Building good software starts with peeling the business

In the world of software development, there are countless tools, languages, and methodologies to choose from to build applications. Whatever you choose from this huge toolbox, there is one essential step that is often overlooked. Every successful software project starts with “peeling the business”. In this blog, Frank Grooten, partner at Quatronic, takes you through this important phase of software development.

The importance of understanding

As software developers, we are not only there to build what is asked, Wouter wrote about this earlier a blog. We develop applications that help organizations achieve their strategy. When we come to a client, people often know that there is room for improvements, but the challenge is how to achieve that. For us, an important starting point in the process is therefore our design-thinking workshop.

Fast deep dive

Such a workshop helps us understand exactly what the problem is and what the associated solution is in just a few days. This is how we develop a deep understanding of how the company operates, what the core needs are and how they translate into specific goals for the organization or department we work with. Only after we have thoroughly analyzed and “peeled it off” can we become a valuable partner and really become part of the organization.

Purpose and means

So it starts with understanding the organizational strategy, how it translates to the strategy of a specific department, and identifying key stakeholders. We need to understand the whole playing field. Next, we dive into the process: how is the current process going? Where are the opportunities for improvement? What is not working properly? What, though? What are the objectives and is it clear whether they are actually being achieved? What we regularly see is that people confuse the end and the means. A logistical tool itself is not a goal; it's about what you want to achieve with that tool. There is often no clear formulation of what exactly needs to be achieved and how this should be done. We create a holistic image and ensure that nothing is overlooked.

From questions to thinking along

This is why we've been using our “peel off” approach for years. We train all our employees how to get a complete picture of an organization as efficiently as possible. We want to understand all facets of a business, including the different terms that come up in conversations. For example, when someone talks about the order process, we go deeper into the details. Which business objects are involved? How do these objects relate to each other within the process? Only when we have a full understanding of how an organization functions and how it wants to operate in the future will we get to work. As a result, we can not only help develop solutions, but we can also make valuable contributions ourselves, instead of just asking questions.

Common compass for success

One of the side effects of this method is that it brings different people in an organization closer together. The process ensures that teams speak the same language and develop a broader understanding of the challenges and solutions. It's like creating a shared compass for the road to success.

Curious?

Are you curious about what our ambitious, thoughtful and critical consultants can do for your company? Or do you want to be ready to become such an all-round professional yourself. Please contact Frank Grooten via mail or give him a call on 06 48 28 46 70 and we'd love to talk to you to find out how we can help improve your business.

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