Mobile app development project management: A detailed guide on methodologies

Developers may encounter many issues when creating a mobile application. From addressing bugs to ensuring timely delivery, there is a lot to take care of. This is why every app development company or team needs to adhere to project management guidelines. It ensures that their apps function as planned and do not exceed the budget or schedule.

Any project should start with a robust management strategy, as it is the first phase of any good plan. A mobile app development life cycle comprises five stages, and each phase is essential for a successful deployment of the app. So, let’s delve deep and learn more about project management methodologies and their relevance in optimizing every stage of development.

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Mobile app development lifecycle

It is essential to learn about the mobile app development lifecycle before jumping on project management for app development. In this section, we will explore the same.

Essentially, an app development project’s fundamental flow consists of the following five phases::

Discovery – In the first phase of the app development lifecycle, the idea of building an app is refined to distinguish it from a competitor’s app.
Designing – In the second phase, the team implements the idea by designing an app workflow and building a lightweight prototype.
Development and Testing – In the third phase, the software developers start with the iterative development work. The mobile app testing phase works in parallel with the development phase as it helps in the early detection and resolution of bugs. Quality assurance is an essential part where the app is tested for compliance to meet all the requirements.
Deployment – In the fourth phase, the marketing and sales team comes in to promote and popularize the app. A robust marketing campaign is as important as a feature-rich mobile application to create a buzz in the market and drive downloads and high ratings.
Maintenance – In the fifth phase, the developers work on bringing new features and upgrades to avoid a situation where app retention rates drop.

Different project management methodologies for app development

Let us cut to the chase and discuss the app development methodologies in this section. In the app development industry, there are five primary approaches to project management. They are as discussed below:

Method No. 1: Agile Project Management

The agile development approach is a manner of working instead of being a series of steps or phases. Agile project management promotes quickness and flexibility as an iterative process for completing a project.

The many stages and iterations happen in small bursts instead of a linear fashion from start to finish. It allows for the highest level of flexibility because conditions can change during a project. Requirements, design, programming, testing, deployment, and review are the phases of an agile project.

Method No. 2: Scrum Project Management

Agile’s guiding principles and basic ideals are also the foundation of Scrum, another popular project management approach for app development. However, there is a fine difference that differentiates scrum from agile. In the agile approach, the entire product is delivered at the end, but the project is divided into small deliveries delivered with smaller sprints.

Also, agile requires various cross-functional teams, but the scrum project team requires specific roles, like scrum master and product owner. The scrum approach is divided into five phases: initiation, planning & estimates, implementation, review & retrospect, and release.

Method No. 3: Extreme Programming Project Management

Another excellent method for creating apps is called “extreme programming.” It’s an agile framework designed specifically for producing top-notch software. XP has the most narrowly defined use case and set of software development guidelines of all the agile frameworks. These are the standard phases of XP: planning, managing, designing, coding, and testing.

Method No. 4: Waterfall Project Management

The waterfall method is the most basic approach to project planning. It might not be the most used method for creating advanced enterprise-level apps, but it works well for basic apps. It’s also crucial to remember that the waterfall project management methodology is the most user-friendly. Therefore, this technique can provide you confidence if you’re a new project manager who is just getting started.

The waterfall approach primarily focuses on following a series of steps sequentially. A task consists of successive steps that must be completed before moving on to the next. Like a cascade, everything moves downwards and there is no way to go back upstream.

Method No. 5: Kanban Project Management

Kanban project management, which applies to many projects, including the development of apps, is an additional simple technique. You will receive a visual breakdown of the tasks required to complete the app through this process along with your team.

Deliverables are generally classified into three categories: done, in process, and to-do. Once a launch has occurred, Kanban is also useful for managing bugs. Every time a new bug report is received, you have the option to add a new task or card to your backlog. When developers have a clear idea of what needs to be fixed, they can then move those cards from in progress to do.

Project management for app development: Why is it important?

Picture a busy kitchen where there is no head chef, and everyone is rushing around, chopping and scurrying. That is what happens when app development is done without sound project management. Not only is it necessary to code, but to keep everything cohesive so that the application transforms from a delicious concept to a wonderful reality.

Let’s understand the three main benefits of focusing on project management for app development.

Fosters team awareness

Good project management ensures everyone knows the project’s goal and expectations. Everyone will be aware of the events which will happen in the next steps. The key to overcoming the difficulties of app development is putting in place a strong project management plan.

Ensures seamless communication

Transparent and honest communication plays a fundamental part in any project management. The client, designers, and programmers are only a few of the many parties involved in the complex process of creating a mobile application. A project that is properly managed will have an easy-to-use communication system that ensures nothing crucial is missed.

Optimizes resource utilization

Managing the development of apps can help you make better use of the resources. Iteration is a necessary part of the product-making process. You can let users test the product and conduct market research before requesting any changes or updates to the product. Project managers can manage modifications while adhering to strict deadlines and budgets.

How to create a successful app development project management plan?

It is imperative to ensure that the project is organized, feasible to complete on schedule, and of high quality. These pointers will assist you in maintaining control of the project and keeping an eye out for problems early on.

Set goals and objectives

Measurable goals and objectives are essential for every successful app development project. Your project will remain on track and structured if you set goals, decide what has to be done at each step, and make a timetable ahead of time.

Early scope establishment will ensure easier project management and implementation. During planning, scope management helps to define the project’s goals, activities, deliverables, deadlines, and budget, setting project management for app development in place.

Identify required resources

It’s critical to think about the resources needed to assist you in reaching those objectives. It could include equipment, hardware, and software, as well as individuals with particular knowledge and abilities. If you have an idea for mobile app development but lack the team, then you could outsource your development project to a team of software developers or collaborate with a company that could build your app within minutes.

Resource management permeates every action taken during the project’s development. It requires a group of people, several tools, and software libraries. Ensure that the team has the necessary resources to complete the project in the allotted time. This is because the development timetable may get thrown off if any components are missing.

Build a development timeline

You must create a development schedule as soon as you have determined the project’s objectives and obtained the necessary supplies. The schedule should outline the steps that will be taken, as well as the milestones and the hours allocated for testing and troubleshooting. Although it’s hard to foresee every roadblock that may arise, a timeline keeps you on course.

Project experts are assigned duties and organized suitably by each management team. The project manager is responsible for forecasting the risks, classifying them as a high, medium, or low likelihood of preventing the project from being completed, and then putting a plan in place to mitigate those risks.

Draft a communication plan

After estimating the timeline, analyze it with the team and go over what is expected. Call a meeting so that everyone in the team may ask questions and discuss their progress on the project. Discuss the project scope with the team after defining it. It is the most important task for better project management. Help your software development team comprehend the tasks, objectives, and deadlines that have been set for them to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Create quality assurance guidelines

Quality assurance is a crucial part of the app development lifecycle because it ensures the app works as per the requirement. The quality assurance guidelines should include how much testing is required, how the code reviews should be done, and how automated testing should work. Automated testing can identify and resolve bugs quickly and easily. Also, ensure that the app passes every quality test before approval.

Make a risk management plan

The project manager has to be aware of the technical skill level of every team member. By considering this criterion, the team can easily avoid missing deadlines and project delays. The project manager reduces risks by monitoring activities and fostering team communication.

Maintain proper documentation

Proper documentation is a sign of successful project completion. The project manager is responsible for creating the project’s final documentation, which includes a description of the features, protocols, and requirements for the project that need to be implemented in the future. The project management and software development team can offer the required improvements to the app by referring to the documentation.

Project management tools for app development

App development projects can be accomplished with the aid of numerous project management tools. Here are some solutions that you can try out:

Trello

Trello is a useful tool for project managers to monitor the status of several projects and gauge the direction of work. Drag-and-drop tools make setting up a visual board to meet the needs of your project much easier.

Asana

Asana makes it easy to keep track of every task related to a particular project. All tasks related to any project can be planned, assigned, and moved, and their progress can be monitored with this all-in-one tool.

Basecamp

Basecamp is an effective project management tool. It can manage numerous projects at once in addition to discussion threads, calendars, charts, and many other features. You can also select from a variety of pre-made templates that are included with the tool.

Zoho Projects

Numerous capabilities are available on the Zoho platform, including visual boards, bug tracking, and staff time monitoring. It can be used for both agile software development and more traditional software engineering activities.

The bottom line

Selecting a project management methodology for app development is just half the fight. Finding software that can handle all of the complexities and a project manager who is capable and eager to take on the challenge are the other parts of the process.

A successful app cannot be created without effective project management. It is essential to ensure that all specifications are followed precisely, all modifications are implemented timely, and the budget and schedule specifications are followed closely.

Project management for app development can be hectic, but with the appropriate resources, you can bring out the best and optimize the results in your favor. It is advisable to try out a no-code platform that simplifies the process of app development and eliminates the need for any third-party project management tool.

AppMySite is one such solution where you can build an app within minutes and personalize it, all without any technical or coding knowledge. Build an app without any developer; all you need to do is get started for free. Start designing your app instantly or get in touch with our team for any assistance.

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