Recruitment Needs

A thorough needs assessment prevents over-hiring or under-hiring, optimizes resource allocation, and ensures alignment with strategic business goals. It also helps in forecasting recruitment costs and timelines while allowing for more effective budget planning.

Here’s how you can identify your recruitment needs.

• Review current staff levels and skills
• Identify skill gaps in your existing workforce
• Analyze upcoming projects and their staffing requirements
• Consider potential employee departures or retirements
• Evaluate company growth projections
• Examine performance metrics to identify areas needing additional support

2. Define Job Descriptions

Precise job descriptions simplify the hiring process, reduce time-to-fill, and improve hire quality. In fact, when you write clear job descriptions, it gets easier for the hiring team to create an effective job posting and draft interview questions.

Here are the steps to writing effective job descriptions:

• Start with a clear, accurate job title
• Outline key responsibilities and duties
• List required qualifications and skills
• Differentiate between essential and preferred qualifications
• Include information about company culture and benefits
• Mention opportunities for growth within the role
• Ensure the description aligns with market standards and expectations

Here’s an example of a good job description. It highlights everything about the role, including the title, the company, detailed job responsibilities, and the skills required.

Source: standout-cv

3. Proactive Talent Mapping

Proactive talent mapping helps organizations stay ahead of their hiring needs by identifying potential candidates before positions open. It also enables hiring managers to build relationships with passive candidates who may be ideal for future roles.

Here’s how to implement proactive talent mapping:

• Identify key roles and skills crucial for your organization’s future
• Research and create profiles of ideal candidates for these roles
• Use social and professional networks to find matching profiles
• Create and maintain a talent pool database
• Regularly engage with potential candidates on LinkedIn

4. Set a Recruitment Budget

A carefully planned hiring budget helps make sure you’re spending wisely on finding new employees. It keeps your recruitment efforts in line with what your business needs and can afford.

Follow these steps to set an effective recruitment budget:

• Review past recruitment expenses and outcomes
• Forecast hiring needs for the upcoming period
• Research current market rates for recruitment services and tools
• Allocate funds for different recruitment channels (job boards, agencies, events)
• Budget for employer branding and candidate experience initiatives
• Include costs for potential relocation or sign-on bonuses
• Set aside contingency funds for unexpected hiring needs

5. Engage Candidates Personally

Personal engagement with candidates can significantly improve the quality of hires and acceptance rates. It helps create a positive candidate experience and enhances your employer brand .

Implement these strategies to improve candidate engagement.

• Personalize your interactions with candidates at each step of the hiring process
• Provide timely and constructive feedback after interviews
• Send personalized follow-up emails addressing candidate-specific concerns or questions
• Maintain contact with promising candidates who weren’t selected for immediate hiring
• Offer virtual office tours or team introductions to give candidates a feel for the workplace
• Share relevant company news or industry insights to keep candidates engaged
• Create personalized video messages for top candidates to stand out from other employers

6. Leverage Data to Make Right Decisions

Data-driven recruitment decisions lead to better hires, improved efficiency, and reduced costs. Moreover, looking closely at hiring KPIs and results shows where the process can be improved. This helps make future hiring more effective and efficient.

Here’s how to leverage data in your recruitment process.

• Monitor essential metrics such as time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, and quality of hire
• Implement applicant tracking systems (ATS) for efficient candidate data collection and analysis
• Implement pre-employment assessments and analyze their predictive validity
• Conduct regular recruitment funnel analysis to identify drop-off points
• Use A/B testing for job advertisements and outreach messages
• Evaluate how effective each recruitment channel is and focus more on the most productive ones

7. Improve Collaboration in the Hiring Process

Effective collaboration among stakeholders ensures a more comprehensive evaluation of candidates and faster decision-making. It helps in aligning hiring decisions with overall organizational goals and reduces the risk of poor hires.

Enhance collaboration in your hiring process with these steps:

• Clearly define roles and responsibilities for each team member involved
• Use collaborative hiring tools to streamline communication and feedback
• Implement structured interview processes with standardized evaluation criteria
• Conduct panel interviews to get diverse perspectives on candidates
• Schedule periodic team discussions to evaluate hiring progress 
• Encourage cross-departmental input for roles that interact with multiple teams
• Provide training on effective interviewing and evaluation techniques to all involved

8. Establish a Smooth Onboarding Process

A well-designed onboarding process accelerates new hire productivity and improves retention rates. A good plan gives new employees a strong start for their long-term careers with the organization. Even statistics indicate that a good onboarding process improves retention by 82% and makes the employees 18x more committed to their employer.

Create a smooth onboarding process by following these steps:

• Start the onboarding process before the new hire’s first day
• Prepare a structured onboarding plan with clear milestones and objectives
• Provide necessary tools and access from day one
• Schedule introductions and meetings with key team members and stakeholders
• Offer comprehensive training on company processes, tools, and culture
• Ask new hires for feedback to keep improving the onboarding process

9. Implement Technology and Automation

Using the right hiring tools frees up recruiters to focus on important tasks. These include getting to know candidates better and planning smart hiring strategies. Automation also helps in maintaining compliance and reducing bias in the hiring process.

Here’s how to effectively implement technology and automation:

• Invest in a robust Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage candidate data
• Use AI-powered tools for initial resume screening and candidate matching
• Implement chatbots for handling frequently asked questions from candidates
• Use video interviewing platforms for remote hiring
• Adopt scheduling tools to automate interview coordination
• Implement automated reference-checking systems
• Use data analytics tools to track and optimize recruitment metrics

10. Encourage Employee Referrals

Employee referrals often lead to high-quality hires who are more likely to stay with the company longer. It also boosts employee engagement by involving current staff in the growth of the company.

Grow your employee referral program with these strategies.

• Offer attractive incentives for successful referrals
• Regularly communicate open positions to all employees
• Create a simple process for employees to submit referrals
• Provide timely updates to employees about their referrals
• Recognize and celebrate successful referrals company-wide

11. Review and Update the Recruitment Plan

Regular review and updates of your recruitment and hiring plan help in identifying what’s working well and what needs improvement. It also allows you to incorporate new recruitment trends and technologies.

Follow these steps to effectively review and update your hiring processes.

• Schedule regular reviews (quarterly or bi-annually) of your recruitment strategy.
• Analyze key recruitment metrics and compare them against industry benchmarks.
• Assess the effectiveness of different recruitment channels and adjust accordingly.
• Review and update job descriptions and recruitment messaging
• Adapt your plan based on changes in company goals or market conditions

What are the Benefits of a Recruitment Plan?

The key benefits of a recruitment program include time and cost efficiency, improved quality of hire, enhanced candidate experience, and increased employee retention. Let’s explore the benefits of a successful recruitment plan in detail.

1. Time and Cost Efficiency

A well-structured recruitment plan reduces the time and resources spent on hiring. It streamlines the process by clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and timelines. This allows hiring teams to quickly identify and engage suitable candidates. A recruitment program also helps allocate the budget effectively across various online job boards and prevents overspending on less productive methods.

2. Quality of Hire

A recruitment plan improves the quality of hires by defining clear criteria for candidate selection. It ensures that everyone involved agrees on the required skills and qualifications, even before advertising job descriptions. A good recruitment strategy also incorporates assessment tools and interview techniques that effectively evaluate candidates’ fit for both the role and company culture.

3. Improved Candidate Experience

A thoughtful recruitment and hiring plan enhances the candidate experience throughout the hiring process. It ensures timely communication, provides clear information about the role and company, and creates a smooth application process. This helps attract top talent and improves the company’s employer brand. Even candidates who aren’t hired leave with a favorable impression, potentially becoming future applicants or recommending the company to others.

4. Improved Retention

A recruitment plan extends beyond the hiring process to include onboarding and integration strategies. This holistic approach ensures new hires receive proper support from day one, increasing their likelihood of success in the role. The plan also focuses on cultural fit and long-term career development, which are crucial factors in employee retention.

A well-crafted recruitment plan is essential for any organization looking to attract and retain top talent. Begin with defining your recruitment needs and setting a budget. Then, craft compelling job descriptions, engage candidates personally, improve internal collaboration, and encourage employee referrals. Remember that a good recruitment plan for hiring improves the quality of hires, reduces the time to fill open positions, and boosts retention.

A recruitment framework is a structured approach to hiring that outlines the entire process, from identifying needs to onboarding new employees. It typically includes strategies for sourcing candidates, screening methods, interview processes, and decision-making criteria. This framework ensures consistency and efficiency in hiring across an organization.

A recruiting plan benefits multiple stakeholders. Hiring managers gain a clear roadmap for finding talent. HR teams can work more efficiently. Candidates enjoy a smoother application process. The organization benefits from better hires and improved retention. Even current employees benefit from a more strategic approach to team growth.

An effective recruiting plan should be data-driven, regularly updated, and aligned with company goals. It should leverage technology for efficiency, emphasize candidate experience, and involve key stakeholders. Regular evaluation of metrics like time-to-hire and quality of hires helps in continuous improvement. Flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions is also crucial.

Khyati Sagar is a seasoned HR and payroll expert with over a decade of experience in the field. She has worked with businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large corporations, helping them optimize their HR and payroll processes. As a passionate advocate for technology-driven solutions, she is always on the lookout for the latest advancements in HR and payroll software. When she’s not working, you can find her hiking or playing basketball with her friends and family.

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Software Development Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Technology Industry » Software & App Development Business

Are you about starting a software development company? If YES, here is a complete sample software development business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

A software development company is where software is not only developed but distributed for different purposes such as instructional, learning, calculation, entertainment, and assessment purposes. Before one can start a software company, there are basic things that one needs such as a knowledge of programming, technical support skills, the necessary experience at managing a company and funds.

However, before starting a software development business, it would be best to conduct a thorough market research of the industry

A Sample Software Development Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The software development industry has grown in the space of a century from an almost on-existent industry to one that is not only a billion dollar industry but an indispensable one, especially as software form the basis of modern gadgets and devices.

Between 2011 and 2016, this industry has been dynamic in growth, especially as there has been increasing demand from businesses and consumers, with more people spending their discretionary income on products such as video games.

The industry is being said to generate $205 billion and has a projected annual income of 3% from 2011 to 2016. There are more than 8,500 software development businesses in the united states of America that employs more than 455,000 people.

Globally as at 2013, according to Gartner, the software revenue was $407.3 billion which was a 4.8% increase from the #388.5 billion registered in 2012. The industry according to Forrester was projected to be the fastest growing in 2014 with a growth pegged at 7.1%.

The software development industry has room for growth as there is considerable demand in this industry with more businesses adopting software programs that will allow for improved efficiency and lower operating costs; this was so as to look for ways to not be affected by the economic downturn.

Cloud computing capabilities have created several advances for companies who have realized the positive effect of virtual offices and the savings implications for the company. This technology has helped companies to not only reduce overhead but increase productivity as well.

Another plus for companies are virtualizations which not only allow them to eliminate several server farms but has made IT infrastructure more economical and flexible while slashing operating costs.

There are moderate barriers for new businesses that wish to enter this industry; however, certain product segments have a higher barrier than others. One common thing in this industry is patents which serve as a means of limiting competition, even though some companies willingly license their patented technology.

2. Executive Summary

Doodle Tech Inc. is a leading software development business that is based in Market Street, Suite 800, San Francisco – California, USA. We are in business to develop software for general purposes and for specific purposes to our various clients. We have in place training services and we also offer technical support in line with our business.

Our location is very strategic in the sense that we are close to manufacturing firms as well as technology giants and other big businesses here in California that will ensure that we have an edge over other software companies in other parts of California.

We are in business to not only make profit but to also compete favorably against other software development companies in the industry and attain our vision of being the preferred software development company for clients all over the United States of America.

We intend to ensure that we demonstrate fair business ethics in every point of our business. We hold ourselves accountable for our high standards and ensure that all our employees are not only attuned to but display this standards at all times in order to positively promote the company.

As a result of this, we are willing to go the extra mile by putting in structures, processes and planes in place to ensure that we get the best professionals who not only have the expertise but are also competent and know how to take our company from where we are to where we intend to be.

Our employees have welfare packages that are currently amongst the best in the whole industry amongst similar startups such as ours. We have also provided a conducive environment for all our employees in order to ensure that they remain productive at all times in order to improve the bottom line of the company.

We offer excellent customer services that have been known to retain a high number of our clients. All our customer service executives have been trained to know how to respond to customers and are also updated as regards the industry trends in order to ensure that reliable information is passed to our clients.

Finally, the expertise of both our owners, Jack Taylor and Christopher Warden in software development and business management is a great plus as both are not only Harvard graduates but also have more than 30 years of combined experience that will ensure that Doodle Tech Inc. attains its goals and objectives in time.

3. Our Products and Services

Doodle Tech Inc. intends to deal in several services whilst also generating revenue that would boost our bottom line tremendously. These several services will be added to our core service and should keep us favorably disposed to compete against our competitors.

We however intend to ensure that all our multiple sources of income which include training and technical support are in line with what is obtainable in the industry and accordingly to the laws of the United States of America. Therefore some of the services and products we will engage in are;

• Developing of software according to clients’ specifications
• Sale of software
• Offering of subscriptions for our software
• Charging of license fees for our software
• Charging by transaction
• Advertisements on our software
• Training services
• Technical support

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision at Doodle Tech Inc. is to be distinct from other software development companies by creating software that suits the diverse needs of our end users, and to be the preferred software firm for users in the United States of America.
• In order to achieve our vision, we have on hand the best software developers that will ensure that we attain our goal of being the preferred software company and in meeting all the diverse software needs of our customers here in the United States of America.

Our Business Structure

We know how important it is to have the right business structure for our software development company as getting it right from the start will eliminate most hitches that will crop up relating to our structure during the course of running the business. For this purpose, we intend to hire only competent and professionals in the available positions in our company.

Due also to the fact that we intend to run a wide range of services, we intend to ensure that we employ those that are capable of filling in these different positions. All our employees are those who understand the industry well and who are attuned with our vision and are committed to ensuring that we attain these goals and objectives.

We are also prepared to ensure that our workers are well paid and have welfare packages that are the best in similar categories across start-ups such as ours in the industry. We will also ensure that the working environment is not only conducive but is one that will enhance their skills and make them more productive.

Below is the intended business structure for Doodle Tech Inc.;

Chief Executive Officer

Software Development Manager

Business Development Manager

Human Resources and Admin Manager

Customer Service Executives

Marketing Executives

Security Guard

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop overall policies that would provide the right direction for the company
• Ensures that strategies are implemented and weak strategies are removed
• Meets and negotiate with high powered clients on behalf of the company
• Ensures that new software is developed and tested for bugs before being released to the public
• Develops new software for existing software so that clients can upgrade without running into hitches
• Carries out constant tests on software released to find out weak points and work on it.
• Researches on new businesses that will generate more revenue for the company
• Reviews company’s current products and services and decides how to make them better
• Works with the software development manager to give feedback on what the market trends are
• Prepares the budget on behalf of the firm and liaises with the owners to ensure that budget is reviewed and correctly implemented
• Prepares all the financial information and statement on behalf of the firm
• Ensures that tax is prepared and filed correctly to the correct authorities
• Ensures that the company’s books balances with that of the bank at the end of every month and accounting period
• Ensures that the right employees are recruited on behalf of the company
• Carries out orientation and ensures that employees are assigned the right tasks for their responsibilities
• Ensures that all the administrative functions of the company are performed smoothly without any hitches
• Ensures that all customers enquiries as well as complaints are well attended to and promptly resolved
• Keeps an accurate customer database on behalf of the company and ensures that it is regularly updated
• Carries out other duties as determined by the human resources and admin manager
• Conducts a marketing research on the software development industry to identify new markets for Doodle Tech Inc.
• Drafts strategies and reviews weak strategies to ensure that ineffective ones are removed
• Conducts direct marketing on behalf of the firm
• Meets and negotiates with high level clients on behalf of the firm
• Ensures that the premises and all the properties are secured after work hours by conducting patrols
• Monitors the surveillance cameras in line with securing people and property of Doodle Tech Inc.
• Keeps updated about the security information in the locality and pass along important security tips to staff
• Ensures that the premises is kept clean before work resumes
• Keeps the staff and guest conveniences clean at all times
• Ensures that cleaning supplies are always in stock
• Carries out any other duties as directed by the admin manager

6. SWOT Analysis

In order to determine if we were engaging in the right concept for our business, we hired the services of brand consultants who were not only reputable but the best here in San Francisco – California to let us know if it was worthwhile going into the business now.

The business consultants took a deep look at our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to allow the know what we were likely to face starting and running our business here in San Francisco – California, and in the United States of America as a whole. The results of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on our behalf are as follows;

Our strengths are numerous and lie in the fact that we have the right business structure that will ensure that we conquer this industry. Our software developers are the best there is and have the expertise and experience to enable us attain our goals and objectives.

We are also involved in ensuring that our software pass through quality process, reason we have external testers who run several tests on any of our software before it is released. Finally, our owners have the necessary experience that would make our being at the top a piece of cake, as both have more than 30 years experience in the software industry both as developers and in managerial positions.

There are few weaknesses that we identified for Doodle Tech Inc. and they include the fact that we were going to develop software that were not really different from what our competitors were offering. Also, there is the other fact that we are located in an area where there are other software companies, making our location a bit saturated.

We are however confident that we would be able to battle whatever weaknesses might crop up during the course of running or starting the business.

• Opportunities

There are so many opportunities available to us as there are new market segments that we have identified which would likely generate money for us. There are so many strategic alliances which we would engage in so as to have a foot into other target markets and generate more revenue for our bottom line.

We also have the opportunity of moving into the international market as our software is such that has no boundary limits. Finally, we would fully tap into the internet in order to promote and increase awareness for our brand.

Threats are external factors that cannot be controlled by a business; however any serious business should not only be prepared for threats but also have ways by which these threats will not be allowed to totally affect the business.

Some of the threats we would likely face at Doodle Tech Inc. are; the arrival of a new competitor into our location, engaging in price wars with competitors, dealing with government policies that might have an effect on our industry. We are fully prepared for any threats we are likely to face, as we have strategies on ground to battle such threats.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The trend in the software industry is that most software firms or companies are located in clusters in identifiable locations.

This is due to certain facts such as these companies wanting to be close for competitive and industry purposes and also most software companies depend on one another to be able to carry out certain functions or complete certain specific tasks for clients.

This does not however mean that there aren’t software companies in other locations or that software companies in these other locations can’t still get jobs done. To however remain relevant, software companies must always remain innovative and unique in their offerings and services. Another trend with software companies is in its publicity and promotion activities.

To be able to attract the much needed awareness and also attract clients that would pay money for the firms’ products, software companies have engaged in strong promotional activities either by hiring brand consultants or getting an in-house team or deploying both methods to draft the strategies that would enable it be recognized in the industry. Intense promotional activities will also help in getting a huge share of the market.

Lastly, software cannot work without any device and so goes hand in hand with new or existing technology; which is why most software companies try to partner with technology firms so as to create new software or upgrade existing software for these firms.

This goes to show that software industry is dependent on the technology and manufacturing industry in order to survive or thrive.

8. Our Target Market

Almost everyone makes use of software and have either bought directly from the developers or indirectly via owning a device. This means that the target market for any software development company is wide. We however have mapped out a strategy that would allow us gain a vital share of the target market.

One of our first strategies is in conducting a thorough market research that would enable us understand the market we are to go into and know what they expect from us and what our obligations are towards them. The result of the market research of the market research showed that we were in business to develop software or offer other kinds of related services to the following people;

• Corporate organizations
• entertainment industry
• Educational institutions
• Accounting firms
• Financial institutions
• Small businesses
• Agricultural sector
• Military and defense sector
• Other software companies

Our competitive advantage

Just like any other business that is established to make profit, we hope to be able to compete favorably against our competitors in the same industry.

Our vision is to be the preferred software development company for our clients all over the United States of America and to achieve this, we intend to come up with competitive strategies that would enable us attain our goals and objectives.

We intend to ensure that the software developed for general purposes will come in different categories that will be convenient for all our users.

We have assembled a high team of software developers as well as management team who are not only highly experienced and who understand how to handle a start-up and make it become a force to be reckoned with nationally. Our staffs are also attuned to our core values and principles and understand the importance of projecting the image of the company positively to our customers – potential and existing.

Another competitive advantage that we have to our favor is our excellent customer service culture which is already resounding across the industry as one of the best of start-ups of our size. Our customer executives are highly trained and are always updated on industry trends so as to be able to give our customers the correct information at all times.

Finally, because we know how important it is for our employees to be happy always, we are committed to treating them right. Our management team has a stake in the company’s profits and our lower cadre employees have incentives built into their welfare packages. All this is to enable our employees remain happy and productive.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Doodle Tech Inc. just like any other business has been established with the aim of generating revenue and making profit in the technology and software industry, and we are going to ensure that we make software that will help us accomplish this purpose, as well as engage in other services as well.

Doodle Tech Inc. therefore intends to generate income by engaging in the following services;

10. Sales Forecast

The software industry has come to stay and can only keep evolving into something bigger and stronger, as there will always be gadgets, devices and templates that would require the use of a new software or an upgrade.

Our strategic location in San Francisco – California has afforded us the opportunity to be close to many technological giants and businesses and this will see us generating and meeting our set revenue in no time, thereby growing our business tremendously.

After conducting a thorough analysis on the software industry and analyzing our chances in the industry, we were able to come up with a sales forecast that has shown strong positives in how we are likely to far in the market.

The sales projections were based on several assumptions and facts garnered across similar start-ups in the industry and across the United States of America as a whole. Therefore, the sales projection that Doodle Tech Inc. conducted to analyze its chances are as follows;

• First Fiscal Year-: $400,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $800,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $1,600,000

N.B : The above sales projections were done based on major assumptions that some factors that were used in making these assumptions would remain the same. However, should there be any change either positively or negatively, it would likely increase or decrease the above figures.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Marketing is a very important aspect of any business because it is not only a way to generate revenue for a business; it is also a way of garnering publicity to attract new customers whilst retaining the old ones. Every business no matter its level or life cycle of needs marketing in order to thrive, which is why any entrepreneur or business person starting or running a business usually sets money aside for marketing.

Asides creating funds for marketing, it is also important to ensure that effective strategies are created. Creating effective marketing strategies are essential as they would ensure that the funds are channeled the right way. In marketing Doodle Tech Inc., we would ensure that we leverage on all conventional and unconventional means of making sure that our brand and products are marketed to all our existing and potential customers.

We would conduct a market survey that would allow us understand the right strategies to draft and how effective they would be depending on the target market. To conduct a thorough market survey, we would make use of accurate available data so that we would be effectively able to compete with all our competitors all over the United States of America.

We also intend to hire a reputable marketing consultant who should be able to draft the right marketing strategies that would allow Doodle Tech Inc. penetrate the market. Also, our marketing team would be empowered in ensuring that the marketing strategies created are in tune with our corporate goals and objectives as a business.

Therefore, the following are the marketing strategies we hope to adopt at Doodle Tech Inc. in order to sell our products and services;

• Ensure that we introduce our software development business by sending out introductory letters to technology and manufacturing companies as well as other big software companies and other stakeholders in the industry.
• Network with other software companies by attending software developer conferences
• Advertise our software development business in local newspapers, technology related magazines, and in local radio and television stations
• Ensure that Doodle Tech Inc. is listed in online and offline directories
• Engage in direct marketing and sales
• Ensure that we are actively involved in forums and blogs in marketing our company

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Carrying out the right publicity and advertisement for our software development business is very essential as it is not enough to just penetrate the market and also create awareness, but to ensure that the strategy will result in Doodle Tech Inc.’s products becoming generic terms for similar products in the same category.

Due to this vision, we have hired a reputable publicity consultant who has the industry knowledge and expertise and who will help in ensuring that our company gets to the top by drafting out strategies that are in line with the core policies of the company and will boost our brand and allow us compete favorably against our competitors.

Below are some of the platforms we intend to leverage on in order to promote Doodle Tech Inc.;

• Develop a free version of our software and give users an opportunity to upgrade at a cost
• Leverage on relevant social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Google Hangout and other developers’ forum in order to create awareness about Doodle Tech Inc.
• Engage in pay per click advertisement on popular software development forums
• Create contests on social media and via our website to generate more publicity
• Distribute our handbills and fliers in strategic locations
• Install our flexi banners in conspicuous and strategic locations all over San Francisco

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Determining the right price for our various software’s will depend on a number of factors, such as how much the market will willingly pay for such software, how much that category of software is being charged for by competitors, and how unique the software is.

Other factors that will determine the prices are if we intend to charge a licensing fee for our software, or enable a pay per transaction or a subscription that is time-limited for the end user.

In view of all the above based factors, we will offer our software at prices that are at the prevailing market conditions. However, because this is a competitive market, we will however lower our prices in the first two months of business so as to attract more customers to our business, and also increase the awareness for our products.

• Payment Options

Doodle Tech Inc. realizes that due to improving technology, customers now have different payment options that they can use in paying for services; and so we have different payment policy that is intended to suit all our different customers and their diverse needs.

The payment options we have for our clients are;

• Cash payment
• Payment via check
• Payment via online payment portal
• Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
• Payment via credit card

The above payment platforms were carefully chosen for us by our bank and we have been told that our customers will not experience any hitches or inconvenience whilst using the above platforms.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

Even though some of the equipment that can be used to start and run a software development company can be gotten for fairly used, thereby lowering the costs of start-up, it will however be vital to stress that setting up a standard software development company would require the equipment used to be standard so as to be able to withstand the heavy workload that it might have to carry out.

Also, the bulk of capital in these circumstances usually goes to paying workers and utility bills that the business will incur during the course of its operation. Therefore, the key areas where we intend to spend our start-up capital on are;

• Total fee for registering Doodle Tech Inc. in the United States of America – $750
• Licenses, permits as well as accounting software – $1250
• Insurance policy (general liability, workers’ compensation) – $2,000
• Leasing and renovating of a facility for use for at least a year – $20,000
• Cost of hiring a business consultant – $2,000
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees and payment of bills) – $200,000
• Other start-up expenses which includes (windows hosting, Linux hosting, bug tracking, graphics design, software subscription and cable broadband) – $15,000
• Marketing promotion expenses (general marketing expenses and promotion activities for grand opening ceremony) – $5,000
• Administrative expenses (stationeries, phone, computers, printers, furniture business cards, office supplies, and stamps)  – $10,000
• Cost of purchasing an official vehicle – $30,000
• Cost of launching a website – $1,000
• Cost of throwing a grand opening party – $5,000
• Miscellaneous – $8,000

From the following report, we would need an estimate of $300,000 to be able to start and successfully set up a software development company in San Francisco – California. IT should be noted the bulk of the capital (90%) went towards payment of salaries for employees for a period of three months.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Doodle Tech Inc. Business

Doodle Tech Inc. is a business owned by two geeks and businessmen, Jack Taylor and Christopher Warden. We realize our financing is important for our company if we intend to successfully start, run and become a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

We are however going to be careful in where we source for money so as not to lose a part of our company or get locked in repaying a loan that might hinder the progress of our company. This is why we have decided to limit our sources for income to just 5 sources; The following are sources where we intend to get our start-up capital from;

• Generate part capital from our personal savings and sale of stocks
• Get soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for research grants at the state and federal level
• Source for part capital from online crowdfunding sites like kickstarter
• Apply for loan from commercial bank

N.B: from our personal savings and the sale of some of our stocks, we were able to generate the sum of $30,000. The soft loans from our family members and friends amounted to $20,000. We applied for a grant of $50,000 at the state level and have been considered.

We were able to generate the sum of $70,000 from sourcing for funds from kick starter, and we are at the final stages of getting our loan of $130,000 approved for us by the bank. All the necessary documents have been signed and we have been assured by our banker that the amount will soon be credited to our account within two weeks.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

Doodle Tech Inc. is established with the aim of making profit and competing amongst others here in the software industry. We are however concerned about the future of our company and so we intend to ensure that we deploy sustainability and expansion strategies so as to keep our business running for a long time.

One of the sustainability strategies which we intend to deploy is in having the right business structure on ground. This we intend to do by hiring competent and professional employees to handle the various tasks that we will assign to them.

We will employ those who understand what businesses such as ours will need to thrive in the industry and the know-how to ensure that we attain our desired goals and objectives. Our employees will not only be well paid and have attractive incentives, they will also continually be trained so that their skills would be enhanced thereby increasing productivity for the company.

We would draft effective publicity and promotional strategies that would ensure that the awareness for our brand and its products are increased to potential and even existing customers. Our promotional efforts will be geared into ensuring that our brand is positively communicated to even our rivals in the industry.

Most of our publicity strategies would be geared towards the millennials by throwing up contests especially on social media as these have the potential to ensure that awareness about our brand is effectively spread even to the baby boomers.

Finally, we take our customers very seriously and to this effect we intend to ensure that we have effective customer service programs which will see our loyal customers getting incentives.

We also would ensure that we attend to all customer enquiries whilst also making sure that all their complaints are resolved speedily depending on the problem. We know that if we carry out these strategies effectively, we would not only push forth our brand but also sustain our business whilst also expanding it at our own pace.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting feasibility studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – wholesale suppliers / merchants: In Progress
• Purchase of trucks: Completed

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• Investment in Healthpilot supports Humana’s efforts to develop a more efficient, transparent, and consumer-centric healthcare ecosystem by leveraging cutting-edge technology.
• Healthpilot's AI-driven Medicare plan platform will remain payor-agnostic, providing highly personalized recommendations for Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in the right health plan.

  LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leading health and well-being company Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), through its payor-agnostic insurance brokerage business, today announced a minority investment in Healthpilot, a company pioneering the development of a personalized and simpler digital enrollment experience for seniors exploring their Medicare options. The financial investment by Humana supports both companies’ visions to create a more efficient, transparent, and consumer-centric healthcare ecosystem. Following Humana’s minority investment, Healthpilot will remain payor-agnostic, providing consumer-specific recommendations for beneficiaries to enroll in the right health plan for their specific healthcare profile. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Healthpilot’s proprietary AI-powered model was developed based on the academic research of Healthpilot co-founder Dr. Jonathan Kolstad, PhD and features an online enrollment platform that provides Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and prescription drug plan (PDP) recommendations based on beneficiaries’ unique healthcare situations. Using a digitally native platform, it leverages enrollee information such as their personal health profile, choices for physicians, prescription drug utilization and cost preferences, and then matches prospective enrollees with the optimal choices available for their Medicare plan needs. Most applications are submitted without a consumer requiring assistance from a Healthpilot customer support representative.

“This investment in Healthpilot represents a strategic step forward in Humana’s digital growth journey and underscores our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to further enhance payor-agnostic, omnichannel broker capabilities,” said David Dintenfass, President of Enterprise Growth at Humana. “Healthpilot’s platform provides a more personalized and simpler digital enrollment experience for seniors, and we are excited to improve the education, shopping and enrollment experiences for customers that purchase Medicare products from Healthpilot. By leveraging Healthpilot’s advanced analytics and AI, beneficiaries can be paired with plans that best meet their needs, thereby enhancing their overall healthcare experience.”

“Healthpilot is seeking to redefine the Medicare plan shopping experience with a customer-centric approach that leverages leading, AI-powered technology and an elegant user-interface,” said Seth Teich, CEO of Healthpilot. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate more closely with Humana. Their financial investment will fuel our ambitious goals of improving our customer product experience, growing our brand online, accelerating data analytics, and enhancing our AI capabilities. These advancements will allow us to better serve the millions of seniors in need of a simplified digital shopping experience.”

About Humana

Humana Inc. is committed to putting health first – for our teammates, our customers, and our company. Through our Humana insurance services, and our CenterWell health care services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com .

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s website at humana.com , including copies of:

• Annual reports to stockholders
• Securities and Exchange Commission filings
• Most recent investor conference presentations
• Quarterly earnings news releases and conference calls
• Calendar of events
• Corporate Governance information.

About Healthpilot

At Healthpilot, we’re redefining the Medicare plan shopping experience. We’ve built groundbreaking AI technology that allows customers to find and enroll in a plan fully online, or with the help of licensed, non-commissioned support representatives at any point along the way. Our best-in-class platform engages users by asking them simple questions about their drugs, doctors, coverage preferences, and pharmacy information – and in seconds, our AI finds the ideal plan for them considering all predicted costs in the future year. To learn more about how we’re improving seniors’ experience with Medicare enrollments, please visit www.healthpilot.com .

Investors: Lisa Stoner (Humana); (502) 580-2652; [email protected]

Media: Mark Taylor (Humana); (317) 753-0345; [email protected]

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Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal.

“Humana” is the brand name for plans, products and services provided by one or more of the subsidiaries and affiliate companies of Humana Inc. (“Humana Entities”). Plans, products, and services are solely and only provided by one or more Humana Entities specified on the plan, product, or service contract, not Humana Inc. Not all plans, products, and services are available in each state.

Humana legal entities that offer, underwrite, administer or insure insurance products and services

Medical plans.

Humana group medical plans are offered by Humana Medical Plan, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Humana Health Plan, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., Humana Health Plan of Ohio, Inc., Humana Health Plans of Puerto Rico, Inc. License # 00235-0008, Humana Wisconsin Health Organization Insurance Corporation, or Humana Health Plan of Texas, Inc., or insured by Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida, Inc., Humana Health Plan, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., Humana Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky, or Humana Insurance of Puerto Rico, Inc. License # 00187-0009, or administered by Humana Insurance Company or Humana Health Plan, Inc. For Arizona residents, plans are offered by Humana Health Plan, Inc. or insured by Humana Insurance Company. Administered by Humana Insurance Company.

Go365 ® is not an insurance product. Not available with all Humana health plans.

Dental Plans

Humana individual dental plans are insured or offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of New York, The Dental Concern, Inc., CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Company, CompBenefits Dental, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits). Discount plans are offered by HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company, or Texas Dental Plans, Inc. Arizona residents insured by Humana Insurance Company. Texas residents insured or offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits).

In states, and for products where applicable, the premium may include a $1 administrative fee. If you have purchased an association plan, an association fee may also apply. Some plans may also charge a one-time, non-refundable enrollment fee. (This fee is non-refundable as allowed by state).

A minimum one-year, initial contract period may be required for some dental plans, excluding Dental Savings Plus

Humana group dental plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of New York, Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, The Dental Concern, Inc., Humana Medical Plan of Utah, CompBenefits Company, CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Dental, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits).

Vision Plans

Humana individual vision plans are insured by Humana Insurance Company, The Dental Concern, Inc., or Humana Insurance Company of New York, or Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc. Arizona residents insured by Humana Insurance Company. Texas residents insured by Humana Insurance Company.

A minimum one-year, initial contract period may be required for some vision plans.

Humana group vision plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky, Humana Insurance Company of New York, CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Company, or The Dental Concern, Inc.

Life Insurance Plans

Humana group life plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company or Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky.

The website is maintained outside of New York state and the insurer is not authorized to transact the business of insurance in New York.

Humana individual life insurance plans are offered in New York by Humana Insurance Company.

Limitations and exclusions

Our health benefit plans, dental plans, vision plans, and life insurance plans have exclusions, limitations and terms under which the coverage may be continued in force or discontinued. Our dental plans, vision plans, and life insurance plans may also have waiting periods. For costs and complete details of coverage, call or write Humana or your Humana insurance agent or broker.

Individual applications are subject to eligibility requirements.

Before applying for group coverage, please refer to the pre-enrollment disclosures for a description of plan provisions which may exclude, limit, reduce, modify or terminate your coverage. View plan provisions or check with your sales representative.

For group plans, please refer to your Benefit Plan Document (Certificate of Coverage/Insurance or Summary Plan Description/Administrative Services Only) for more information on the company providing your benefits.

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