What process features are essential for the software design

When a project kicks off, it usually wants to be a shining example of software design. But as time goes by, it often turns into a bit of a mess. Why does this keep happening? Let's dive into it together.

A wise developer once mentioned that a team's efficiency tends to mirror the performance of its least proficient coder. However, the notion of forming a team exclusively with top-tier coders doesn't always pan out, and there are several reasons that stand in the way of this endeavor.

To begin with, coders tend to be competitive, and an all-star team might initially struggle with productivity due to a lack of synergy.

Furthermore, it can be simply impractical to launch a project with an extensive budget. Allocating such a significant amount of resources to a project may already be inefficient from a business value perspective.

So, does this mean that all development teams are destined to underperform? Not necessarily. In many cases, the development process is a collaborative effort, with team members supporting each other in their respective challenges. When this team includes mentorship, shared values, and a common vision, it can indeed become highly effective in achieving business objectives.

Certainly, words like vision and values can sound abstract, and it's not always straightforward to put them into action. However, there is a set of practices and processes that can help translate these concepts into effective results.

An integral component of this equation is retrospectives. These are occasions when the entire team and all involved parties come together to address issues that can be improved, ultimately making the entire development process more streamlined and improved.

Code reviews also play a significant role in facilitating the exchange of experiences and contribute to the rapid development of a development team's technical skills.

Another valuable practice is pair coding, which involves two developers working on the same task simultaneously. This approach often leads to more effective problem-solving and enhanced collaboration.

The primary objective of these practices is to enhance the efficiency of the development process. For a dedicated development team to thrive in the constantly evolving business landscape, it's crucial to incorporate all of these practices.

Additionally, there are key aspects that are vital for orchestrating the development process to achieve better software design, and many of them revolve around close collaboration with the customer.

A team should aim for transparency in their operations when dealing with a customer, as it's the customer who may need to navigate the situation if things don't go as planned. Sometimes, decisions made by developers may not be the most optimal from a business perspective, and the customer can offer valuable insights early on.

Therefore, for us as a dedicated team, fostering strong communication with the customer as if they were part of the team is of utmost importance.

In addition, it's crucial to establish an environment that enables team members to concentrate without frequent interruptions and work without a constant rush. This conducive setting allows for the creation of well-thought-out software designs, as developers can dedicate sufficient time to thinking and planning.

Furthermore, a dedicated development team should welcome changes that emerge throughout the coding process. This adaptive approach contributes to the development of agile software design, which, when combined with other elements in the mix, leads to the creation of superior systems and applications. Conversely, when a team rigidly adheres to design practices and dogmas, the software's quality deteriorates more rapidly.