Choosing The Right Development Framework

Embarking on a new custom app development project? Then you will need to choose a development framework. There are certainly enough to choose from: Lean, Scrum, Kanban, XP - and several more. Here’s a brief overview:

• Scrum: Probably the best-known Agile framework, Scrum breaks a project down into repeating intervals, known as sprints. By managing each sprint one at a time, the development time is maximized, enabling the development team to focus their energies on a set of mini-goals, one after the other.
• Kanban: The name of this methodology comes from the Japanese word for “visual board” or “signboard”. It uses visual methods to develop and manage projects. The Kanban board is divided into columns that visually depict the process flow. Work is divided into separate items that independently progress through the columns.
• XP: Extreme Programming (XP) acts much like Scrum does in that it breaks a development project up into sprints or short development cycles. The emphasis here is on teamwork and feedback, with a push for constant development and customer satisfaction.
• Lean: This popular methodology is based on seven principles: eliminating whatever is unnecessary, focusing on quality, knowledge creation, taking a realistic approach to commitments, prompt delivery, respect for the team, and holistic optimization.

Development frameworks are designed to help software developers plan and pave the road they will take as they drive your project to completion. During the Discovery/ Proposal phase, as we consider the requirements of your development project, we also decide on the framework best suited to helping us complete the project. Here are some questions to ask to steer you in the right direction when choosing a development framework:

Does it have an excellent user interface?

Firstly, the framework needs to be easy to use. An excellent, intuitive and effective user interface should be your first consideration. A good interface helps us plan more effectively, minimize and even reduce errors, and generally ease the flow of the developers’ work.

Does it suit the complexity of the project?

The most popular frameworks are all designed to suit projects of specific levels of complexity. Some may work best with large, complex projects - such as Scrum and XP -  while others, such as Kanban, are better suited to small, more straightforward applications. 

How popular is the framework?

Of course, it is an excellent sign if the framework is a popular one. It also usually means that there will be more tools and plug-ins available for that framework. The higher the number of users who have made use of the framework, the more information and advice you will likely be able to find about it. Scrum is the most commonly used framework, though Kanban and Lean are also frequently chosen by development teams.

What are the hosting prerequisites?

Ensure that the framework you use matches the hosting requirements of the app you are developing. Some work well with shared hosting, while others need dedicated host servers to function. 

Is it easy to learn and use?

Each framework has its own learning curve - some are simple and quick, while others are more difficult to use and therefore take more time to learn. If there is not a lot of time, we opt for a framework that is as quick and easy to learn as possible. Kanban is probably the easiest to learn, as it uses a simple, visual methodology. Scrum is a little more complicated and requires more time to learn. XP, with its ability to cover the project’s specific content and outcomes, probably takes the longest to master. 

Does it reflect your team’s thought patterns and working methods?

Each methodology has its own ‘feel,’ and its own way of approaching the work at hand. As a result, each one is likely to be a better fit with some teams than with others. This is not only because of the nature of the work itself. The team, the way it thinks and operates, will also determine which framework is most suitable. For example, one development team may find that Scrum is the best fit for their approach, while others may prefer the feel and structure of XP. 

What are the licensing costs and do they suit your budget?

Costs are a consideration when it comes to development frameworks. Some are open-source platforms that you can access for free, while others will have licensing costs attached. If your budget is limited, you may need to stick to an open-source framework. Be sure to check the licensing costs at the start, and only select a platform that suits your budget. 

Answering these questions helps us to narrow our choices as we look at the best ways to create the best software for our clients - and within the appropriate time frame. 

Need advice on your native app development project? Then contact Atimi today.