How do you align software goals with your clients?

One of my mentors asked me how I defined software quality. I started going on about reliability, efficiency, maintainability, documentation, he waved aside all that and simply stated it was compliance with the specification. If you want those other things, you put them in the specification. I believe the best way to bring the developer and client into alignment is to start populating a specification. Obviouosly it's rough at first, but as a software engineer, I don't start work without one, unless my first task is to write one. And its never too early to get that spec into source control.

Don't get too hung up on the nitty gritty of the project. You can start worrying on that once you've establish a firm contract with the client. This will help you cut down on consultation time and lets you focus on addressing their pain point first rather than formulating a perfect solution. Your clients want to be heard at this stage - this will help closing the deal easier

The "Why" for any software goal is very important so as to contribute meaningfully to any client. Good time should be spent clarifying the same. One more aspect is to gather the risks that client is ready to take

Most clients don't understand what they actually want until you unveil your professionalism. Based on experience, professional standards, and best practice, it is better to advise clients on the project requirements to achieve their goals.

"Understand the problem" is absolutely key. We are solutioning before listening, and assuming rather than asking. These are important roots of software implementation only partially succeeding or being far too painful for what they should be solving. Asking questions to understand both the context *and* the problem is essential. The "why is it a problem" question help identify and refine both. Additionally, considering the software as the only solution is likely to limit the conversation so here's the challenge: could you have a first conversation with your client that is entirely focused on context and problem discovery, without mentioning the software or its features at all?

In my role as a software developer tasked with enhancing a ride-sharing app, I collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather detailed requirements, select the appropriate tech stack, and follow Agile practices to iteratively develop and deploy the feature. This involves writing clean, maintainable code, rigorous testing, version control for seamless collaboration, and engagement with QA engineers. Post-deployment, I implement monitoring tools, actively collect user feedback for iterative improvements, and ensure the feature's scalability and security. My commitment to continuous learning helps me stay updated with evolving technologies, making me an adaptable and innovative contributor to the team's success.

In my 6-year stint in software engineering and consulting, one lesson stands out: clarity is king. Consulting to my tech-driven financial endeavors, defining the scope has been the compass guiding successful projects. 📊💡 Here's what I've learned: Rooted in the Problem: The scope should resonate with the initial problem statement and client vision. Clear Documentation: Avoid ambiguity. Communicate the scope vividly to all stakeholders. Prioritization: Align features with value and feasibility. Negotiations ensure we strike the right balance. Guard Against Scope Creep: Clear boundaries ensure we deliver on promises without unexpected detours. #StrategicSoftwareEngineering #TechInFinance #ScopeManagement

Ask the client their timelines. Estimate yours and be clear about it. Never overcommit when you know you won't be able to finish. It's not worth it!

One of the things to keep in mind is how much you prioritize detailed scope over clear measurable goals. In my role as a Engineering Manager in this rapidly changing world, most of the time you don't want to avoid changes, but embrace the ones that can increase the delivered value! The way I learned to do that is to define metrics for each goal that could be measured during the whole process. Then, the team will be able to confirm if more value could be achieved for each small change compared to the original scope. This will increase the ownership and motivation of everyone involved and decrease the amount of verification needed by management, since data would be transparent and automatic measured during each small delivery.

Some Practical tips are as follows => Understand the problem thoroughly. => Document objectives, goals, and constraints. => Prioritize features based on importance. => Involve stakeholders for alignment. =>Define what's in scope, out of scope. => Set measurable objectives. =>Use visual aids for clarity. =>Stay flexible for adjustments. =>Review and validate with stakeholders. =>Communicate scope clearly to the team. =>Document scope changes rigorously. =>Monitor progress and report deviations to stay on track.

Back at Tata Consultancy Services, I lead a transformative financial software project. The challenge? Aligning our approach with the client's dynamic needs. 📊💡 After assessing project intricacies and client expectations, we opted for Agile over Waterfall. Why? Flexibility. Agile allowed us to adapt to changes swiftly, ensuring client involvement and feedback at every sprint. The result? Enhanced client satisfaction and a product that truly resonated. My takeaway? The right methodology isn't one-size-fits-all; it's tailor-fitted to the project's soul and client's pulse. Your experiences with choosing methodologies? #StrategicSoftwareEngineering #AgileOverWaterfall #ConsultingInsights

Agile methodology seems to work well due to its dynamism. It allows things happening at different levels at the same time. Scrum is also a very efficient method cementing teamwork and collaboration between stakeholders. At the end of day, the best method is the one you know best that can deliver at or beyond expectations. All the roads lead to one destination. So choose the one you know and trust best.

Set, Evaluate, Re-evaluate: Goals aren't set in stone. As you progress, regularly review and adjust them to ensure they're still aligned with client needs.

Clarity and on time support Belive and faith in work Proper work that impact on next goal and achivement Better relationship

I would consistently opt for Scrum or Agile methodologies; however, the choice hinges greatly on the client's resource allocation capabilities.

From start to finish, communication is the main deciding factor for success or failure. Good communication leads to understanding then to agreement then to collaboration then success. Bad communication leads to misunderstanding then to misinterpretation then to false expectations then to failure.

Communication is Key: Craft a compelling narrative around your software goals. It should resonate with both technical experts and non-technical stakeholders. Some communication best practices for remote teams include setting clear goals and expectations, using asynchronous communication tools, documenting decisions and progress, being honest and transparent, and adopting a communication style in line with the S.M.A.R.T. criteria. It is also important to prioritize effective communication, manage expectations through open and honest dialogue, and build a culture of respect and active listening.

Communication with your client should be your top priority. Whether it is a potential client or a signed contract, it should be easy for the client to get updates and feel heard. There's nothing worse for your reputation than leaving a question or call unanswered. If you are busy you can let the calls go to voicemail, but do your best to follow-up as soon as possible. Establishing good communications with your client should come before establishing scope or methodology.

Communication is main key to avoid last minute conflict, it resolve all doubts in advance so all have clear vision that what need to work on.

Maintaining continuous communication and fostering transparency are essential for ensuring alignment among all project stakeholders.

Quality Assurance Engineering and User Acceptance Tests are few examples that can greatly assist in the production of quality software. Having robust software maintenance and support mechanisms will also contribute immensely to software quality. Having a streamlined upgrade mechanism will also ensure that the software is running on state-of-the-art technologies and best practices

Delivering quality software means creating products that exceed client expectations in functionality, performance, usability, reliability, security, and maintainability. This involves thorough code reviews, comprehensive testing, diligent debugging, clear documentation, and regular refactoring, supported by the right tools and frameworks. Timely and budget-compliant delivery is crucial for client satisfaction. Managing these aspects well builds trust and fosters long-term relationships. Ultimately, delivering quality software combines technical excellence with a genuine commitment to client success, enhancing our reputation and paving the way for future opportunities.

During my tenure at Tata Consultancy Services, a project demanded revamping a financial software tool. Midway, a critical feature underperformed. Instead of a patchwork solution, we dived deep. Prioritizing usability and security, we engaged in rigorous code reviews and tests. Outcome? On-time delivery, within budget, and surpassing client expectations. The lesson? Quality isn't just about functionality; it's a trust-builder. Quality is our best business plan. Share your stories! #DeliveringQuality #FinanceTech

To deliver a quality Product, it is very important to understand the best practices that can help in proactively identifying problems before the customers and rectifying them quickly. This can be achieved by establishing SRE (Site Reliability Engineering) Culture & Mindset. SRE Leads along with Engineering Leads of a Product must work closely with stakeholders to identify Service Level Indicators & Objectives (SLI/SLO) to ensure they work towards achieving the business targets and deliver a reliable quality product.

Always believe in quality than quantity. If your product is well managed and it's quality is good, customer will never hasitate to provide positive feedback and believe in product.

Seeking feedback is critical to a healthy brand/company culture. If a client is unsatisfied you are better to learn directly from them and have a chance to address the issue rather than this negative outcome leak out to other potential clients. Ignoring negative feedback and pushing forward is a disrespect to your clients, and it instills a culture within your company where employees no longer care to produce quality, as long as they have the billable hours. You may also be pleasantly surprised and get a new contract when you reach out!

Unlocking success in the mobile app realm hinges on feedback. In this dynamic space, end-users reign supreme. No matter how cutting-edge our tech is, its popularity rests on user resonance. The mantra: keep it simple. Seeking early feedback from users becomes our compass, steering us toward quality and the right solutions. Remember, the user is king in the mobile app kingdom, and their feedback is the crown jewel. 👑📱 #UserFirst #FeedbackMatters #TechSimplicity

Delivering software that not only meets, but exceeds client expectations is the dream. Here's our blueprint: - Quality First: Always prioritise quality over quantity. - Testing: Integrate quality assurance throughout the development cycle. - Future-Ready: Make your software scalable and maintainable. - No Shortcuts: Avoid quick fixes that could jeopardise long-term success. - Business & User-Centric: Understand the broader business context and user needs. It's all about delivering value and forging lasting partnerships.

For software development, feedback play important role in upcoming features and goal. It is important to get feedback from evey corner, like end user, client, cross team, e.t.c.

This is where you want to have an open and honest conversation with your clients. Once you have a clear feedback loop established use it to ‘listen’.. Listening will help with retention, strengthening relationships and improve the overall effectiveness of your team.

Technical debt and a deep understanding of the company's infrastructure and long-term project goals is crutial. Technical debt, often accumulated through quick fixes and shortcuts, can lead to long-term inefficiencies and maintenance challenges. Addressing technical debt early, developers can ensure a smoother development process and ultimately deliver a more robust product. Additionally, understanding a company's infrastructure and long-term goals is equally vital. It helps developers align their efforts with the broader objectives, stimulating better collaboration, and ensuring that the software we build not only meets immediate needs but also aligns with the company's strategic vision, saving time and resources in the long run.

Depending on client's resource, assist them to build IT roadmap. It will be source of recurring orders. Once, I helped a fashion retailer to develop their system. They had thousands of daily orders, but they were tracking inventory in Google sheets! I got in and develop ERP that suits their needs. It doesn't stop there. Because of their limited IT capability, they had me hire two IT personnels. I also helped hardware provision and maintenance for next two years. We also explored possible improvements like loyalty cards and marketplace integration. I didn't do the improvement parts, but I was contracted continuously to maintain the core program.

Establish realistic timelines for the project. Ensure that both you and the client have a shared understanding of the project schedule, milestones, and deadlines.