Discovery Phase: Your Key To Fast & Affordable Custom Software

If you want your custom software to be a game-changer rather than a budget-burner, you might want to pay attention to what happens before the first line of code is written. 

Truth be told, it is important to pay a lot of attention to it because rushing in is not going to help you “successfully” meet that tentative roll-out deadline you have in mind. 

A successful launch requires – no, demands – a software development discovery phase. Go without it, and you will end up with scope creep, missed deadlines, bloated budgets, and implementation failure. Not to mention, a software that does not do what you want it to do. 

Slow down at the beginning, though, and you can turn the tide completely. With a discovery phase in place, you can speed up delivery, reduce unpleasant surprises, and set your software up for long-term success. 

Want to know how? That is what this guide is for – to show you how a discovery phase can help you save time and money. It also covers the process behind discovery and demonstrates ways in which you can vet your vendor’s strategic and technical expertise to ensure you make the right choice. 

What Is A Software Discovery Phase?

In its shortest definition, it is your path to clarity when it comes to custom software. A software development discovery phase takes the guesswork out of the entire process by deep-diving into what it takes to devise an executable plan for building the software you need. 

Definition & Purpose

Meant to take place just before development officially kicks off, the discovery phase is a type of structured collaboration. Your custom software project is built on the principles of what, why, and how – the discovery process aims to answer these three in detail. 

It gives your idea the shape of technical requirements, user stories and profiles, process flows, and scope. The discovery phase is necessary to ensure every single stage of your custom software development project aligns with your business goals. 

Sure, this phase involves documentation too but it is more than that. It de-risks your project and ensures that the final software actually solves the problems it was intended to, and serves the users it is meant for. 

How It Differs From A Free Consultation

Considering the number of vendors that offer free initial calls, it might seem as if the discovery phase can be condensed into one of them. But here is the thing – the initial calls are part of the sales process and are meant to assess vendor-customer fit. They are not supposed to solve software issues.

The discovery phase in software development does that. It goes the extra mile and involves a ton of different activities – from stakeholder interviews to mapping user journeys, analyzing current workflows, and identifying technical dependencies. 

To repeat, it is a collaborative process — which means all of the above activities, though led by a senior analyst, also involve UX strategists, solution architects, developers etc. - typical roles you find in any software company. 

At the end of it, you get the knowledge that will guide your entire software development process.

Key Deliverables You Should Expect

Though the list is influenced by the difficulty of your project, you can expect a comprehensive discovery phase to include: 

• Stakeholder analysis
• User needs assessment
• Business process mapping
• Core requirements – functional and non-functional
• Rudimentary wireframes
• Overview of technical architecture
• Risk assessment report
• Feasibility report
• Estimated budget and timeline

Where Time & Money Are Lost Without A Discovery Phase

Considering the discovery phase takes both time and costs money, you might think skipping it would be the perfect way to save both. Think again. Ditching the software development discovery phase is only going to cost you – from delays and budget overruns to expensive reworks. 

The discovery process is more than just a plan. It has a foundational role. Skipping it will lead to guesswork, misaligned stakeholders, and frustrated developers who spend more time putting out fires than constructing something valuable for you. 

Here is where time and money are lost when you pass over the discovery phase. 

Vague Requirements = Scope Creep

Poorly defined requirements turn development into a task with moving goalposts. Moreover, shifting priorities, coupled with new feature requests mid-sprint, result in timelines ballooning out of control. The constant back-and-forth caused by vague inputs and shifting expectations inevitably leads to scope creep. These are all major problems that can be safely avoided with a discovery phase. 

Misalignment = Multiple Rounds Of Rework

Stakeholder misalignment is one of the most common outcomes of going without a discovery phase. Different goals and priorities, when conveyed over calls, run the risk of misinterpretation, which in turn, leads to the creation of software that misses the mark. However, a discovery phase ensures complete alignment, proper documentation, and recorded approvals from the start. 

Tech Surprises = Budget Blowouts

Unvetted assumptions about the chosen tech stack are a recipe for unwanted surprises. Issues such as missing features, integration challenges, and compliance gaps can surface mid-build, requiring costly reworks. Go through discovery instead and you can prevent these surprises from pivoting costs further. 

Delayed Buy-In

Say what you will but if key leadership is not aligned from the start, a delay is inevitable. Custom software development - whether it is for an operations system or quotation software -  is a complex process that thrives on early approvals and alignment between department heads. Take that away, and developers get stuck with contested features. Gradually enthusiasm wanes, and the entire project turns into a useless money drain.

Going through the motions of a discovery phase is the only fix to all of these problems. From getting consensus upfront to ensuring complete integration and clarity, the discovery phase allows developers to build with confidence while ensuring businesses get exactly the software they want. It’s a win-win for both!

Discovery Phase in Action: Key Steps and Process

A properly executed discovery phase gives you control of your custom ERP development project. It is not just about visibility – it is about validating feasibility and creating a detailed roadmap for success. 

To get there though, you need to know what a discovery process entails. We have outlined that for you below in a step-by-step format: 

1. Stakeholder Alignment & Goal Mapping

The discovery process kicks off with your chosen vendor identifying the key decision-makers and project champions of your organization. Clarity from the top guarantees success while ensuring each decision-maker is thinking in the same direction. Once done, they proceed to: 

• Defining your business’s goals, KPIs, and success metrics
• Ensuring stakeholders agree on the project’s vision, paint points, and user groups

Clearly defined goals, coupled with perfect alignment, result in the development of software that delivers what it promised. 

2. Functional & Technical Requirements Gathering

Figuring out the essentials and must-haves of your custom software project comes next. This step involves:

• Compiling must-have features along with detailed user stories 
• Determining the non-functional requirements of your software including compliance, security, and stability 
• Identifying core integration needs including APIs and external systems (if needed)

At this stage, the vision you have for your software is transformed into structural needs so the technical architecture and solution scope for the project can be mapped out. 

3. Workflow Mapping & Prioritization

The goal of this step is to ensure your customer software project actually resolves the pain points of your operations instead of offering cosmetic fixes. It involves:

• A detailed comparison of your existing and proposed workflows
• Identification of any inefficiencies or redundancies that the proposed software can fix
• Prioritization of key, problem-solving features using techniques such as MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won't have)

Think of it as a point in your journey where your custom software begins to take shape. The issues figured out here will pave the way for development. 

4. UX Prototyping & Visual Scoping

At this stage, your chosen software development company will focus on creating a basic wireframe or a clickable prototype for you. This rudimentary version will give you a concrete glimpse into what your new software will look like and how it can benefit your company. 

Barring wireframe creation, it also involves: 

• A validation of basic user journeys and UI expectations
• Identification of early user issues and risks so they can be resolved before development begins

On your part, you should carefully assess the prototype and make feasible suggestions before coding begins. You will get visual references, so you can have your technical and non-technical teams review them to prevent reworks at a later stage. 

5. Feasibility Review & Architecture Recommendations

While you may have a very specific vision of what your custom software is supposed to do, only your development partner can determine if your vision can be brought to life. At this step of the discovery phase, you can expect: 

• An in-depth assessment of the technical constraints and data flows of your proposed software
• Selection of technology stack along with hosting platforms and necessary integrations
• Identification of high-risk areas coupled with proposed alternatives

This step is necessary to ensure the software you desire is technically feasible and scalable. 

6. Budget & Timeline Estimation

The final stage of the discovery phase entails proposed budgets and timelines that you can assess to know if they work for your organization. This step involves: 

• A breakdown of the effort required to develop each module of your software
• A detailed description of components that can be fast-tracked vs. complex components
• A cost and time projection for the entire development process

Each figure mentioned in this report is backed by an actual discovery process so you can trust its logic. 

How Vestra Inet Delivers Value Through Its Discovery Process

To get the most out of the discovery phase, you need to partner with a software development company that provides you with value rather than just a piece of templatized document. Vestra Inet takes the wiser approach in this regard. 

We know what our clients want. Our software development discovery phase is purpose-built and accounts for layered approvals, legacy system integrations, and complex workflows. It positions itself as an enabler of better business outcomes right from the start. 

Engineered to reduce risk and lead the way with clarity, Vestra Inet’s discovery process is geared to save you time, money, and revisions well before development begins. 

Tailored For Complex B2B & Industrial Use Cases

Our discovery process is designed to tackle the complexities of B2B and industrial custom software projects -  be it legacy system integration issues, regulatory compliance issues or safety protocols. Our expertise allows us to dig deep into operational logic and infrastructure limitations to come up with a solution that really works. 

Cross-Functional Documentation & Stakeholder Sign-Off

We eliminate the possibility of misalignment across departments via detailed documentation that caters to key stakeholders with technical and non-technical roles. We develop concrete user stories for the engineering and operations team, flag compliance and other risks for legal and finance teams, and create visual mockups for executive teams so everyone can get on the same page. 

 Transition From Discovery To Agile Execution

Once we are through with our discovery phase, we seamlessly hand off the reins to our development team so your project can transition into its ‘agile execution phase’ without a hitch. Our discovery process lays the groundwork for the seamless development of software that aligns with business goals and user expectations, has limited scope for unexpected surprises, and stays within set budgets and timelines. 

Final Thoughts: A Smarter Start Leads To A Smoother Build

A stroke of luck does not determine the success of a custom software project. Planning does. This is why at Vestra Inet, we insist our clients go through the motions of a software development discovery phase. It is the smartest investment you can make considering it checks all the right boxes, including rework reduction, cost control, and accelerated delivery. Contact us if you want to align your internal team and clarify your software vision. We would be more than happy to help you plan and build the right solution for your business. 

FAQs

1. What is a software discovery phase?

A pre-development process, the core purpose of a discovery phase is to define your custom software project’s goals and requirements, along with associated risks, to ensure it can be developed seamlessly. 

2. How long does it take?

A typical software development discovery phase can take anywhere between 1 and 4 weeks. The wide variation exists to account for the complexity of the project. 

3. Is it required for small-scale custom software projects?

Yes. It is not mandatory, but having a discovery phase is the most effective way to guarantee alignment and scope clarity while avoiding miscommunication. 

4. Which documents are delivered after the discovery phase?

Once the discovery process is over, our clients can expect a consolidated document that covers technical requirements, workflow maps, wireframes and a development roadmap. 

5. Can a discovery phase cut development costs?

Yes. A discovery phase is critical for preventing scope creep and reworks, thus saving you both time and money in one shot.