<p>Software development solutions are meant to be configured or custom-built to solve specific customer problems along with perfectly assembling the customized software products. Rocketech does it in an innovative way. It actually helps its clients to bring innovations to life by producing progressive software products using popular technologies.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img decoding="async" src="" alt=""></figure><p><a href="https://www.goodfirms.co/company/rocketech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Rocketech</strong></a> was established in 2015 in Kyiv and has now become one of the most powerful software development companies in entire Ukraine. The company specializes in analytics-driven web and mobile app development solutions and has developed 150+ products for more than 100 startups, enterprises, and tech businesses. Rocketech provides popular tech solutions that are highly acclaimed by customers in a variety of niches. </p>



<p>The apps developed by the company get recognized on app stores as ‘The Apps of the Day’, in popular award functions, and in many other app festivals by delivering a good web app experience and more. </p>



<p>Rocketech builds a reliable partnership with its client businesses of different sizes and industries. The company helps its partners by developing new products from scratch and stabilizing their existing products in the market. It develops MVPs for budding entrepreneurs and complex platforms for big-level organizations using Java, JavaScript, Go, PHP, Swift, and other languages and hundreds of other frameworks. The company uses cloud platforms for continuous product development, testing, and deployment. The team also smartly integrates cloud storage into already developed and ready-to-use solutions. </p>



<p>The team readily creates custom UX/UI solutions, brand identity, and illustrations along with all the visual components of the product. The company’s professionals provide the best consultation solution to their partner companies. It focuses on delivering value to the end customers with assuring sure returns to the business owners. The overall key knowledge areas of the tech experts in the company include Front-end Web Technologies, App Programming Interface, Backend Stack, Mobile Apps, Digital Product Design, DevOps, Cloud Providers, and Development Management. </p>



<p>The industries it serves for a variety of IT and tech-related solutions are Social Networks, Online &amp; Streaming Media Platforms, FinTech &amp; Investment Platforms, Review Aggregators, FoodTech &amp; Delivery, Travel &amp; Hospitality, Utilities &amp; Productivity Tools, Property Listings &amp; PropTech, Blockchain Solutions &amp; Crypto, CRM/ERP, Internet of Things, SaaS Platforms, LMS &amp; EdTech, HR Solutions, and E-Commerce &amp; Classified Marketplace.</p>



<p>From concepting, prototyping, to MVPs &amp; Full Product Development, and Scaling, Rocketech develops the full version of the software products a business needs. An entire project in the company starts with business analytics, lean startup coaching, and design thinking that further goes towards the full version of the minimal viable product. The company exceptionally serves its customers worldwide and is recognized as well as appreciated by all the third-party companies and review &amp; rating agencies for their brilliant performance. Rocketech ranks as the <strong><a href="https://www.goodfirms.co/directory/city/top-software-development-companies/kiev" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top software development company in Kyiv</a></strong> in the GoodFirms ranking list, where GoodFirms is a leading review and rating firm that acknowledges the performance of connected businesses.</p>



<p></p>



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Rocketech’s Innovative Tech-Solutions are Admired Worldwide: GoodFirms

<h1>Introduction</h1>


<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default">
<figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pexels-photomix-company-887751-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-242" width="359" height="240" srcset="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pexels-photomix-company-887751-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pexels-photomix-company-887751-158x106.jpg 158w" sizes="(max-width: 359px) 100vw, 359px"></figure></div>


<p>With around 5 million mobile apps being developed for different platforms like iOS and Android, do you ever wonder how an app is actually made? Well, here we are to answer all your questions regarding how to seamlessly start developing your mobile apps in 2021.</p>



<p>First things first, while building anything, for instance, a building, where do you need to start? By creating the frame right? That is the case with a mobile app as well; you will need a mobile app development framework, to begin with. </p>



<p>This framework provides the foundation for developing your code and enhances the efficiency of your development process. When you have a framework, you don’t need to create your app from scratch, making things much simpler.</p>



<p>With too many mobile app development frameworks available in the market, it might get difficult for you to make a decision. For that matter, we have brought you the best frameworks of 2021 along with their highlighting features so that you can choose the one that works the best for you. Go ahead and browse through our shortlisted frameworks to get started with developing your robust mobile app this year:</p>



<h1>What is a Mobile Application Framework?</h1>



<p>Mobile apps have become an integral part of the marketing strategy for businesses today. These apps help you reach out to your target audience while strengthening your user base. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.fatbit.com/fab/list-best-mobile-app-development-companies/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.fatbit.com/fab/list-best-mobile-app-development-companies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mobile app development companies</a> are, therefore booming as well as creating exceptional and creative apps. Developing an app isn’t a rocket science anymore; you don’t even need to be an expert in any complicated programming languages. </p>



<p>You need a good mobile app development framework and basic command in web-based languages like CSS, JavaScript, and HTML. The framework acts as a foundation or platform with all the components ranging from compilers and coding interfaces to debuggers and toolsets. </p>



<p>In a nutshell, you just have to write your app’s source code, and the framework will render the app using the various components.</p>



<h1>Types of Mobile Application and Frameworks</h1>



<p>There are three major types of mobile app out there:</p>



<ul><li>Native Apps: These apps are developed for a specific platform such as Android, iOS, and Windows and may use the features of the device such as camera, RAM, etc.</li>



<li>Web Apps: these apps function by using the interfaces of the browser.</li>



<li>Hybrid Apps: these apps are the combo of both the above apps.</li>
</ul><p>These apps are developed using native app frameworks and hybrid app frameworks. </p>



<h1>Top Mobile Application Development Frameworks 2021</h1>


<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default">
<figure class="alignright size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pexels-lisa-1092671-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-243" width="535" height="356" srcset="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pexels-lisa-1092671-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pexels-lisa-1092671-158x106.jpg 158w" sizes="(max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px"></figure></div>


<p>We bring you the top 5 mobile app development frameworks to help you develop apps in 2021 effortlessly.</p>



<h4><strong>Swiftic</strong></h4>



<p>Swiftic tops our list for being the ultimate DIY mobile app development framework for the iOS platform that enables and empowers its users to develop customized apps for their business needs and goals. Its interface brings effortless navigation. The reason for its popularity is that it allows you to import your existing online content so that you don’t have to start from scratch. Its user-friendly approach, exceptional guidance, and simple user interface are some more reasons that render this framework versatile and favorite among users. Swiftic incorporates the latest trends, such as app promotion, push notifications, and social media feeds.</p>



<p>What makes it even more exceptional is it’s 30 days money-back guarantee option. Not to forget the amazing ‘6-months success guarantee scheme’, which means in case you don’t get your desired results the service for 6 months will all be FREE!</p>



<p>You can create, develop, and publish your app from a SINGLE control panel! What more can you ask for? Here are a few of the highlighting features of Swiftic:</p>



<ul><li>App Promotion</li>



<li>Push notification</li>



<li>Social Media feeds</li>



<li>Menu and Ordering</li>



<li>Mobile store development</li>



<li>Loyalty cards and scratch cards for loyal shoppers and winning prizes, respectively.</li>



<li>In-app coupons</li>



<li>Effortless interface</li>



<li>Straightforward Communication</li>



<li>Advanced Analytics</li>



<li>Customer Engagement</li>



<li>Guidance for App Creation, Development and Publication </li>



<li>Third-party integration</li>
</ul><h4><strong>React Native</strong></h4>



<p>Next on our list is the React Native app development framework launched by Facebook in 2015 for the cross-platform development. Would you like to know why it has become the most used JavaScript frameworks in the app development industry? Because not only is it cost-efficient but also time-efficient with a very smooth learning curve for the developers.</p>



<p>Many businesses and startups have used it for their cross-platform app development needs. Its objective ‘learn once, write anything’ hold true till today. The developers are empowered to create mobile apps for both the iOS and Android platforms with their native feel and look. The framework even has modules for specific platforms. Its low code or single code repository is what makes it a cross-platform framework. You wouldn’t need to develop different apps for different platforms; just one development team for one app and it will function across all platforms. </p>



<p><strong>Some of the highlighting features of React Native include:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Supports both Android and iOS</li>



<li>Low code</li>



<li>Immaculate performance</li>



<li>Reusable components</li>



<li>Third-party integration</li>



<li>DeclarativeAPI that supports predictive User interface</li>
</ul><h4><strong>Framework7</strong></h4>



<p>Next on our list is the Framework7 which is an exceptional framework as it enables the developers to build all the apps ranging from iOS to Android to desktop and that too with the look and feel of native apps.</p>



<p>Framework7 is an open-source framework that is free and user-friendly and easy to learn and use. All you need to start developing exceptional apps with Framewrok7 is the proficiency in languages like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.</p>



<p>It brings in an amazing set of the user interface elements such as the action sheet, popup, side panels, list view, layout grid, and a lot more. Not only that, Framework7 brings added support for React, Svelte, and Vue.js.</p>



<p>In short, the mobile app development using this framework is a piece of cake, very fast and absolutely convenient! <strong>Some of the highlighting features of Framework7 are:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Brings in a rich set of elements with templates, icons, and plugins</li>



<li>Easily customizable</li>



<li>User-friendly interface and easy maintenance</li>



<li>An exceptional prototyping tool</li>
</ul><h4><strong>Ionic</strong></h4>



<p>Ionic is our next favorite mobile app framework that is employed all over the universe and has climbed the ladder as a favorite of the developers a little too quickly. The platform is free and uses a blend of the CSS3, HTML, and JavaScript languages to develop all three types of apps: native, web, and hybrid.</p>



<p>Ionic framework is the perfect choice when it comes to the development of hybrid apps or agile web apps that use HTML5 language. The hybrid apps created by this framework have all the qualities of both the web and native apps, from a uniform design to enhanced performance. Plus, these apps are supported across all platforms. The apps that are developed using this framework can be sent to multiple app stores and can be installed on any device using Capacitor/Cordova.</p>



<p>Its unique features have made it popular in the world of mobile app development so rapidly. <strong>Some of the highlighting features of Ionic include:</strong></p>



<ul><li>A very consistent and intuitive user interface and components</li>



<li>Cross-platform App development</li>



<li>Optimized Performance</li>



<li>Faster and convenient development</li>



<li>Potent development platform</li>



<li>User adaptability for ultimate control over the app development</li>
</ul><h4><strong>Flutter</strong></h4>



<p>Last but not least, on our list is Flutter. If you are looking to develop aesthetically pleasing mobile apps, then Flutter is the ultimate framework to do it. It includes a 2D graphics library called Skia that helps to take the visual aspect of any app to the next level.</p>



<p>Flutter incorporates striking animations, material designs, and intuitive widgets alongside an interactive UI, ensuring an exceptional experience for mobile users.</p>



<p>However, the amazing aesthetics and visuals don’t compromise the performance of the app at any cost. You will feel the seamless performance of the app, similar to a native one while scrolling and navigating. The icons and fonts will all appear like that of a native app. What makes it exceptional is the coding in dart language that you can use in more upcoming tasks. Plus, the fact that Flutter is backed by Google is reason enough to go try it with trust.</p>



<p><strong>Some of the highlighting features of Flutter include: </strong></p>



<ul><li>Faster Cross-platform Development</li>



<li>Built-in material design</li>



<li>Eye-catching and Interactive visuals</li>



<li>High Performance like Native</li>



<li>Built-in Cupertino widgets</li>



<li>Supports both iOS &amp; Android</li>



<li>Excellent widget support</li>



<li>Rich motion APIs</li>
</ul><h2>Bottom Line</h2>



<p>Our curated list of the top mobile app development frameworks has been created after weighing in factors like development time, aesthetics, operating systems and a lot more. The mobile app development is evolving with every passing day with the introduction of cross-platform apps and single-platform apps. We need to keep up with these technological changes to stay relevant in our businesses by creating up-to-date apps. Go on and explore <a href="https://www.rocketech.it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rocketech</a> for some exceptional development products and the latest news on development!</p>

Best Mobile App Development Frameworks in 2021

<p>SaaS stands for <strong>software as a service</strong> and refers to cloud-based software users can access through a website or a web app. Slack, Google Docs, Dropbox, and Shopify are just a few examples of cloud-based, software-as-a-service products.</p>



<p>Is SaaS development still a solely big players’ prerogative? Can startups enter this market? We summed up the most important points and explained how to build SaaS applications and solutions in this guide.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="624" height="301" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/saas-intro.png" alt="SaaS app development" class="wp-image-4292"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">SaaS app development</figcaption></figure><h2>SaaS Development Overview: What is a SaaS Solution?</h2>



<p>SaaS, or <strong>software as a service</strong>, refers to the use of the cloud to deliver licensed software that users can then pay for on a subscription basis. In other words, these are cloud solutions accessible through a web interface or a mobile app.</p>



<p>To work with such software, <strong>users</strong> <strong>don’t need to download and install anything on their computers</strong> or connect to an isolated corporate network. All you need to do is open it in an Internet browser. SaaS products can be anything from simpler office tools to complex enterprise-level software.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-primary-color has-light-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><em>SaaS is a business model for subscription software distribution. Users pay a set amount each week, month, or year and receive the service. </em></td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">What is SaaS?</figcaption></figure><h3>SaaS Product Types</h3>



<p>One of the reasons why the SaaS concept became so widespread is its <strong>versatility</strong>. Software-as-a-service products are now a big part of business ecosystems in nearly any field. Most often, they are grouped by <strong>industry</strong> or <strong>purpose</strong>. Here are the largest and most well-known types with examples.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/saas-product-types.png" alt="SaaS app development, developing SaaS applications" class="wp-image-4286" width="600" height="1500"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">SaaS product types</figcaption></figure><h3>Six Benefits of SaaS Solutions</h3>



<p>SaaS cloud platforms steadily replace conventional software installed in on-premises infrastructure. We summed up <strong>six main reasons</strong> why businesses choose to develop SaaS applications.</p>



<h4><em>#1 Easy to Set Up</em></h4>



<p>SaaS applications are <strong>web-based</strong>. It means users don’t have to configure them in a complicated way. Companies also don’t need to purchase infrastructure resources to run these cloud-based services.</p>



<h4><em>#2 Scalability</em></h4>



<p>As the business expands, companies can easily scale the SaaS solutions. This allows them to <strong>handle growing workloads and accommodate more users</strong>. In the case of traditional software requiring on-premises infrastructure, scalability often becomes a challenge.</p>



<h4><em>#3</em> <em>Convenient Payment</em></h4>



<p>The fee is <strong>included in the monthly (weekly or yearly, alternatively) operating costs</strong> and is easier for most companies to pay than an expensive software license. The subscription increases as the platform scales, naturally. However, the customer business doesn’t have to invest in additional infrastructure capacity.</p>



<h4><em>#4 Instant Updates</em></h4>



<p>Users benefit from SaaS <strong>software updates as soon as they are deployed</strong>. For comparison, when using conventional software, organizations have to purchase and install new versions to keep it up-to-date and access enhanced and additional features.</p>



<h4><em>#5 Accessibility </em></h4>



<p>Companies can use any SaaS application literally<strong> anytime and anywhere</strong>, as long as the Internet is available. It makes it easier to organize remote work, keep better control, and establish communication with stakeholders regardless of their physical location or time zones.</p>



<h4><em>#6 Trial Versions and Basic Plans</em></h4>



<p>Most SaaS products allow users <strong>to try them before making a decision</strong>. Instead of investing in an application that may not meet expectations blindly, users can test the features and see if they meet their needs.</p>



<h2><strong>How to Build a SaaS Platform in Six Steps</strong></h2>



<p>Here’s <strong>our six-step guide</strong> on how to create the software as a service.</p>



<h3>Step 1: Discovery</h3>



<p>Successful projects start with a thought-through roadmap and good planning. To that end, startups use methods of product discovery or a <a href="https://themanifest.com/app-development/blog/discovery-phase-definition-benefits#stages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">project discovery phase</a>. It revolves around <strong>three</strong> <strong>main aspects</strong>.</p>



<h4><em>Your Business Idea</em></h4>



<p>The first step towards creating your own SaaS solution is to understand exactly what you want to do, which problem, and how you want to solve it with cloud technology. In the case of SaaS application development, it’s usually making things easier to work with or moving software or your service to the cloud.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="940" height="788" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/saas-business-concepts.png" alt="SaaS business models, SaaS examples" class="wp-image-4288"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">SaaS business concepts</figcaption></figure><h4><em>Market Research and Analytics</em></h4>



<p>A comprehensive market study is essential to understand what your target customers need. Examine your competitors: design, features, marketing and advertising, pricing, and more. It will help you grasp how other startups implemented a similar idea, what worked well, and what can be improved to get a competitive advantage.</p>



<p>Conduct in-depth <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/the-guide-for-perfect-customer-development-problem-interview-checklist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">problem interviews</a> with your potential users. It’s the quickest, relatively inexpensive, and most secure way to find the product-market fit. Combining the data from your customer research and analytics allows you to define the basic functionality.</p>



<h4><em>Requirements and Documentation</em></h4>



<p>put, you need to create it so that managers would always understand the business requirements of every release, developers would plan every iteration and choose the right SaaS development tools, and QA engineers would test the right parts of the software.</p>



<p>It is also the stage when the requirements management process starts. It involves identifying, documenting, analyzing, and prioritizing project goals. In the case of a third-party service provider (a SaaS developer, for instance), it also registers obligations and liabilities.</p>



<h3>Step 2: Prototyping and Interface Design</h3>



<p>The next step in developing SaaS solutions is creating a <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prototype</a>. It should catch and <strong>convey the future product’s business logic schematically displayed</strong>. Although most likely you will make many changes at later development stages, a prototype can help define and readjust first features and, in some cases, already attract first investments.</p>



<h3>Step 3: Software Development and Building an MVP</h3>



<p>It’s the largest part of any software development project. It’s complex and often broken down into <strong>shorter iterations</strong>. Each iteration should create an increment — value for the end user. The iterative process usually starts with creating a <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">minimum viable product</a> (MVP).</p>



<p>The MVP has limited functionality (sometimes, just one feature), which is yet ready for a market release. This way, you can collect valuable feedback from the first users and plan and develop further features accordingly.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-warning-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Let’s discuss your business ideas.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-warning-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback" data-tags="funnel">Book a call</button></div>



<h3>Step 4: QA and Testing</h3>



<p>QA stands for <strong>quality assurance</strong>. QA engineers don’t just test software for bugs but maintain <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-set-up-qa-process-on-short-term-projects-that-rocks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">product standards</a> in the long run. Their main task is to prevent software defects and, as a result, ensure the high quality of the development process and its outcome.</p>



<p>Many startups with limited resources try to save up on the QA stage and required specialists. In reality, poorly organized QA processes lead to much bigger financial losses — from hiring specialists to fix badly-written code to losing customers due to a poorly functioning product.</p>



<h3>Step 5: Scaling and Maintenance</h3>



<p><strong>Development is never over with the full-product release</strong>. Successful ideas evolve, and profitable businesses expand. There are many strategies for scaling digital products. But it’s important to remember that (like with any other software type) for SaaS, programming doesn’t stop when you make it available in the market. For example, <em>Salesforce</em> <a href="https://www.salesforce.com/news/stories/the-history-of-salesforce/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">developed</a> machine learning, AI-based products to upsell them to existing customers and grow into new areas like social media marketing and advertising.</p>



<h3>Building a SaaS Product: Monetization Models</h3>



<p>Similarly to other software types, there are several ways to monetize a SaaS project. The choice of a pricing model depends on several factors, including <em>target audience</em>, <em>industry</em>, <em>feature number</em>, and <em>complexity</em>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/saas-monetization-models.png" alt="SaaS monetization models, SaaS business models" class="wp-image-4290" width="600" height="1500"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">SaaS monetization models</figcaption></figure><h2>Final Thoughts on SaaS App Development</h2>



<p>Although the idea of creating your own cloud-based product may seem unrealistic, more startups nowadays launch successful services in niche markets. However, there’s a catch. If your budget doesn’t include hiring an in-house tech team, you’ll need a trustworthy tech partner to support your business throughout the entire journey.</p>



<p>At Rocketech, we have <a href="https://rocketech.it/cases/saas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hands-on experience</a> with the SaaS development process from ideation to product launch and scaling. We offer our clients not only full-cycle software development services but also provide them with business advice and market expertise. Do you have a SaaS product idea? <a href="https://rocketech.it/contacts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Contact us</a> to discuss its potential.</p>

Developing SaaS Applications for Startups: How to Build a Successful Solution

<p>When you want to build a tech product, there are two ways. You can hire your own IT team and do it yourself or come to a professional vendor. Many people are scared to cooperate with agencies, and we understand why. I will try to explain how misunderstandings happen, what’s behind them, and how we solve them at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=blog" target="_blank">Rocketech</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/sign-a-contract-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4818"></figure><h2>Agencies Have Major Focus Issues</h2>



<p>Many agencies focus on sales performance and try to manage everything — marketing, design, development, HR services, and much more. We started several years ago and quickly understood that agencies must focus on <strong>services</strong>. The smaller the focus is, the easier it is to scale your business. From the customer’s perspective, it is better to choose a specific agency that works in your domain zone.</p>



<h2>Third-Party Teams</h2>



<p>A very common working model for agencies is outsourcing to some third-party companies. We understood it wouldn’t work if we wanted to establish long-term partnerships. With this approach, founders simply overpay for an agency’s “brand” and often encounter a conflict of interest on the development side. This way, the “brand” often lacks quality control.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><strong>At Rocketech, we collaborate only with our own developers who follow our standards. And this is the value we offer to our customers.</strong></p>
</blockquote>



<p>My advice to founders looking for a custom software development agency: look at the candidate-company LinkedIn page and the employee list. Check out their other social network profiles. It will help you understand who is communicating with you and who is going to be involved full-time only in your project.</p>



<h2>The Value You Get Every Hour</h2>



<p>We participate in different tenders around the globe and understand what is included in every hour of development. In the end, quality depends on the person delivering the service. </p>



<p>For example, we provide maximum value even for limited budgets. It means all our employees have a minimum of 5-6 years of experience (8+ years for business analysts and DevOps specialists). Besides, we don’t charge for recruitment and employee bonuses — it’s already included in hourly rates.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><strong>Every company has a unique process and working standards. Sometimes it takes time to understand what makes the price. </strong></p>
</blockquote>



<h2>Methodology of Delivery</h2>



<p>Most software development agencies follow either the <strong>Fixed Price</strong> or <strong>Time and Material</strong> (T&amp;M or outstaffing) collaboration model. They have specific discrepancies. Besides, the concept may vary from vendor to vendor. Here are the classic differences between the two approaches summed up.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td></td><td><strong>Time &amp; Material</strong></td><td><strong>Fixed Price</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Compensation</strong></td><td>Hourly</td><td>By phase (a specific part of the project)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Code transfer</strong></td><td>Full access during development</td><td>Upon the payment</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Team management</strong></td><td>Typically performed by the customer; the agency can provide some management, but control over the project depends on the customer</td><td>The agency’s responsibility; one single manager is assigned to communicate between the customer and the service provider</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Task</strong> <strong>management</strong></td><td>Done by the customer all the time</td><td>Fixed in the technical requirements document bound to the contract and inflexible during development; only extra annexes are possible</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Working process</strong></td><td>To be designed by the customer or already designed for the team to just follow it</td><td>No need to dive into it; the whole process happens internally; the customer only works with the project manager</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Budget</strong></td><td>Flexible and changes all the time; the product owner takes responsibility for it</td><td>Fixed at the beginning and can be changed only after the work is done</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Risks</strong></td><td>The customer is in charge of risks and risk management</td><td>Belong to the agency; it results in overcharging for every feature</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Changes</strong></td><td>Upon request and typically costs a few hours</td><td>After agreeing on everything and registering it in the annexes; typically expensive</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Technical requirements document</strong></td><td>Not vital and can be changed at any time</td><td>Created by the project’s product owner</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h2>Clear Requirements</h2>



<p>Regardless of which kind of project you delegate to a custom software development service provider, always try to be as clear as possible about what needs to be done and what you expect as a result.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><strong>The more detailed your tasks are, the easier and quicker the team will implement them.</strong></p>
</blockquote>



<p>We have different approaches to idea evaluation and testing based on our experience and business expertise we happily share with our customers. Naturally, building a marketable digital product is a challenging task, and founders come to agencies to get the best out of this cooperation. However, successful business owners are also product owners. Understanding and translating what needs to be done allows them to create products that skyrocket.</p>



<p><a href="https://rocketech.it/contacts">Contact us</a> for more details about our processes and collaboration models.</p>



<p><strong>Let’s make great digital products together!</strong></p>

Signing a Contract with an Agency: Pitfalls and Industry Insights

<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default">
<figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/istockphoto-1220744928-612x612-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-822" width="408" height="272" srcset="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/istockphoto-1220744928-612x612-1.jpg 612w, https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/istockphoto-1220744928-612x612-1-158x106.jpg 158w" sizes="(max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px"></figure></div>


<p>In this article, I’m going to talk about the main methods of developing mobile applications in 2021. Unfortunately, I will mention only the most common options in the startup market. The main reasons are the cost of development and the speed of building a team. Young companies need the most effective, inexpensive, and time-tested solutions.</p>



<p>There are two basic approaches to mobile app development:</p>



<ul><li>Native</li>



<li>Cross-platform.</li>
</ul><h2>Native </h2>



<p>The native approach to the development of mobile applications implies that the company/startup implements applications for each platform separately and in different programming languages. </p>



<h3>iOS</h3>



<p>All native iOS apps are implemented on Swift or Objective-C. All new applications are developed exclusively in Swift. Objective-C is used only to support legacy code and libraries, which are very expensive to refactor in Swift. iOS developers of the “new school” are often familiar with Objective-C just superficially. In order to work with the old code base, to work with Obj-C classes there’re bridges to Swift.</p>



<p>In short, the situation with native iOS development is more than clear, you need Swift. This Isn’t surprising, Swift was originally developed by Apple, specifically iOS and macOS development.</p>



<h3>Android</h3>



<p>The Android apps are mainly developed with Kotlin or Java. Kotlin is backward-compatible with Java. To all that is written in the same language, you can address from another one. It works both ways. Developers are in no hurry to finally switch to Kotlin, but increasingly prefer to develop applications from scratch with it. But, unlike iOS programmers, who don’t actually need Obj-C, Android developers are absolutely required to have experience with Java.</p>



<p>Kotlin was created by Russian students of ITMO University specifically for Android development needs. The language is easier to learn and easier to access in the Android SDK. That’s why its community is growing so rapidly.</p>



<p><strong>Benefits of native development</strong>:</p>



<ul><li>The application is integrated into the system’s UI/UX. The user of each platform has their own behavior patterns and habits. The native approach allows you to make the application as familiar and convenient as possible.</li>



<li>Performance. The development uses tools for a specific platform to the maximum, thereby ensuring the performance of the application. Native code works perfectly with hardware, and even complex applications, with the right approach, will work the same way as pre-installed ones. We can guarantee maximum responsiveness of the interface and a good user experience.</li>



<li>Quality. As a rule, there are much fewer bugs and crashes in native applications. Of course, developers are responsible too, but developing for one platform usually is much easier.</li>



<li>There are no restrictions. All pre-installed applications and a large number of OS elements are developed with the same tools that the platform holder provides to you. The native code has access without any problems to the camera, microphone, GPS, accelerometer, notifications, and so on. </li>



<li>Native applications are more flexible and scalable. You can safely expand the functionality and don’t be afraid that the application will be slow and work with failures. Native development tools actually have no limit to the possibilities.</li>
</ul><h2>Cross-Platform</h2>



<p>The cross-platform approach uses specialized tools that help you develop an application for several platforms at once. </p>



<h3><sub>PWA</sub> </h3>



<p>PWA (<em>Progressive Web Application</em>) is a cross-platform web application. This application can be opened on any device, but it uses the browser engine to work.</p>



<p>Google is actively promoting PWA and is quite successful in integrating this technology into Android. Android can already execute all JavaScript code and work with the capabilities of devices almost without restrictions. If Google continues to lobby for PWA at the same pace, then it will definitely take some part of the mobile apps market.</p>



<p><strong>BUT! </strong>I strongly advise against developing mobile applications using PWA at the moment. There’re some reasons below:</p>



<ul><li>Unlike Android, Apple restricts this technology a lot. Without native code and plugins, you won’t be able to release them in the Appstore. Despite Apple has given support for PWA in Safari, they are still hostile. Your app has to pretend to be a native.</li>



<li>The performance is worse. Mobile operating systems handle machine code much better than JavaScript.</li>



<li>All browser restrictions apply to PWA as well. Especially in iOS.</li>
</ul><p>In short, PWA is a new interesting philosophy that may push native apps out of stores in the future, but so far there are more questions than answers. Companies like Google can invest huge resources in the development and support of applications, but for everyone else, it is quite risky and unpredictable.</p>



<h3>Hybrid Apps</h3>



<p>Hybrid apps are more of a cross-platform approach to native app development. Hybrid applications are developed using the same technology for several platforms at once but are assembled into separate native applications. Such development is usually built on libraries that somehow have native code on the inside.</p>



<p><strong>Pros</strong>: </p>



<ul><li>A common code base for most of the functionality. For some functionality, such as accessing the server API, platform developers write almost the same code. In a hybrid approach, this functionality can be made into a separate code that is common to all platforms. Working with such code takes twice fewer man-hours as in the case of native development. </li>



<li>Resources optimization. As a rule, simple projects are built a little faster and only by one developer. This is probably the main advantage of this approach to application development. </li>
</ul><p><strong>Cons</strong>:</p>



<ul><li><strong>UI/UX Design</strong>. All platforms have their own guidelines regarding the design of applications for them. These guidelines are made so that the application doesn’t break out of the style and does not annoy the user. In cross-platform you have to design for all platforms once or develop a design for each OS separately. But it takes a lot of resources and cross-platform loses its meaning.</li>



<li><strong>User experience</strong>. Performance, interface responsiveness, and operation speed in cross-platform apps are much worse than in native ones.</li>



<li><strong>Functionality</strong>. Almost every cross-platform solution has some restrictions. Some technologies don’t work well with cameras, geolocation, offline operation, and device memory. There’s a big risk of features that are very difficult to implement. It means you’ll have to develop natively.</li>



<li><strong>Quality</strong>. The cross-platform approach is a compromise between resource savings and the quality of the final product.</li>
</ul><p>In a nutshell, the main problem if you’re developing a quite complex product, you’ll have to support and extend actually 3 codebases, instead of 2, as with native. All the restrictions on functionality and performance can be solved, but it’s not easy and two more developers will be needed. There’s a risk of reaching a dead end. Getting out of it may become more expensive than developing the application for two platforms separately from the beginning.</p>



<h3>Hybrid Technologies</h3>



<p>The most popular hybrid solutions at the moment are <strong>React Native</strong> and <strong>Flutter</strong>.</p>



<p><strong>React Native</strong> was developed by <em>Facebook </em>and is actively used in its apps. <strong>Flutter </strong>was invented by a team inside <em>Google</em>.</p>



<ul><li>React Native is older; development takes longer but imposes fewer risks.</li>



<li>Flutter is more progressive; it’s possible to build an MVP faster, but due to the fact that the technology is new, the risks are still high.</li>
</ul><p>In the foreseeable future, Flutter could capture a large part of the mobile app development market due to the fast-growing community and the huge support from Google. </p>



<p>Both technologies have the risk of very expensive and complex support and development. As the functionality grows, it becomes more and more difficult for the application to keep its quality and performance high. So, for example, Airbnb abandoned React Native. However, they did it not in favor of Flutter but of the native code. But for a long time, they worked with React Native and made a huge contribution to the RN community.</p>



<h2>Conclusion</h2>



<p>At the moment, cross-platform applications are far inferior to native ones in terms of performance, user experience, interface responsiveness, and UI/UX. On the other hand, technologies such as Flutter and React Native, and even PWA, can decently save your resources on simple projects. Founders just have to decide on priorities either quality or saving resources for marketing as an option.</p>



<p>We always recommend looking out for the requirements and the situation in your market. At the discovery stage, based on your requirements and plans, our team will be able to select the appropriate tech stack and talk about the risks associated with each of them. The decision is always yours.</p>

Mobile Development Trends and Approaches

<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/danielle-macinnes-IuLgi9PWETU-unsplash-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-42" width="350" height="232" srcset="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/danielle-macinnes-IuLgi9PWETU-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/danielle-macinnes-IuLgi9PWETU-unsplash-158x106.jpg 158w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px"></figure></div>


<p>The concept of “Minimum Viable Product” (MVP) has been widely popularized in the development world through the Lean Startup model. An MVP is a basic version of a product that can be launched on the market to get validation right from customers during its early stage.</p>



<p>As a kind of “fail fast” approach is cost-saving in that it allows flaws to be identified before time and money are abundantly invested in the development. Early adopters are used to identifying cases when the product wouldn’t succeed or identify how the course of development should be adjusted.</p>



<p>MVP can be structured differently depending on the field and the purpose of a certain product. But one thing is essential in this work: any idea of a product should go through meticulous research of the target audience and the competitors long before customer validation on the market. </p>



<p>The efforts put into this phase bring immense advantages of understanding why the product should exist, what forms, visuals, and essential features can help create an emotional connection with the audience, and what is necessary for successful launching on the market. This preparatory research can drastically shape the process of defining an MVP of the product.</p>



<p>However, even that work can’t completely insulate the process from some surprises when the product falls within Utility tools. The picture between what the product should be and what the product could be can change considerably after beginning work with a development team.</p>



<p>Here are the popular difficulties we are facing when developing this kind of product.</p>



<h2>1. The Backend Service Behind a «Simple» Functionality</h2>



<p>Some features that might look simple on the surface may have a grand backend service behind them. This service can take months to build and/or turn into a network that serves the simple button on an application or a website.</p>



<p>It is not always obvious what stands behind some technologies we are taking for granted and what data is available to easily get from the system or the Internet network through an application or a website.</p>



<p>It might run counter to what an MVP should be especially when time or budget-limited.</p>



<p>For example, a product that shows in a given moment the actual speed of the Internet should virtually measure the speed of data transfer. That product should know where to pass data and a receiver should accept it and measure the time of transferring. This process repeats in reverse order to calculate both download and upload speeds.</p>



<p>The service that maintains this possibility possesses a lot of quality attributes, located on multiple servers to provide real-time high-fidelity measures for many customers across the world.</p>



<p>The network of these servers itself is a great product on the market and can be evaluated separately.</p>



<h2>2. New Technologies Required</h2>



<p>Some features may sound like a good idea, but there is no technology yet to bring it to fruition. It could require up to years of kind of scientific work to create this technology. It might be greatly rewarded after all but there is no guarantee of getting a result in a certain timeline.</p>



<p>For example, a new technology of interactions is to be created to get some specific technical information from surrounding devices a user doesn’t have any physical access to.</p>



<h2>3. Related Area Involved</h2>



<p>Some features go hand in hand with solutions in related areas. What may seem limited to digital products sometimes is involved with other technical fields. So getting a product done consisting of those features requires having subject-matter experts in a developing team who can take care of those solutions. However, there aren’t many outsourcing software development companies staffed with those experts permanently, restricting their ability to make estimates on those types of projects and work on them.</p>



<p>For example, features that involve working with analog signals instead of only digital ones require having specific experts. If a product should obtain data from temperature sensors, photocells, or light sensors, we can say for sure that it won’t be something ordinary from the developing perspective.</p>



<h2>4. Apple Limitations</h2>



<p>Sometimes some attractive features are forbidden for iOS applications due to Apple policy, so developers can only work with the public APIs provided by Apple. Sometimes there could be workarounds that still solve the customer’s problems but worsen their experience with an application.</p>



<p>Those workarounds might not be so obvious and difficult to discover if no one has ever done it before. After discovering one, the next difficulty is assessing whether or not a customer’s need impels them to use the workaround and pay for it. </p>



<p>An MVP may become a risky undertaking.</p>



<p>To frustrate matters further, Apple’s policy can change, leaving uncertainty in development. </p>



<p>For example, in 2020 Apple didn’t allow access to calls of users for applications, and iOS applications that offer call records provide a recording line that should be merged with a user’s call into a conference.</p>



<h2>5. Integration with Third Parties</h2>



<p>Fortunately, most listed difficulties can be solved by other ready services which were developed before and maybe even for other needs. So the work of a development team simply boils down to integration with service and implementation of the desirable «button» in a product.</p>



<p>There are only a few cons:</p>



<ul><li>dependency on the performance of a third party;</li>



<li>possible limits of service.</li>
</ul><p>Despite that, using a third party instead of doing it on one’s own is fully under the MVP concept.</p>



<p>Speaking of Utility tools, it is important to invest in research and initial grooming of technical features with a development team before handing off something to development. This is to avoid waste and be able to adjust the product concept in the early stages.</p>



<p>In the end, we see the tendency that there is nearly always a way to build an MVP of a Utility tool that earns an approbation on the market.</p>



<p>We at Rocketech create MVPs for different industries, please check our cases <a href="https://rocketech.it/cases" data-type="URL">here</a>.</p>

How to Avoid Difficulties Building an MVP for Utility Tools

<p>Hardly any business doesn’t need an online presence or a digital product. Custom software development is no longer a luxury but rather a necessity for companies to survive tough market competition. And for many organizations, it’s a challenge to choose between <strong>creating an internal IT department </strong>and <strong>outsourcing software development</strong>.</p>



<p>What does your business need to hire in-house developers? What are the main benefits of the dedicated team model? The Rocketech experts explain the difference between these approaches.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/64.png" alt="Remote dedicated software development team services" class="wp-image-5287"></figure><h2><strong>In-House Department vs. Dedicated Team Model, Explained</strong></h2>



<p>While the notion of an in-house team is rather familiar to the general public, some business founders may still be confused about the dedicated development team concept. Let’s define the two approaches before going into detail.</p>



<ul><li>An <strong>in-house IT department</strong> is an internal team of tech and software development professionals hired by your company and working exclusively as a part of your business. In-house teams have rigid hierarchies and depend on the overall organization’s development strategy.</li>
</ul><ul><li>A <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/dedicated-team-the-future-of-software-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>dedicated team model</strong></a> is a specific IT and software development outsourcing type. While the tech team technically does not belong to your company (i.e., they are not your employees), you have total control over the project you delegate.</li>
</ul><p>Both approaches have undeniable benefits and certain controversies. The final decision always depends on the company’s individual requirements and business goals. Here are the differences between an in-house and dedicated team, organized by the operations aspects.</p>



<h3><strong>Recruitment Process</strong></h3>



<ul><li><strong>In-House Team</strong></li>
</ul><p>If you go for an internal tech department, <strong>you are fully responsible for all recruiting and hiring processes</strong>. They cost money and sometimes take months. These are the costs of posting job ads and promoting them. Good recruiters also have high rates — they monitor the market, select candidates, make calls, prepare summaries, and arrange interviews. On top of that, proper recruitment requires a well-organized onboarding process, which means more work for your HR department.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Dedicated Team</strong></li>
</ul><p>If you opt for a dedicated team, <strong>the recruitment is already done</strong>. Such squads are usually well-adjusted and perfectly organized. Here your task is to choose a company providing dedicated development team services. The IT industry offers many options, from cheap offshore outsourcing to teams consisting of technical-degree professionals only.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-primary-color has-gray-50-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>When choosing a software development outsourcing company, take your time to <strong>go through the portfolios</strong> and prepare detailed questions for their managers.<br><strong>Ideally, the specialists assigned to your project should have experience in your niche and similar products</strong>.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h4>The Recruitment Processes Compared</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td></td><td><strong>In-House Team</strong></td><td><strong>Dedicated Team</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Benefits</strong></td><td>You select an employee according to your company values and corporate culture. You can regulate the salary and discuss it with candidates. You can monitor the internal team’s dynamics and psychological well-being.</td><td>The outsourcing company takes care of all recruiting and hiring processes. The team is already well-adjusted; there’s no risk of conflicts affecting productivity. The service provider assigns all specialists required for the project’s successful completion.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Drawbacks</strong></td><td>You have to look for each specialist for your team; it takes time and costs a lot. You need to ensure your employees are satisfied with work conditions and salaries and not planning to leave.</td><td>You can’t negotiate the rates. You don’t know the team members and need time to adjust to their working process.</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Recruiting pros and cons</figcaption></figure><h3><strong>Long-Term Expenses</strong></h3>



<p>Whether you decide to build your internal IT department or hire a dedicated software development team, it’s always a strategic decision. However, <strong>in-house teams</strong> <strong>are traditionally associated with high long-term costs</strong>. Here’s what you need to remember.</p>



<ul><li>Hiring in-house employees ultimately means <strong>extra expenses</strong> for social security payments, health insurance, paid vacations and sick leaves, commuting costs, and other benefits and perks.</li>



<li>You need to provide <strong>decent physical working conditions</strong>. It includes comfortable offices and quality equipment. In the case of software developers, designers, and QA engineers, we are talking about state-of-the-art hardware and software.</li>



<li>You need to be constantly involved in the <strong>social dynamics </strong>of your team and take care of their <strong>well-being</strong>. Unhappy employees migrate, leaving employers with the challenges of new hires.</li>



<li>You need a<strong> continuous task flow</strong>. Hiring an in-house department should be at least justified by a sufficient amount of work to keep the team busy all the time.</li>
</ul><figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-primary-color has-gray-50-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>Hiring a dedicated development team doesn’t mean people working on your project aren’t satisfied with their working conditions and benefits. It simply means their well-being is their hiring company’s concern, and you can focus on your business objectives.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>While an internal team sounds like a lot of work and extra running costs, it’s a good fit for <strong>companies running background checks of their employees</strong> (even permanent) and <strong>working with sensitive data</strong>. It’s also a preferred model for organizations that put their corporate culture on top of all business operations and have a complex selection process.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Ready to take your IT project to the next level but don’t know how to find developers? We can help.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a call</button></div>



<h3><strong>Management</strong></h3>



<p><strong>Five aspects of IT management apply to both internal departments and remote outsourcing teams</strong>. These <strong>requirements </strong>are vital for department managers, project managers, and team leaders and are universal across employment models:</p>



<ol><li>Highest-level expertise in information and communication technologies.</li>



<li>Comprehensive documentation of the enterprise’s entire IT infrastructure with methods for working with specific software and equipment.</li>



<li>Building backup systems in particular and fault tolerance systems in general.</li>



<li>The organization of a complex monitoring system for all equipment, software, and development processes.</li>



<li>Employee training.</li>
</ol><p><strong>You should consider delegating the tech tasks to a third party with the required expertise if any of these conditions don’t fit your growth strategy</strong> (for any reason). This way, you significantly cut expenses on these services and have enough time to focus on other business objectives.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/65.png" alt="Custom software development" class="wp-image-5290"></figure><h3><strong>Communication</strong></h3>



<ul><li><strong>In-House Team</strong></li>
</ul><p>When your company hires staff, <strong>building communication becomes your tactical task</strong>. You select candidates, expecting them to fit into the team, be able to work with each other, and share company values. </p>



<p>However, all onboarding and internal training procedures become your responsibility as well. You need to establish effective ways of communication between IT team members and between departments. On the other hand, it’s also up to you to choose collaboration tools and create a corporate culture.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Dedicated Team</strong></li>
</ul><p>In most cases, <strong>IT project delegating means limited communication between the client and developers</strong>. Many customers prefer to stay in contact only with the project manager of an outsourcing software development provider to save time. However, <strong>more clients seek more transparency and involvement in their projects</strong>.</p>



<p>At Rocketech, we have made them the underlying principles of communication between our dedicated teams and clients. Our customers are encouraged to interact with each team member and engage with the process. <strong>Yet, they don’t have to spend time on operational matters</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td></td><td><strong>In-House Team</strong></td><td><strong>Dedicated Team</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Benefits</strong></td><td>You participate in the process directly as a company executive. You can see how your employees react to criticism and can adjust your management tactics. You can evaluate your employees and reassign tasks and roles.</td><td>You don’t have to micromanage each specialist’s every move. Even if you opt out of full engagement in the process, you’ll still get detailed reports of every stage as a part of the contract. Your dedicated team starts immediately; all work and communication processes are set up already.</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Comparing communication approaches</figcaption></figure><h3><strong>Control and Monitoring</strong></h3>



<p>Some entrepreneurs are under the assumption that it’s easier to control an <strong>internal IT department</strong> — you can assign a specific role for this task or even install video surveillance at the office. However, you should consider the following:</p>



<ul><li>Costs of buying and maintaining equipment.</li>



<li>Remuneration of the person in control.</li>



<li>The level of involvement of the person in control: IT specialists who understand the process mostly expect higher salaries.</li>
</ul><p><strong>One of the main dedicated team benefits is the contract</strong>. It regulates every detail of the client-team collaboration, including <strong>timely reports</strong> on each project’s stage, <strong>deadlines</strong>, <strong>roles</strong>, and <strong>the overall scope of work</strong>. Every dedicated team member is interested in the appropriate delivery of their part of the work. Otherwise, most contracts provide penalties for the service provider.</p>



<h2><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></h2>



<p>Building an internal IT department has many advantages but in certain cases becomes time-consuming and inefficient. Large companies that base their business on digital products prefer to create and maintain their own tech teams. They usually have sufficient budgets and extensive operations to provide an entire department’s viability.</p>



<p>Startups and small businesses, on the other hand, rarely have enough funding and capacity to create a new department from scratch. Many companies choose rigid outsourcing options like time and material contracts and soon get disappointed.</p>



<p>At Rocketech, we created our dedicated development team model — <strong>a flexible contract based on transparency, expertise, and involvement</strong>. Our dedicated teams are formed and assigned according to the unique requirements of every project and each client.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Learn how our dedicated team can help you save time and money. Get a free consultation.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a call</button></div>

In-House IT Department or Dedicated Team: What Is More Profitable for Your Business?

<p>Innovative startup projects go hand in hand with uncertainty. Before you invest in new technology, ideas, or methods, you want to prove that they will work. <strong>Any innovative idea involves risks and therefore requires proper testing</strong>. And it’s not only during the development process but also in pre-development and (especially) investment phases.</p>



<p>If you question costs, directions, limitations, and the overall product’s concept, the worst course of action is to rely on intuition and any subjective judgments. To test concepts, ideas, and feature feasibility, businesses use <strong>prototyping</strong>, <strong>proof of concept</strong>, or <strong>minimal viable products</strong>.</p>



<p>The three models sometimes cause confusion as they serve smilingly similar purposes. However, there are significant nuances. We created a guide to help you understand the <strong>core differences between prototypes, PoC, and MVP.</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/mvp-poc-prototype.png" alt="Businesses use prototyping, PoC, and MVP to test product ideas and feasibility." class="wp-image-5192"></figure><h2><strong>What Is a Prototype?</strong></h2>



<p>Simply put, a prototype is a stage in creating the product’s interface design. In a broader sense, prototyping is building a layout or a model of a future product to determine whether the product’s structure, functionality, and overall concept are correct. </p>



<p>Essentially, a<strong> prototype is a product’s draft</strong> reflecting its design, logic, and basic functionality. Designers can make it interactive, collect all screens in a single model, and establish internal relationships and links. An interactive prototype is like a 3D model of a building developed by architects before the construction starts.</p>



<h3>Prototype Advantages</h3>



<p>A prototype has <strong>two main benefits</strong>:</p>



<ol><li>It minimizes misunderstandings between stakeholders (managers, designers, programmers, and clients). It structures the thoughts and prevents errors and unnecessary assignments in the early stages of development.</li>



<li>You can test the future product (for example, a mobile app) by involving a focus group. It provides the response of your target audience and helps you adjust the product idea.</li>
</ol><p>In the case of <a href="https://rocketech.it/services" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IT services</a> delegation, it’s an effective way of communication between the client and the service provider. The outsourcing company shows the prototype to the client for approval and makes adjustments (if needed) before the actual development process. This way, it’s easy to see all screens, test buttons, and other interface elements. It also helps you evaluate if the product-user interaction scheme requires any modifications.</p>



<h3><strong>When Should You Use a Prototype?</strong></h3>



<ol><li>Prototypes help you see your product idea from an alternative point of view and find gaps in the concept.</li>



<li>You can edit and adjust a prototype instantly and without any risk. And it’s efficient under tight deadlines and small budgets.</li>



<li>Prototypes help business owners and startups estimate the balanced development cost quite accurately. </li>
</ol><h2><strong>What Is a PoC?</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Proof of concept (PoC) is a vivid justification of the idea’s feasibility</strong>. It’s a method to prove (or disprove) that the idea is worthwhile and can enter the market. It can be a new feature of an existing company product, an extension of a product line, or a brand-new product for startups. The main point is to prove that the idea, method, or technology works (or they don’t).</p>



<p>Proof of concept is a broad and popular method successfully applied in many business fields. In software development, PoC can show that some technical problems can be solved and how to solve them. For example, PoC is a good way to test whether your company can technically integrate a product into an existing enterprise system and how to do it effectively.</p>



<h3><strong>When Should You Use a PoC?</strong></h3>



<p>Proof of concept doesn’t cover the whole system or your entire product but only a small part of it, which users most likely won’t see at all. In other words, PoC is a relatively small, purpose-specific study that gives you a green (or red) light for further actions, whether it’s starting a new project or developing an existing one. </p>



<p><strong>PoC is an important step when it comes to long-term, complex, and therefore expensive projects</strong>. It’s an effective tool to verify a new feature of your product before spending money on its development and implementation.</p>



<p>Moreover, this method can help you convince a potential investor or stakeholder that your idea is worth it and that you can keep the promises. It gives an overview of whether the concept is feasible and how to implement it.</p>



<h2><strong>What Is an MVP?</strong></h2>



<p>A <strong>minimal viable product</strong> (<strong>MVP</strong>) <strong>is a test yet stable, error-free version of a product</strong> or service with a minimal set of features (sometimes even one) that carries value for the end user. Businesses create MVPs to test hypotheses and prove if the product is valuable and marketable.</p>



<p>The results of such testing and feedback from the target audience demonstrate whether you should develop the product further, how you need to adjust the strategy, and what should be left untouched. Successful MVP testing paves the way for attracting investors. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="500" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/prototype-poc-or-mvp.png" alt="Prototypes, proofs of concept, and minimal viable products have a lot in common but have different goals. " class="wp-image-5197"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Prototype, PoC, or MVP?</figcaption></figure><h3><strong>MVP Success Story</strong></h3>



<p>In 2006, Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon launched a small service with one function — music streaming. Today their product, <strong>Spotify</strong>, is worth <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://companiesmarketcap.com/spotify/marketcap/" target="_blank">almost $25 billion</a>, features major recording studios, and has over 400 million monthly active users.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-right">
<p></p>
<cite><strong>“By focusing on the customer need and problem, a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.product-frameworks.com/Spotify-MVP.html" target="_blank">good MVP</a> will deliver incremental solutions that actually help to address that need instead of half-baked pieces of a solution that may eventually help them.”<br><em>Henrik Kniberg, Spotify’s product coach</em></strong></cite></blockquote>



<h3><strong>When Should You Use an MVP?</strong></h3>



<p>The short answer is <strong>in the early stages of product development</strong>. The reality is that even the best ideas fail if you don’t use an organized approach. Instead of investing big money in the beginning, there’s an option of little cost and accurate verification. Once you’ve released a minimum viable product, you’ll determine the demand and whether or not you’re moving the project in the right direction.</p>



<p>The <strong>MVP’s biggest advantage</strong> is collecting priceless information from the first users. Your end-users will provide feedback about the correct implementation of the project. And by using this data, you can plan future upgrades and prioritize them — which functions you should introduce and develop first.</p>



<h2><strong>Comparing Prototype, PoC, and MVP</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td></td><td><strong>Prototype</strong></td><td><strong>PoC</strong></td><td><strong>MVP</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Purpose</strong></td><td>To verify the implementation and usability of multiple functions</td><td>To validate the feasibility of an idea or one function</td><td>To create a viable product with minimal effort</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Target Audience</strong></td><td>Potential investors</td><td>Internal team</td><td>Clients,  stakeholders, end-users</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Further Use</strong></td><td>Design layout and product logic for further development</td><td>Tested features are implemented in the product</td><td>The first product version</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Value</strong></td><td>Potential for investments</td><td>Idea, concept, or feature elaboration</td><td>Finished product</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Resources</strong></td><td>Minimum resources and tech expertise </td><td>Purpose-specific tech and business expertise </td><td>Tech expertise for a product development</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Prototype, PoC, or MVP: Comparison</figcaption></figure><h2><strong>Rocketech Expert Approach</strong></h2>



<p>Prototyping, proving a concept, and creating a minimal viable product have a lot in common but still have different goals. <strong>Moreover, as your project develops, your PoC can grow into a prototype or MVP</strong>. And your MVP may eventually need multiple PoC projects to determine the features your product needs to stay successful on the market.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p></p>
<cite><strong>In typical project progression scenarios, startups use prototypes to attract investors and get resources to develop a fully functioning minimal viable product. An MVP is all about launching your product as soon as possible and verifying monetization models. Meanwhile, PoC is a powerful instrument for understanding the product’s technical challenges and finding a way to meet them efficiently. </strong></cite></blockquote>



<p>Any product’s creation and development are complex, gradual, and multi-step processes. Some stages require the completion of previous ones, some can be implemented simultaneously. Any of your favorite apps took a long time to get their current style, design, and features. </p>



<p><strong>An IT project’s life cycle is a continuous process that ends only when there’s a decision to shut it down and requires maximum flexibility</strong>. Rocketech’s carefully structured <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/workflow" target="_blank">workflow</a> is based on full support and agility. Our experts guide our partners from <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" target="_blank">project discovery</a> to scaling working products. We adjust to the unique needs of every client and each project. Whether it’s a clickable prototype or a functioning version of the product ready for launch — we provide business analytics expertise to choose the option that works best.</p>



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Prototype, PoC, or MVP: What Will Work For Your Product?

<p>Launching a new product is a bold venture and a severe challenge for startup founders. In an environment where disruption is the norm and new competitors can emerge overnight, startups need to move fast to capture market share and stay ahead of the competition. It makes <strong>time to market</strong> (especially in software development) a <strong>crucial metric</strong>.</p>



<p>In other words, <strong>being able to deliver a product or service to the market ahead of your competition and changes can make the difference between success and failure for a startup</strong>. In our guide for startups, we summed up the fundamentals of the topic and some insights on how to reduce time to market.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ttm.png" alt="Why is TTM crucial for your business?" class="wp-image-5147"></figure><h2>What Is Time to Market?</h2>



<p>Time to market, often referred to as TTM, is the amount of time it takes for a company to take its product from conception to its commercial release. Time to market is critical for startups as it can determine their resilience. Simply put, <strong>if a startup takes too long to bring its product to market, it may miss the window of opportunity and be overtaken by competitors</strong>.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>Time To Market (TTM) is the period from ideation to the product’s market launch or the moment the business sells it to a customer. In the startup environment, TTM is one of the most crucial metrics determining the business’ success potential.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<p>At the same time, the time-to-market definition includes other critical aspects as the team goes through several main stages when developing a new product or feature:</p>



<ul><li>Idea generation</li>



<li>Design</li>



<li>Development</li>



<li>Market launch</li>
</ul><p>TTM is critical when we talk about high end-product costs, rapid innovations, and periods of economic volatility. However, regardless of what strategies you use to cut the delivery time, one aspect must remain constant — quality.</p>



<h3>Is Time to Market a KPI?</h3>



<p>The short answer is yes. <strong>Time to market is </strong><strong>considered a key performance indicator (KPI)</strong> for many startups and companies. Moreover, it impacts a variety of other KPIs like revenue, market share, customer satisfaction, and profitability.</p>



<p>When used as a KPI, TTM can provide valuable insights into a company’s ability to innovate, adapt to market changes, and meet customer needs. Measuring TTM has a primary goal — to identify areas for improvement to cut the time the company needs to start making profits.</p>



<h2>Why Is Time to Market Pivotal for Your Startup?</h2>



<p>Sometimes experts use an alternative term, “<strong>time to revenue</strong>”. The concept reflects a simple idea: until all the necessary preparation steps have been completed, the company will not start earning on the new product.</p>



<p>In the startup environment, founders often lack the resources to invest in projects that don’t provide quick returns, especially since there is always the risk of failure. However, <strong>reducing TTM can help companies save a significant amount of money</strong>.</p>



<p>Shortening the time needed to develop a new software solution, for example, can also reduce the budget required for IT specialists’ salaries. It means you can allocate those resources toward expanding your business strategy.</p>



<h3>Competitive Advantage</h3>



<p>Having a well-defined strategy, young startups can create a competitive advantage through a short time to market in several ways.</p>



<h4>Immediate Customer Feedback</h4>



<p>The key to launching a successful product is to gather feedback from real customers as soon as possible. This is the idea behind creating a minimum viable product (MVP) that includes only the essential features. By releasing an MVP, you can gather valuable feedback from the first users and utilize it to refine and improve your product. This approach follows the principle of iterative development — every feature you add to the product is exactly what your customers need.</p>



<h4>Early Market Entry</h4>



<p>Naturally, if you manage to find an “empty” niche, the faster you reach your target audience, the better chances you have to become the pacesetter. By getting to market first, startups can build brand awareness, establish themselves as thought leaders, and capture market share before competitors catch up.</p>



<h4>Increased Agility</h4>



<p>In the world of volatile market conditions, being able to adjust to change is critical. Companies with far-reaching (we are talking about planning for years ahead) visions no longer survive the competition. Fast launch helps you see your market “from the inside” and adapt to changes as quickly as possible.</p>



<h3>Funding and Investment</h3>



<p>Making your startup attractive for investors is another solid reason why time to market is important. VCs focus on startups with a clear and concise plan for bringing their product to market. Long TTM often becomes a red flag for stakeholders. It may indicate that a startup is inefficient or unable to carry out its plan.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="2000" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/time-to-market-infograph.png" alt="Fast time to market allows businesses to gain a competitive advantage and attract investments." class="wp-image-5149"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">What you get with fast time to market</figcaption></figure><h2>What Happens if Time to Market Takes Too Long</h2>



<p>The longer it takes to deliver your product to customers, the longer you don’t get paid. Simple as that. Moreover, it means you lose the money you could be earning already. In many cases, time-to-market challenges like <strong>cost of delay (CoD)</strong> can become fatal for a new enterprise.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-primary-color has-gray-50-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>Cost of delay (CoD) is a metric that measures the impact of delaying a project or feature. It’s a way of quantifying the potential cost of not delivering a feature or a product on time, taking into account the impact on revenue, customer satisfaction, and other vital business factors.</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cost of delay definition</figcaption></figure><h3>Who Did It Wrong</h3>



<p>By analyzing real-life time-to-market examples, aspiring business founders can learn best practices, make predictions, and devise better planning strategies. Although it may sound surprising, even big players have a story or two of missing the window.</p>



<h4>Microsoft’s Windows Vista</h4>



<p>The tech giant <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://petri.com/microsoft-closes-book-windows-vista/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://petri.com/microsoft-closes-book-windows-vista/" target="_blank">released</a> its infamous operating system in 2007, five years after the release of its predecessor, Windows XP. Continuous changes to the operating system’s architecture and security features were among other reasons for its long time to market. The extended development time led to missed market opportunities and negative feedback from customers due to the operating system’s perceived sluggishness and compatibility issues. In the end, Vista was widely considered a failure, and Microsoft quickly released its successor, Windows 7, just two years later.</p>



<h4>Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner</h4>



<p>Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner was first <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://simpleflying.com/boeing-787-nine-years/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://simpleflying.com/boeing-787-nine-years/" target="_blank">announced</a> in 2003, but the aircraft did not enter commercial service until 2011, eight years later. Design changes, supply chain issues, and technical challenges massively affected the anticipated launch. The delay resulted in significant financial losses for Boeing, as customers canceled orders and turned to competitor Airbus.</p>



<h2>Reducing Time to Market: 5 Essential Tips</h2>



<p>When you develop a <strong>product development strategy</strong>, faster time to market becomes one of your priorities. Typically, it depends on innovation, features, and quality. Reaching a balance between these aspects determines success. It also means that promptly entering the market doesn’t necessarily equal profit if any of your strategy’s elements need more development.</p>



<p>Here are our insights on how to shorten time to market while maintaining quality.</p>



<h3>#1 Find Your Tech Partner</h3>



<p>Don’t look for a tech vendor to tell you what you already know. Strong partnerships are based on complementation. However, always check the candidates’ portfolios for hands-on experience in your niche, industry, or desired technology. While your partner needs to provide the knowledge you lack, a comprehensive understanding of the environment is an essential requirement.</p>



<h3>#2 Follow the Agile Development Practices</h3>



<p>Follow agile development practices to break down complex projects into smaller, more manageable tasks and complete them in short sprints. Following agile development methodologies (like Scrum) will help you speed up the product development process, reduce the risk of delays, and improve the quality of your final product.</p>



<h3>#3 Integrate DevOps</h3>



<p>DevOps is a set of practices that combines software development and IT operations to create a more efficient and effective development process. Experienced custom software development providers have already <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/top-10-devops-tools-to-watch-for-in-2022" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/top-10-devops-tools-to-watch-for-in-2022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">well-established DevOps processes</a> to automate tasks, streamline workflows, and reduce the time it takes to test and deploy the product.</p>



<h3>#4 Discovery Phase Roadmap</h3>



<p>Over <a href="https://www.failory.com/blog/startup-failure-rate" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.failory.com/blog/startup-failure-rate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">90% of startups don’t survive</a> because they either fail to find the product-market fit or simply don’t have a solid plan. A carefully crafted <strong><a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discovery phase</a></strong> will help you avoid both fatal mistakes. It will help you hit multiple goals, from market research and product vision to detailed backlog and cost optimization.</p>



<h3>#5 Build an MVP</h3>



<p>A <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">minimum viable product</a> (MVP) is a basic version of a product that includes only the essential features needed to solve a customer’s problem. Essentially, it’s the most powerful instrument for gathering customer feedback and testing new business hypotheses. On top of that, it’s the fastest way to the first investments.</p>



<h3>Who Did It Right</h3>



<p>Analyzing the experience of existing players works both for bad and good examples. While you can learn what not to do from famous fails, there’s nothing wrong with following a few working ideas from those who did it well.</p>



<h4>Amazon</h4>



<p>One way Amazon reduces TTM is by using a process called “<strong><a href="https://fourweekmba.com/working-backwards/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://fourweekmba.com/working-backwards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">working backwards</a></strong>.” It involves starting with the customer and working back to the product, identifying customer needs, and creating a product that meets them as quickly as possible. Additionally, Amazon uses agile development methodologies and rapid prototyping and leverages technology to streamline its product development process.</p>



<h4>Netflix</h4>



<p>Netflix reduced TTM for its streaming service by using a <strong><a href="https://www.aidataanalytics.network/data-science-ai/articles/data-science-at-netflix-how-advanced-data-analytics-helped-netflix-generate-billions" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.aidataanalytics.network/data-science-ai/articles/data-science-at-netflix-how-advanced-data-analytics-helped-netflix-generate-billions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data-driven approach</a></strong> to content creation. The entertainment giant uses data analytics to identify trends and genres and develop original content based on those insights. Additionally, Netflix perfected its recommendation algorithms to quickly adapt to changing customer preferences.</p>



<h2>Launching Fast with Rocketech</h2>



<p>At Rocketech, we focus on long-term, productive partnerships and offer a 360 approach to product development. We help startups go a long way from ideation to the first investments and revenue as soon as possible. Our <a href="https://rocketech.it/cases" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/cases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experience </a>and well-established processes have proved that launching software faster works.</p>



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From Idea to Launch: The Startup's Guide to Reducing Time to Market

<p>Most software development projects have a standard structure. While developers, QA engineers, UX/UI designers, and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/project-manager-and-scrum-master-which-role-fits-your-project" target="_blank">project managers</a> have clearly defined functions, the role of a <strong>business analyst</strong> in an IT project may be sometimes confusing for clients outsourcing their tech projects. </p>



<p>What does a business analyst do? Why do companies need business analysts? What are the benefits of having such a specialist assigned to your project? The Rocketech experts summed up the answers to these questions in five simple reasons.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ba.png" alt="Business analyst is doing estimations" class="wp-image-5101"></figure><h2><strong>What is Business Analysis?</strong></h2>



<p>Imagine a hypothetical scenario: a client needs an automated telemedicine management platform (creating and synchronizing schedules, making appointments, updating patients’ information, etc.). </p>



<p>The client subcontracts a development team. Each team member equally communicates with the client, writes their part of the code, and does a fair share of testing. And as long as the tasks are relatively simple, everything goes well. Suddenly, the working scheme fails when the team needs to develop a more complex, business-specific subsystem. The client no longer accepts the results and considers changing the subcontractor.</p>



<p>In many cases, the reason for this outcome is straightforward — <strong>the developers lack extensive knowledge of the client’s industry</strong> and the time to dive deep into understanding the business processes the software is to cater for.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><strong><em>The business analysis</em></strong><em> combines methods and practices defining the organisation’s current state of affairs and growth goals. By using the organisation’s past performance, such practices empower informed decision-making and help leaders develop comprehensive plans to reach the set goals.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<p>In custom software development, <strong>business analysts</strong> (<strong>BA</strong>) <strong>act as a “bridge” between the customer and the tech team</strong>. They address a wide range of questions, from “What does the client’s business need?” and “What does the end user want?” to “How should it be implemented in the product?”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="2000" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/business-analyst-responsibilities.png" alt="The business analyst role implies a set of functions and responsibilities." class="wp-image-5105"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Business Analyst Responsibilities</figcaption></figure><h2><strong>5 Reasons Why a Business Analyst is Important</strong></h2>



<p>In simple words, everything a good business analyst does revolves around the word ‘<strong>requirements</strong>’. Analysts define, document, and manage them. However, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. A more detailed role description will shed some light on why you should sign up a business analyst for your project.</p>



<h2><strong>#1 They Define Your Project’s Requirements</strong></h2>



<p>From the BA’s perspective, the project’s first step is to gather as much information as possible (including <strong>elicitation in business analysis</strong>). It mostly involves:</p>



<ul><li>The client’s business performance data;</li>



<li>The client’s goals;</li>



<li>Prototyping;</li>



<li>Customer interviews, surveys, and focus groups;</li>



<li>Product requirements;</li>



<li>Competitors’ analysis;</li>



<li>Information about the client’s industry or the product’s niche.</li>
</ul><p>By analyzing this data and communicating with stakeholders, business analysts understand the project’s objectives and what the client wants to achieve. According to this, <strong>BAs articulate the project’s requirements</strong> and ensure they are clear to all participants.</p>



<p>Many BAs come to the IT sector from other fields. These professionals have extensive practical experience in particular industries and niches, which helps them formulate the requirements. However, it’s impossible to prepare for projects across all industries. In that respect, quick adaptability to new topics and environments is one of the most required skills of a business analyst.</p>



<h2><strong>#2 They Connect Your Business with the Development Team</strong></h2>



<p>Here’s another common case. A client comes to a developer with a requirement, “I want a website identical to the one our competitors have”. The developer requests detailed terms of reference to understand what the client expects. But the client keeps insisting on the “identical product”.</p>



<p>However, during a more thorough discussion, it turns out that the client doesn’t need the ‘Compare’ button or two separate pages for payment and delivery. Here, what is an “identical website” for the client is a completely different functionality for the developer.</p>



<p>The opposite also happens. Sometimes the development team creates highly-functional products but fails to explain them to the customer if using technical terms that the latter simply doesn’t understand.</p>



<p>The business analyst’s task is to connect your business and your product vision with a team of software developers, designers, and QA engineers. That’s why, besides technical and industry knowledge, BAs are required to be strategic communicators. They know what the customer wants and can translate it into easy-to-comprehend concepts for both the client and the team.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>Before the development even begins, the business analyst defines the requirements in detail and communicates them to the developers by explaining what features the product needs and how they should function. </em></p>
</blockquote>



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<h2><strong>#3 They Write Documentation</strong></h2>



<p>Some IT professionals joke that if BAs are not in a meeting, they must be writing documentation. In fact, it is the most time-consuming part of a tech business analyst’s day-to-day activities, which is also crucial for the overall project’s outcome. </p>



<p>Here are the <strong>main documentation types</strong> business analysts deal with.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Software Requirements Specification</strong></li>
</ul><p>BAs turn the client’s creative thoughts into a structured document that clearly describes what the development team needs to do. After the client approves this document, it becomes the project’s foundation.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Change Request</strong></li>
</ul><p>Projects often change, adjusting to new market conditions or budget amendments. The client would often request certain modifications in the product or development process after the project has already started. BAs document each of them, stating which system part is modified and how it affects time and cost.  </p>



<ul><li><strong>User Manuals</strong></li>
</ul><p>User manuals include instructions for the client and training materials for end-users. They describe how to use the system and provide tips and answers to frequent questions.</p>



<h2><strong>#4 They Perform Testing</strong></h2>



<p>Since it is the business analyst’s role in an IT project to recognize and interpret the customer’s requirements and desires, it’s often them who verify the results of the programmers’ work.</p>



<p>The crucial practice at this stage is <strong>User Acceptance Testing</strong> (UAT), the process of validating the product’s effectiveness and functionality. By performing UAT, BAs:</p>



<ul><li>Understand how the product functions in “real-world” conditions and whether the result is as intended;</li>



<li>Determine if all possible features have been added;</li>



<li>Check if any bugs will hinder the user experience.</li>
</ul><p>BAs don’t verify the objects’ sizes and colors or write automated scripts. It should be part of a well-organized<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-set-up-qa-process-on-short-term-projects-that-rocks" target="_blank"> QA process</a>. Rather, they test the product from the end-user perspective. Is it convenient and intuitive? Has the team managed to implement business logic? Are there any inconsistencies?</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>Business analysts are aware of the software bottlenecks and hacks unknown to the client. The unbiased system assessment is vital — the sooner BAs identify them, the easier it is to fix them.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<h2><strong>#5 They Are Strategists with a Backup Plan</strong></h2>



<p>A business analyst role is all about “<strong>learning fast</strong>”. Many experts <a href="https://www.businessanalystlearnings.com/blog/2016/3/4/the-empathetic-business-analyst" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highlight</a> <strong>empathy</strong> as a critical requirement for this position. Besides a quick and deep dive into new niches and subjects, it involved a complete understanding of the product idea, the people developing it, and the end-users it’s meant for.</p>



<p>The importance of business analysis is in a <strong>holistic </strong>(or systemic)<strong> vision</strong>. It includes the highest-level planning skills and strategic thinking. When BAs enter a new area, they must realize its complexity, identify the key elements and link them together. And it is how they build a knowledge system.</p>



<p>At the same time, analysts don’t exist in a vacuum. They interact with each team member and recognize their experience and competencies. Such a comprehensive overview of the team and working processes enables them to anticipate possible drawbacks and rapidly find solutions to critical issues.</p>



<p><strong>Related article</strong>: <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Discovery Phase: Why Is It Crucial for Your Project Success?</a></p>



<h2><strong>Rocketech Expertise</strong></h2>



<p>At Rocketech, we understand that business analysis in software development plays an essential part. The process of creating successful digital products includes <em>policies</em>, <em>standards</em>, <em>technologies</em>, the <em>environment</em>, and <em>people</em>. <strong>And the business analyst’s best practices involve connecting all these elements</strong>.</p>



<p>Our philosophy is to partner with our clients and share our expertise. Most Rocketech projects involve a business analyst role. Our BAs assess the partners’ organizations, synthesize information, and help the leaders develop the most cost-effective strategies to bring their business to a new level.</p>



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5 Reasons Your Project Needs a Business Analyst

<p>Launching a product-based startup is overwhelming, and many aspiring entrepreneurs end up losing focus and burying seemingly brilliant ideas. The discovery phase (especially in the agile approach to software development) can help you stay on track, define your business goals, and find ways to achieve them.</p>



<p>Clients often approach custom software development companies with minimum information about what they want and why. <strong>The discovery phase helps both sides understand what the business actually needs and how different the real goals are from the client’s desires</strong>. Here’s what you need to know about the project kick-off and how to get maximum value from it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/discovery-phase.png" alt="Discovery phase in agile software development" class="wp-image-5055"></figure><h2>What is a Discovery Phase, and Why Do You Need It?</h2>



<p>Most Internet sources will explain the discovery phase definition as a “process of information gathering.” Although technically, it’s not wrong, an effective project initiation implies much more than just listening to the client’s wishes and desires and looking up what potential competitors are doing.</p>



<p><strong>The discovery phase in software development is a preliminary stage helping a project team understand the software project’s scope, requirements, goals, and objectives. </strong>The discovery phase’s purpose is to establish a shared understanding between the <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/dedicated-team-the-future-of-software-development" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/dedicated-team-the-future-of-software-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">development team</a> and the stakeholders (e.g., the business, end-users, or customers). Ideally, everyone involved should know what the project will entail and deliver and how to meet the needs of all parties.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>The discovery phase is the first crucial development stage designed to set business goals and draw a roadmap toward achieving them. It’s aimed at defining the product, analyzing the market, and learning what the target audience needs. As a result, it helps all stakeholders understand each other’s expectations and establish efficient cooperation.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<p>So, what is a project discovery? In real-life projects, this stage goes beyond simply discussing ideas and writing a technical specification. It helps the client and the service provider to:</p>



<ol><li><strong>Clarify project objectives</strong>: It helps identify and formulate project objectives to ensure that the software project will bring the desired results.</li>



<li><strong>Reduce project risks</strong>: By thoroughly defining the project requirements and scope during the discovery, businesses can reduce the risk of misunderstandings during the development phase. Miscommunication always leads to financial losses.</li>



<li><strong>Improve project efficiency</strong>: It helps predict potential technical challenges and obstacles early on, allowing the project team to plan and prepare accordingly, improving project efficiency.</li>
</ol><p>In other words, every piece of information collected during the discovery stage helps the tech vendor determine the scope of work and time frames and plan the project tasks. It has one big ultimate goal — <strong>to create a quality software product designed for the client’s needs</strong>.</p>



<h3>Project Discovery: What Is Included?</h3>



<p>While the initial activities are about planning, the first stage itself must be well-planned. The discovery phase steps typically cover the main aspects of project management, <strong>from ideation to the implementation roadmap</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="2000" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/dph-goals-infograph-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5078"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Discovery Phase Goals</figcaption></figure><h3>The Discovery Phase of a Software Development Project: Who Is Involved?</h3>



<p>Naturally, discovery teams may vary depending on the project’s size and complexity and the client’s specific needs. However, based on our experience, the following specialists make up the best combination.</p>



<h4>Business Analyst</h4>



<p>A business analyst gathers and analyzes market- and product-related data and makes recommendations to decision-makers. Use cases, user stories, reports, and business processes are right up their alley. BAs bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders and ensure that the project’s tech sides align with the client’s business goals.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>For example, the client needs an online booking system integrated into the product. If the vendor starts with technical questions about the functionality, they may miss some crucial requirements. Why does the client need it? What does it solve? Here, the BA’s task is to listen carefully, build logical connections, and clarify controversies.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<h4>Solution Architect</h4>



<p>A solution architect is an experienced specialist who sets goals and objectives for the project execution, finds the best technical solutions, describes the software’s structure and behavior, and distributes functions between developers. They also consider cost, scalability, and compatibility with existing systems while making decisions.</p>



<h4>Developers</h4>



<p>Software developers with diverse expertise help the discovery team make more precise <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-estimate-the-cost-of-sofware-development" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-estimate-the-cost-of-sofware-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimations</a>. Professionals who have participated in several similar projects (comparable functionality, the same frameworks, domains, product types, etc.) evaluate the project’s potential based on their hands-on experience.</p>



<h4>UX/UI Designers</h4>



<p>User experience and user interface specialists can create wireframes and clickable prototypes if those are part of the discovery. Their main task is to show what the future application will look like. However, they also help the team assess the project’s complexity.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>For a B2C product targeting mainstream users, UX designers would be an essential part of the discovery team — user experience is crucial for such solutions. Now let’s take entirely technical projects focusing on professionals in a particular niche. Here, UX plays a secondary role, while purely technical requirements become the first priority. The discovery phases for these examples will be different.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<h4>Scrum Master</h4>



<p>The formula <strong>Business Analyst+Scrum Master</strong> proves to be more efficient than a single Project Manager who, in the end, takes on too many tasks and often loses focus. While the BA connects business and development, the Scrum Master is responsible for efficiency, transparency, timing, and evaluation.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="823" height="690" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/dph-team.png" alt="The discovery phase in agile software development relies on a well-organized and professional team.
" class="wp-image-5071"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Discovery Phase Team</figcaption></figure><h3>The Main Benefits of a Discovery Phase</h3>



<p>Successful project management and discovery must bring tangible advantages to all stakeholders. For example, businesses can predict risks and minimize financial losses in the long run. Here’s the list of the <strong>key benefits of a discovery phase</strong>:</p>



<ul><li>A better understanding of project requirements;</li>



<li>Defined project scope and evaluated project complexity;</li>



<li>Detailed and simplified budgeting and planning;</li>



<li>Project estimations based on the team’s hands-on experience;</li>



<li>Improved team efficiency;</li>



<li>Enhanced project alignment and agreement;</li>



<li>Improved communication and collaboration between all stakeholders;</li>



<li>Reduced and mitigated risks (first of all, financial);</li>



<li>The balance between business objectives and the market need;</li>



<li>A clear technical description;</li>



<li>Visualized product vision.</li>
</ul><p>The main advantage of any discovery phase is <strong>a detailed action plan</strong> created by people who will follow it. By taking the time to plan and communicate effectively, you and your tech contractor turn an abstract idea into a real roadmap based on your business needs, market conditions, and budget.</p>



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<h2>What Will Happen if You Skip the Discovery Phase Activities?</h2>



<p>In a nutshell, make a list of the things that can go wrong and imagine that most of them did go wrong. <strong>Lack of planning</strong> — and efficient planning is the purpose of any discovery phase — <strong>always has significant consequences</strong>. We’ve summed up the most common of them.</p>



<h3>Misaligned Expectations</h3>



<p>Without a discovery phase, you may end up having a conflict of “three products”: what you expected, what the development team created, and what your target audience is ready to pay for. Most often, they are completely different.</p>



<h3>Scope Creep</h3>



<p>Without a clearly defined plan, projects easily grow beyond the original objectives and goals. It leads to missed deadlines, increased costs, and often even wasted budgets.</p>



<p><em>Related article:</em> <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-avoid-common-project-estimation-mistakes" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-avoid-common-project-estimation-mistakes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How to Avoid Common Project Estimation Mistakes</a></p>



<h3>Technical Issues</h3>



<p>The discovery phase helps you identify and address technical challenges and limitations before development starts. For example, different programming languages, libraries, or APIs are not fully compatible with each other. It requires finding alternative solutions or making changes to the code. Experienced developers will consider such issues and the time to solve them before encountering them.</p>



<h3>Increased Project Risks</h3>



<p>Unexpected technical difficulties, lack of resources, changes in requirements, or miscommunication between team members lead to delays in delivery. In turn, every delay leads to increased costs and frustration among the stakeholders. Risk mitigation is one of the discovery phase’s main purposes.</p>



<h3>Unclear Budget and Time Frames</h3>



<p>Imagine your development team increasing the bill after every iteration, while you are still not seeing the results. It’s a likely scenario in terms of budget and deadlines if you skip the discovery phase. The developers don’t have a well-articulated goal and can’t keep track of smaller objectives while the time is running out.</p>



<h3>A Product Nobody Needs</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.failory.com/blog/startup-failure-rate" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.failory.com/blog/startup-failure-rate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">9 out of 10 startups fail</a>. Most of them fail because the founders think they know what their target audience needs and wants. In reality, they don’t. The discovery phase is an instrument devised to find product-market fit through customer development activities like <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/the-guide-for-perfect-customer-development-problem-interview-checklist" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/the-guide-for-perfect-customer-development-problem-interview-checklist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">problem </a>and <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/what-is-a-solution-interview-in-customer-development" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/what-is-a-solution-interview-in-customer-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solution </a>interviews and working directly with real customers’ feedback.</p>



<h2>The Discovery Phase Deliverables</h2>



<p>Many startup founders are skeptical about the discovery phase as it may seem like an abstract discussion of possible ways of doing things. However, by the end of this stage, <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-choose-your-tech-vendor-the-insider-guide" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-choose-your-tech-vendor-the-insider-guide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">your tech vendor</a> must provide you with actual and well-documented results. <strong>It’s a ready action plan</strong>.</p>



<p><strong>The discovery phase’s main outputs </strong>typically include:</p>



<ol><li>A clear and agreed-upon <strong>project scope</strong> that outlines the project goals and objectives, requirements, and constraints.</li>



<li>A detailed <strong>project plan</strong> that outlines the timeline, budget, and resources required to complete the project.</li>



<li>A high-level <strong>solution design</strong> that defines the architecture and technical approach to the project.</li>



<li><strong>Alignment</strong> <strong>and approval</strong> between the stakeholders, business, and development team on the project goals, requirements, and solution design.</li>



<li><strong>Identification and mitigation of potential project risks</strong> and challenges and the ways of solving them.</li>



<li><strong>Improved communication and collaboration</strong> between the stakeholders, business, and development team ensuring the project is executed smoothly and efficiently.</li>
</ol><figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>Our most experienced specialists designed the three Discovery Phase Packages covering all project initiation aspects and devised for different budgets and levels of involvement.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="2500" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/dph-packages-infographics-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5081"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocketech Discovery Phase Packages</figcaption></figure><h2>The Discovery Phase with Rocketech</h2>



<p>At Rocketech, we start every project with a <strong>discovery sprint</strong> — a workshop with a seasoned business analyst experienced in the customer’s industry or niche. The BA gathers business requirements and helps the client prioritize tasks based on business goals and vision, build a development team, and make initial development investments as clear and relevant as possible. <strong>A discovery phase project plan with Rocketech is a thought-through roadmap to launching a successful marketable digital product</strong>.</p>



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The Discovery Phase: Why Is It Crucial for Your Project Success?

<p>Whether you plan to outsource IT projects entirely or partially, scale your business, or create a digital product to launch a startup — you need to find a service provider. It’s easy to get some tips on how to choose the right custom software development company. Most sources will provide you with a relatively standard checklist that includes exploring a candidate company’s reputation, ratings, and portfolio. </p>



<p>However, there’s more to it. The Rocketech experts prepared our insider guide on how to choose an IT vendor effectively, approach this essential task strategically, and eventually <strong>select a long-term trustworthy tech partner</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/choose.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4709"></figure><h2><strong>Roles</strong></h2>



<p>Often, a company delegating its IT tasks and projects is imagined as a mythical “client” who gives the tech vendor money in exchange for services. While it’s not far from the truth, the journey begins with defining who is the actual customer and which role this executive has in the company. <strong>The client’s role determines the communication’s begin and impacts the entire collaboration dynamics from day one</strong>. Here are the two most common scenarios.</p>



<h3><strong>Founders and Product Owners</strong></h3>



<p>Both founders and product owners dive deep into the project. <strong>They understand the product and have the necessary market expertise to make informed business decisions</strong>. </p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><strong><em>The product Owner</em></strong><em> (</em><strong><em>PO</em></strong><em>) is the product development and management specialist in digital projects responsible for the end product’s vision and value to the user. POs act simultaneously as entrepreneurs and managers: they generate and test hypotheses and take risks while guiding the development team. </em></p>
</blockquote>



<p>While the contracts are signed with founders, POs often take over most of <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/key-responsibilities-every-po-should-take" target="_blank">the responsibilities</a> of the project from the client’s side, from allocating budget and monitoring business processes to market expertise, customer testing, and sales. </p>



<h3><strong>Other Stakeholders</strong></h3>



<p>It’s also not uncommon for other stakeholders — often investors — to become clients. There’s usually no total immersion in the project and a lack of tech expertise. Investors also tend to spend a lot of time establishing business tasks and reduce everything to fixed-scope and fixed-cost contracts. However, while set price collaboration may be effective in some situations, it’s the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/why-fixed-price-model-is-not-the-best-option-for-custom-software-development" target="_blank">riskiest way to outsource long projects</a>.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>When you are ready to initiate the first contact with the tech company, you should build the communication based on your own role in the company and the future venture: your market knowledge, understanding of the product and experience in tech projects.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<h2><strong>Approach</strong></h2>



<p>The task may seem simple: you have a product idea, choose from the top IT vendors and discuss the terms and conditions. However, first, you need to specify your business approach as it directly impacts the development process and determines what you expect from the service provider.</p>



<p>There are<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/04/01/the-duality-of-it-startups-why-is-it-two-businesses-in-one/?sh=17d1cd061526" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> two approaches to handling business</a>, and they apply to the development process. In the end, it is the product that underlies the enterprise.</p>



<ul><li><strong><em>You see your development project as an investment.</em></strong></li>
</ul><p>Such projects usually start with <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" target="_blank">developing an MVP</a> — a minimum viable product with basic functionality yet ready for market launch. It’s hypothesis testing on the go. By using real-user feedback, you look for new features and ways to develop your idea into a fully functioning business. However, investing time and resources in these projects is associated with certain risks. Some products just don’t take off.</p>



<ul><li><strong><em>You need the product for launching a fully operational business.</em></strong></li>
</ul><p>In this case, you should already have the results of customer and hypothesis testing, a feasible business model, and a solid understanding of the market you are to conquer. While in the first approach, you can adjust your goals to user feedback, here you need to know your customers’ pains and needs before the project starts. In these cases, the development itself becomes almost a “secondary issue”.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>Choose your tech partner according to their knowledge and expertise in the approach you pick for your business. Some software development companies may have trouble developing full-fledged products from scratch. Others don’t have enough experience with market testing.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<h2><strong>Resources</strong></h2>



<p>Knowing how to select a technology vendor is understanding the multifaceted nature of “resources”. Experienced software development houses provide <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/dedicated-team-the-future-of-software-development" target="_blank">dedicated teams</a> engaged only in your project. In this case, you don’t have to worry about human resources — recruiting, hiring, training, and subcontracting are done by the vendor.</p>



<p>Paradoxically, <strong>money</strong> <strong>is the most insignificant resource</strong> in the software vendor selection process. Clients, of course, have budgets and financial limitations. But with the right approach, money is a secondary parameter. Here’s why.</p>



<p><strong>The most expensive resource in this adventure is market expertise. </strong>And ideally, client company founders and POs should already have it. Otherwise, they will have to spend a lot of other resources (time and money) to gain it through market research and hypothesis testing.</p>



<h2><strong>Partnership</strong></h2>



<p>A custom software development company for startup founders is, first and foremost, a partner. Certainly, you can hire a couple of freelancers from different parts of the world. But will you be sure they have your back?</p>



<p><strong>Effective partnership is based on</strong> <strong>complementation</strong>. You don’t look for a partner to tell you what you already know. It’s one of the biggest misconceptions in the software vendor evaluation process. Often startup founders (unless it’s a tech startup) don’t have the necessary technological expertise. That’s why collaboration with a trustworthy tech company becomes crucial.</p>



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<p>Naturally, be ready for differences in approaches, capabilities, and opinions. It takes time to get used to each other and set up a mutually beneficial process. However, <strong>a high-potential partner demonstrates the tech market expertise already at the first meeting</strong> and complements your company’s ability and resources.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>It’s good to start with a short </em><a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/dedicated-team-the-future-of-software-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>T&amp;M contract</em></a><em> to see how the tech vendor works: transparency, communication, professionalism and focus. Either you pay per hour or project, you need to get value from the work done. A successful short-term contract is a safe and proven way to a long-term partnership. </em></p>
</blockquote>



<h2><strong>Industry Expertise</strong></h2>



<p>Today, a tech vendor for startup digital products must have a relevant portfolio. Fintech solutions and corporate websites, for example, have totally different logic. Developing additional features is not the same as the product’s market launch. And the list of these examples is endless.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>A jack-of-all-trades agency claiming that they can develop any product of any complexity in any industry is rather a red flag. Pay attention to a carefully crafted portfolio and well-structured services page on the tech vendor’s website.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<p>Expertise is not only about frameworks, programming languages, and product types the tech vendor works with but also the quality of all internal processes: communication, development processes, onboarding, training, and much more. Companies having problems communicating and sloppy coding standards often fail to show satisfying results. If the provider doesn’t have clear guidelines for every aspect mentioned above, you risk being left with a mediocre product and poor service.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>At <strong>Rocketech</strong>, we specialize in <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/services" target="_blank">fifteen industry-agnostic domains</a> covering approximately 80% of the market. Instead of working with all possible tech stacks, we carefully chose these twelve domains to base our expertise on and keep perfecting with every project. Besides, we have mastered process building. Following the Scrum best practices, we ensure that every iteration brings value to the client.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h2><strong>Our Approach</strong></h2>



<p>At Rocketech, we establish long-term relationships with our Partners. We always take time to navigate the waters and base all our internal processes on transparency and trust. With our flexible approach, we focus on guiding tech startups throughout the entire journey — from a product idea to MVP and further scaling. </p>



<p>We believe it’s crucial to see how both parties work at the very beginning to minimize misunderstandings and possible pitfalls of future collaboration. We don’t do the minimum to get paid according to the contract but share our business experience and apply our tech expertise to achieve the best results. We succeed with our Partners. If you want to learn more about our approach, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://rocketech.it/contacts" target="_blank">contact us</a> directly.</p>

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<p>For a month, the Rocketech Team has been trying to adjust to the horrifying impact of the unprovoked Russian military invasion of Ukraine. We are grateful for the understanding and support from our clients, partners, and friends.</p>



<p>With a significant part of our Team remaining in Ukraine, our first and foremost priority has been their safety and wellbeing. At the same time, we keep working on all current projects following our standard operating procedure and remaining the reliable partner to all our clients who stand with us for peace.</p>



<h2><strong>Emergency Operations Centre and Employee Support</strong></h2>



<p>From the outset of the crisis, Rocketech developed the emergency response plan to ensure communication and all possible support to our Team members and their families in Ukraine.</p>



<ul><li>We created an internal emergency operations centre to help our Team members trapped close to the front line relocate to Western Ukraine, the Polish border, or Poland. It is a volunteer initiative of our colleagues located in safer areas of Ukraine or residing in other countries.</li>



<li>Our volunteers assist the Team members and their families in relocation, provide food and medical aid, and help colleagues and their relatives who remain in the hot spots.</li>



<li>We search for lost relatives, organise temporary homes for pets, and look for other ways to support our colleagues and their families close to the front line.</li>



<li>Through the internal fund, the company provides financial assistance to those who temporarily cannot work until they can get back to their regular work routines.</li>



<li>With the help of the Team members residing in other countries, we organised a network of people and organisations providing information and help in Poland, Hungary, Iceland, Austria, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, and Turkey.</li>



<li>We organised psychological help with professional counselling free for our Team and 24/7 volunteer support to fight anxiety and emotional distress.</li>
</ul><h2><strong>Business Operations</strong></h2>



<p>Rocketech is withdrawing from the Russian market to end direct or indirect support for the aggressor country’s economy. We have completely stopped cooperation with Russian banks and companies – we no longer transfer money and accept payments.</p>



<p>We have discontinued all marketing and advertising operations targeting the Russian market. Among other things, we have withdrawn from the top-rated companies of the Russian market on Clutch and closed the company’s visibility to users from Russia in search results on the platform.</p>



<h2><strong>Team</strong></h2>



<p>Currently, about forty of our colleagues remain on the territory of Ukraine. We contact each employee regularly to verify their location and safe conditions. From the 28th of February, we strategically reassigned the teams dedicated to all our projects to ensure that we fulfil all our contract obligations.</p>



<p>We had to adjust our recruiting strategy. Rocketech no longer considers applicants from Russia and Belarus as we do not support these countries’ economies. We, however, stand against any human discrimination and are willing to onboard new talents who make a decision to relocate to countries that do not support the war in Ukraine.</p>



<p>We value all our current employees, appreciate their professionalism and experience, and want to continue cooperation. In these complicated circumstances, we establish a dialogue with each employee from Russia and Belarus and discuss their personal and family situations to find solutions to keep them as our Team members.</p>



<h2><strong>Concluding Statements</strong></h2>



<p>We are shocked and deeply affected by the human tragedy of some of the darkest days in European history and condemn the military actions launched by the Russian armed forces in Ukraine. We are witnessing unprecedented and tragic events that will forever reshape the world.</p>



<p>In this new reality, we find it crucial to be united by the common principles and the company’s core values. At Rocketech, we are proud of our international and multi-language Team based on mutual respect, support, and trust. Having said that, we decry any bullying of Russian citizens who do not support their government’s actions. We stand against any act of aggression and discrimination on the ground of nationality.<br></p>

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