Discovery Phase
The discovery phase is a very important process in web product development as it significantly increases the chances of successfully implementing a business idea. The goal of the discovery phase is to conduct initial research on the project, establish communication, and search for optimal implementation tools.
Contents
- Why is a Discovery Phase essential?
- What is Software Requirements Specification?
- Stages of the project development plan
- Required processes for documentation gathering
- Documents received as a result of the Discovery Phase
- Benefits of the Discovery Phase
- The difference between the discovery phase and a request for proposal
Why is a Discovery Phase essential?
Many small business owners are forced to close in their first year of operation. According to research by the Bureau of Labor, only 2 out of 10 businesses continue to operate during and beyond their first year. This means that having a brilliant idea is not enough to build a successful and profitable business.
It is important to gather all the necessary data and analyze it properly, identify potential risks, and formulate all future steps that will lead to the desired results with the least amount of costs.
Therefore, the discovery phase is essential for the successful implementation of a business idea. A quality and analyzed technical task is the first necessary step in developing a profitable product. Our team will help gather all analytical data, as well as formulate a list of functional requirements for the development process.
The planning stage will allow you to avoid unwanted expenses related to the development and form a clear understanding not only of the future result but also of the process.
What is Software Requirements Specification?
Software Requirements Specification (SRS) is a document that describes all the functions and requirements of a software product. During the development process, this document is also called a technical task. The content of these documents is regulated by various standards, although they perform almost the same function - a detailed description of the requirements and goals of development.
Stages of the project development plan
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Defining goals
Defining goals is the first and most crucial stage in which priority goals are formulated. They influence every decision made during the project development process. At this stage, possible ways of achieving the goals are explored, and the most optimal ones are chosen. Defining development goals is based on analysis and specific market research.
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The stage of collecting input data
During this stage, we prepare and analyze data that are crucial for determining the future direction of work on the project. Our specialists study the business environment of the future product and its main competitors, which helps to assess possible business risks and avoid unwanted costs associated with them. This stage also involves forming principles of interaction between your team and the development team. It is very important for our specialists to build a comfortable and productive working process based on trust and mutual respect.
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Specification development
Involves gathering, describing, and systematizing functional and non-functional requirements for the future product based on analytical research. The specification is created taking into account risk assessment.
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Development of the web product architecture
During this stage, our experts describe the structural elements of the product, and their interactions, and provide recommendations for creating a technical task. Creating architecture also includes modelling threats related to user interaction with the web service (for example, during the development of the architecture of a page for placing an order, possible threats to the protection of the client's personal data are taken into account).
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Summary
On the basis of all received methodologies, the volume of the project, time frame and development costs are estimated and an idea is formed about the composition of the team of specialists who will work on its implementation.
Required processes for documentation gathering
The necessary steps for gathering requirements, which involve working within Agile methodologies (Scrum or Kanban).
Requirements analysis
We collect and analyse all project data and data on the general market situation. Based on the needs of the future business, we compile a list of requirements, visualize necessary processes using block diagrams and charts, and provide an initial cost estimate for the future product.
Decision modelling
This involves transitioning from an approximate estimate to a precise one. We have a clearly formulated plan of action and a desired team configuration. Functional and non-functional requirements are fully formulated.
Design
Our team prepares concepts for future design.
Documents received as a result of the Discovery Phase
- Detailed technical specifications with all key responsibilities and aspects fixed that are relevant to the development process.
- Functional requirements - characteristics that the application or website should meet. They consist of user, system, and business requirements. They reflect how the system should work and how it will respond to specific user actions. For example, the process of registration and order placement.
- Non-functional requirements - characteristics that are not related to functionality or user interaction with the web product but are necessary for its quality performance. For example, requirements for loading speed, personal data protection, etc.
This is a fundamental document that is created after gathering and systematizing the general requirements for development. Contains:
Requirements for the future product can be presented in the form of diagrams, flowcharts, and other tools for visualizing data.
This is an approximate scheme of the future product. It serves as a guide for the team, helping to align and synchronize the customer's and team's understanding of the development results. The wireframe can have different degrees of detail depending on the needs. It can also be made for the user's journey, for one or all pages.
You will have a detailed estimate that calculates the total cost for the entire future project and each block is described by items of future expenses. Developing this document helps optimize the process and avoid unnecessary costs.
This document contains recommendations for future team composition. It includes information about which specific experts should be hired.
- Detailed technical specifications with all key responsibilities and aspects fixed that are relevant to the development process.
- Functional requirements - characteristics that the application or website should meet. They consist of user, system, and business requirements. They reflect how the system should work and how it will respond to specific user actions. For example, the process of registration and order placement.
- Non-functional requirements - characteristics that are not related to functionality or user interaction with the web product but are necessary for its quality performance. For example, requirements for loading speed, personal data protection, etc.
This is a fundamental document that is created after gathering and systematizing the general requirements for development. Contains:
Requirements for the future product can be presented in the form of diagrams, flowcharts, and other tools for visualizing data.
This is an approximate scheme of the future product. It serves as a guide for the team, helping to align and synchronize the customer's and team's understanding of the development results. The wireframe can have different degrees of detail depending on the needs. It can also be made for the user's journey, for one or all pages.
You will have a detailed estimate that calculates the total cost for the entire future project and each block is described by items of future expenses. Developing this document helps optimize the process and avoid unnecessary costs.
This document contains recommendations for future team composition. It includes information about which specific experts should be hired.
Benefits of the Discovery Phase
The discovery phase is based on regular interaction and communication between the client and the team of specialists. This will help you evaluate how our team works and determine if our experience and approach to project development are suitable for you. The results of the discovery phase can be used for collaboration with other software vendors in the future.
Business analysts, project managers, UI/UX designers, marketing specialists, technical developers, and testers are involved in the discovery phase. This provides you with the most qualitative and accurate preliminary analytical research.
You get a clear plan for your project, ensuring compliance with established project implementation timelines and development budgets.
The results of the discovery phase can be used for preliminary demonstrations of the future project, which will help you attract new investors or showcase it to future users as an announcement.
The difference between the discovery phase and a request for proposal
The Discovery Phase and A request for proposal are different stages of development.
As mentioned before, the Discovery Phase is the first stage of the development process, where goals are identified, functional and non-functional requirements are formulated, and fundamental documents (such as specifications) are created as the basis for the entire workflow.
An RFP (A request for proposal) is an official request from the client organization for proposals from potential contractor companies. An RFP contains the project goals, tasks, requirements, and desired budget. In response to this document, the developer is asked to provide detailed proposals describing the future process and possible ways to meet the client's needs.
It is more appropriate to adopt an RFP after the planning stage, as the client already has clearly formulated requirements and understands the project's purpose. Thanks to the RFP, the client can evaluate various developer companies and choose the one that offers the best solutions to meet their needs.
