What are the APP development processes?

According to the nature of the work, I first divide App development into three stages: pre-sales, in-sales, and after-sales. Each stage includes multiple steps, step by step, and finally completes the development of the project.

1. Pre-sales

1. Demand communication

When we propose project requirements to customers, our product managers will work with pre-sales consultants to discuss with customers Communicate. Some customers usually only have a general idea about their needs. At this time, our professional product managers need to help them sort out the specific requirements and function lists of the project, and help the customer analyze what has not been considered or can be achieved. need.

2. Project feasibility analysis

Both the customer and the product manager need to have a clear understanding of the project’s functional features, user pain points, industry needs and service content provided to users. Detailed investigation and analysis must be done at all times, especially the customer pain points. If the developed App has many pain points, even if it is successfully developed, it will not survive for long. Because the ultimate success of any App is based on its user base.

3. Functional process sorting

(1) Organizing the architecture

The process of sorting out the architecture is like building a house and laying the foundation. The product manager will sort out the overall functions of the product Structure, sort out the core content, and create the foundation of the product to ensure that customers can make adjustments on this original basis in the future, making it more convenient and scalable.

(2) Function list

Next, the product manager will make a more detailed function list, adding details and specific functions of each module, such as which to use for "registration" registration method, SMS verification code or third-party registration, etc. This part is like when you are renovating a rough house, you must first consider adding doors, windows, water and electricity renovation, etc.

(3) Sorting out the process

The product manager will sort out the core business of the product based on customer needs, and will help customers consider in advance whether their existing processes can be carried out on the Internet. For example, for some corporate customers from traditional industries who have switched to the Internet, product managers will help customers sort out and optimize the process from a professional perspective on mobile Internet.

4. Tailor-made implementation plan

After the requirements document is confirmed, the pre-sales consultant will tailor an App development plan and quotation list according to the customer's needs, including the project team After the customer has confirmed the personnel arrangements, time node arrangements and technical solutions, formal contract signing and cooperation can begin.

2. On sale

1. Product design

(1) Prototype design and review

Xiwang product manager will work according to the requirements document Design a high-fidelity prototype, including the structural layout of functions, the design of each sub-page, and the design of interface interaction logic, etc. High-fidelity prototypes convert requirements documents into a more intuitive software demo version, so that more details can be confirmed, ensuring the effectiveness of project development, and avoiding disputes caused by poor or inadequate communication.

(2) UI design and review

After the prototype design is confirmed, the UI designer will design the UI interface renderings based on the product’s positioning and prototype, which is equivalent to the prototype. On the basis of the picture, add color, determine the overall style of the product, visualize the functions, interactive design and layout, etc., so that customers can see the prototype of the App more intuitively. It has a high degree of restoration and can bring more benefits to users. High level of experience. A complete App requires an idea that attracts users' attention, which requires product managers and UI designers to have unique insights in creative planning.

(3) Detailed explanation of requirements

The product manager will connect the requirements and prototype UI diagrams with the project manager, and explain the customer’s detailed requirements, functional sections, jump pages, etc., to the project manager Requirements need to be refined and these requirements and pictures translated into a language that engineers can better understand. Then, the project team will hold a technical meeting with the prototype UI diagram to explain the project requirements in a unified manner.

(4) Technical standard formulation

After understanding the needs of the entire project, the project manager provides an easily scalable and sustainable iteration technical framework solution, such as native development or hybrid development, Use Java or PHP, and third-party selection.

2. Agile development

(1) Iterative development plan

Before officially entering project development, the project team will evaluate the project itself and evaluate the development cycle. , test promotion time, and pre-release time point to make preliminary judgments. Then decompose the project functions and divide the project requirements into 4-5 nodes. For example, No. 1-9 will be the first functional module, and No. 10-15 will be the second functional module. The project team will send the iterative development plan to After the customer confirmed it, we started to do node research and development according to this plan.

(2) Node R&D

According to the functional data processing situation compiled by demand analysis, the project team will establish a reasonable database table structure, optimize data algorithms, and improve data processing efficiency. Ensure the security, accuracy, stability and timeliness of data during later use of the App.

A complete App project generally includes the following modules:

① Server side: writing interface protocol documents and setting up the server environment (Alibaba Cloud servers are generally used in China, and Alibaba Cloud servers are generally used abroad. (using Amazon), designing databases and writing API interfaces, implementing business functions and interface encapsulation, and developing management background.

②App side: Develop the interface based on the UI design drawing. After the UI development is completed, connect to the server interface, obtain data through the server interface, and write functional logic code.

③Web management end: According to the front-end business logic, the backend will have corresponding functions to match it, and it is also necessary to write functional logic code.

During the project research and development stage, the project manager conducts technical research, and the process assistant tracks the progress at the same time. The project team will also report the development progress to the customer every week and assist the customer in applying for software licenses.

(3) Unit testing

The previous development process was for engineers to write it from beginning to end, and then conduct system testing after all the App functions were developed. In this way, the following problems could easily occur: Problem: Modifying one bug causes a new bug in another place, expanding new functions while causing bugs in the old code, etc. At this time, unit testing needs to be introduced.

To put it simply, unit testing means that engineers do research and development on a node, and test engineers test a node, so that they can clearly know whether the old business logic has been destroyed, and it is easy to eliminate some very low-level errors, which greatly Reduce the possibility of regression errors and debugging time, and improve code quality.

(4) System testing

After the App function development is completed, testers will conduct systematic testing of the entire project. The most important part of completing project testing and debugging is problem management, tracking the progress and status of each bug, including who is assigned to it, priority, repair status, etc., in order to complete problem processing with quality.

Synchronous testing of multiple models of product-oriented platforms, including: App content testing, App performance testing, App functional testing, App visual testing, and BUG debugging and repair. After passing the test and confirming that there are no bugs, we will communicate with the customer and start acceptance. The customer will then conduct testing and propose modifications.

3. Online delivery

01. User experience test

Xiwang established a new "innovative talent position" in 2018 - User Experience Officer , which is the first "from functional trial and error service to operational practice service" in the mobile Internet industry.

The job of the user experience officer is to conduct user experience testing, conduct experiential testing from multiple dimensions such as user experience, product, ease of use, appearance, App design restoration, etc., and upload real preliminary results through the background Seed data makes the entire App rich in content and highly interactive. User experience testing is to help customers create the tone of the entire App based on the user group and operational logic of the project itself.

02. Deployment and online deployment

After the code development and testing is completed, it enters the later stage of online deployment.

(1) Deploy the formal server: Deploy the database and back-end system to the formal server, and enter the formal online data into the app system background.

(2) Prepare relevant information for listing: such as software copyright, application description, App interface screenshots and packaged version, etc.

(3) Publish the App to the market: Choose to publish the iOS or Android app market according to the App port.

① Android: There are many application markets involved. The mainstream markets are Tencent App Store, Baidu Mobile Assistant, 360 Mobile Assistant, and 91 Mobile Assistant. The audience attributes and traffic of different application markets will be different, and it needs to be based on Choose according to customer needs and actual project conditions. Generally speaking, it takes 1-2 working days to pass the review and go online.

②iOS: Publish to the AppStore. After submission, it usually takes about 5 working days at the fastest before it can be reviewed and put on the shelves. Because the AppStore review is relatively strict, many issues such as whether it meets the latest listing requirements, whether virtual currency is involved, whether it supports the latest environment, etc. will determine whether the review can be passed.

But you may encounter this situation: For example, an App has three problems that cause it to fail. As long as the AppStore finds one of the problems, it will not pass, and it will not find out all three problems and tell you. Why did you refuse? So if you don’t have enough experience, it is very possible that it will take several months to put it on the shelves N times.

③ Publish the mini program to the WeChat public account: The mini program needs to be submitted to the WeChat team for review and put on the shelves. It usually takes 1-2 working days to pass the review and go online.

03. Source code delivery

After the APP development and testing is launched, final delivery must be carried out, that is, in accordance with the contract, all project-related materials such as source code, documentation, and operation documents will be delivered. to customers.

Including but not limited to:

1All the latest source code (including comments) of the front-end and back-end projects

2Database design documents

3API design documents

4All developer account information

5Test documents

6Prototype design draft

7UI design draft

8 Project-related documents and other materials

04. Project operation training

When delivering the source code, Xiwang’s project manager will provide customers with instructions on all functional operations of the project Training, such as how to issue coupons, how to review drivers, how to check user registration, etc. We will also ask brand designers and new media operations officers to design online posters and new media operation plans for customers based on their needs.

3. After-sales

1. Preliminary maintenance

General Apps need to be maintained after they are developed. Even if they have reached a relatively stable stage, they may As the mobile phone system is upgraded or used for a long time, some minor problems or deeply hidden bugs may appear.

Xiwanghui gives customers a three-month maintenance period for free. When a project is officially launched for about 3 months, the overall operating model and some functional deficiencies are already clear, and I want to continue Operating an app requires iterative development and optimization of functional modules.

During this period, we will answer customer questions, guide the use of software and upload content, repair program bugs, and perform emergency repairs after emergencies.

2. Customized updates

After the App is put on the market, it will get some feedback from users and the market itself, so as to know how to correct or adjust the operating strategy. When the current system functions When the project needs cannot be met, it is necessary to plan the iteration of the new version of the function, that is, the development project 2.0.

Xiwang will help customers carry out customized updates, that is, continue the "pre-sales" work done in the early stage of App development: demand communication, feasibility analysis, functional process sorting and tailor-made implementation plans.

This iteration plan is generally formulated based on the following two points:

①Uncompleted BUGs

For example, some BUGs discovered during the operation process of the App after it is launched, Or there are some logical errors. If we want to fix these logical errors and functional bugs, we must iterate the App.

②App data analysis

Data is an extremely important measurement standard. By analyzing the App’s investment resources, user activation rate, conversion rate, retention rate and the proportion of users entering and using different functions , the loss of each link, looking for indicators that have a greater impact on the App experience, and analyzing the pros and cons of self-examination functional design in order to carry out functional version iterations.

3. Iterative development

Similarly, when a project undergoes iterative development, it will also go through the entire process of "on sale", including product design, agile development, and online delivery. All product life cycles.

4. Project maintenance return visit

After the project has been operating for a period of time (the free maintenance period is over), Xiwang will pay a return visit to the customer to inquire about the operation status, etc. Of course, if subsequent customers require us to continue to provide operation and maintenance support, we will be very happy, because in the process of operating the App, it needs to keep pace with the times and maintain and update it, so that the App can last forever.

5. New media operation

After successful launch, the App can develop the number of users through corporate operation and promotion, and operate for a long time. There are many ways to promote operations, such as offline promotion, advertising, new media operation and promotion, etc.

Based on nine years of experience in the industry and current market conditions, Intimate Xiwang will recommend clients to engage in relatively low-cost new media operations and promotions.

From the above App development process, each project research and development must go through the above 3 stages and 22 links. This is actually a complete assembly line, which can often achieve a higher level of project quality. . But how do you ensure the process runs smoothly? How to maximize the work efficiency of project members? This will test the professionalism of the development company and the planning ability of the project members.

As mentioned before, the time it takes to develop an App will also affect the price of App development. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the standard development process of the App.