8 Phases Of App Development Lifecycle You Should be Aware Of

Today, mobile applications have taken over almost everything from day to day tasks to cardinal enterprise operations. Everyone is pleased with the evolving rulership of mobile app technology in the digital world. However, not everyone is aware that the app development process is not that simple. 

App making is a tedious process and consists of multi-stage steps that need to be practiced with detailed knowledge about the app development cycle. In case you are stepping up to the app for your business you should know the phases that complete the app development cycle. There are basically 8 steps you need to go through one by one at a time in order to acquire a successful app. This article will enlighten you about the whole process of building an app with brief information about each step.

Here are 8 steps to build an amazing mobile app

1. Detailed Research and Pre-Planning

This is very the first and crucial step of the development as it is going to shape the further process. In this phase, all you need to do is research and find some answers. Here, you need very substantial and elementary level research and analysis. You need to decide the main aim and agenda of the app and find the answers like who is the targeted audience? What are they specifically looking for? 

Along with these, you also need to choose which platform you want to hit and the app will be paid or free for the users. Most importantly, you also need to research the competitors' existing product and look for the answers to the questions like:

• How does it work?
• What does it offer to the customers?
• What are the key aspects they are lacking in? 

Comprehensive research should be done in this phase which includes users, competitors, product, aim, and services that will give you an idea about capital and time investment.

2. Conceptual Prototyping

When you have all the research done and got the direction to take your idea on the road of app development, you need to stop at the second phase. The research will give the estimate of investment of time and money needed in the development process.

Now make a prototype of your product using the research details and exploring your idea. Write down all the functionalities and draw a sketch or flowchart on board. This will be the first representation of your ideas and details gathered in the first phase.

Also, try to discuss its attributes and functionalities with other team members, listen to their opinions and views what they think about the primary mental prototype. You need to see it from their point of view. Doing this, you might get some unique app idea.

3. Technology Viability

You have an idea and a whole working flowchart with you which is exceptional but is it possible to make it operational? Having all the functionalities and operations on the paper is one thing and converting it into a fully working model is different. You need to check the back end technology assessment in order to know are these things possible.

At this point, you should know whether the back-end system will support the app APIs or not. To know exactly your app idea is technically feasible you need to access the public APIs. 

4. Actual Prototype

The application is a digital tech element you won't be able to know it until you actually touch the app on your smartphone. Now, you need to build a real prototype of your app to experience how it works and interact with the users. You can use the simple and not comprehensive wireframes so that you can get the app development in less time and also with quality. Rendering the first copy to the client will further let you know that the app is fine or it needs changes. 

5. App Design before Development

Before going to start coding for the development you should be aware of the design of the app very well. A peculiar design should be structured in order to serve the best to the user. A user experience designer will build and design elements required to enrich the app interaction  The design is a very complex process and needs to be done precisely and with the aim to provide enhanced interaction to the users. The final results that you will get are blueprints or visual directions that will give you an idea of how your app should look and feel. 

6. Developing the App

Now, you are at the core phase of the app development process, i.e, coding. You have all the details as you have app idea with all possible functionalities and design. In this phase, the developer will start working to create the app on the decided app development platform. There are several approaches to complete the app development process but the most preferred one is the Agile. This approach is taken in practice due to its attributes like collaboration, transparency, and iterative and incremental methodology.

7. Testing

Till now, you have done with the coding part of the app. Next comes the testing process. The app should be delivered in the hands of users to know the result of a user experience test. UAT- The best way to know is your app serving the desired service to the users or not. The testing phase also includes Beta Testing, which is a proven technique to test your app by the user.

Make sure your app is available to the users for open participation. The beta version will help you get the users' opinions and feedback directly. This feedback will help you to add what your app lacks from a user point of view before launching it. This is one of the reasons why you need to go through all the mobile app testing phrases. 

8. Final App Launch

Congrats your app is ready and there is only one last step left in order to deliver it to the users. You need to submit your app to the respective app store for approval. Before submitting the app, make sure you follow all the regulations and guidelines of the App Store and all the improvisation has done. This is the final step of the app development process.

However, it's not the end, every app needs regular updates in order to fix the bugs and enhance the features. Frequently releasing an upgraded app version with some added features engages the user for a longer period of time. 

Ending Note:

Once you understand all the key steps to develop a mobile app, you'll be able to deliver a flawless, robust and up to the mark app to your end-users. So, if you want your app to reach out to more customers, make sure that you follow each step cautiously.