We recently interviewed Lize Monametsi, CEO of Polymorph, and Heinrich Venter, CTO of Polymorph, who shared their view on custom software development. They offered actionable insights on how to make sure that you build great software that will maximise your return on investment (ROI). It was a very informative discussion, and we are excited to share more on this topic in the coming weeks.
One key takeaway from the interview was the three-legged stool analogy: a balancing exercise required to build successful software. Focusing too much on any one leg means things will get shaky really fast. Making sure that you have these three properly balanced legs will give you a solid foundation to build your custom software.
1. Build software with the user in mind
The most important aspect of custom software development is understanding the users’ needs. After all, what good is a piece of software if it doesn’t solve a real problem? That’s why the best software developers always keep the user in mind, ensuring that every feature is designed with their needs in mind. By building software with the user in mind, developers can create products that are useful and easy to use. And that’s a win for everyone involved.
2. Understanding the business side of the software
Because you are investing significant capital into developing custom software, you need to stop for a minute and think about what your business needs from the software and what ROI you expect. By understanding these things, you’ll be better able to develop software that meets the needs of the client and is economically viable.
3. Technology
Using the appropriate technologies can help you overcome complex challenges and build revolutionary software solutions. That, however, means that the piece of software or technology needs to become central to your business. Considering all three legs of the stool, you need to embed the technology into your business, how you conduct business, and where you engage with your customers and end users. And then, of course, the technical side of it needs to work. It doesn’t help if the software isn’t feasible at a cost level – that would be like having a stool with three legs, but one shorter than the other.
Put simply, you shouldn’t prioritise the technical aspects over everything else. The result is that you’ll build a robust piece of software that nothing can break down, but that doesn’t make business sense or deliver a solution that your users want. You must balance all three legs – the people (customers and users), the business, and the technology.
“The important thing to remember is that you need all the components of a good software system, and you must consider the different angles – the three-legged stool. It considers what your business needs from the software and what ROI you expect. It doesn’t help if you only focus on the business, but it doesn’t help your customers, other businesses or your employees. It needs to take care of your users or those using your software. Ultimately, it’s about aligning all three of these: technology, business and users”, says
CEO of Polymorph
Is the investment in custom software worth it?
Genuinely appreciating the value of custom software development can be difficult. When you buy a new car, you get instant satisfaction – the new car smell, shiny paint, comfortable seats … it instinctively tells you this is something of value. But while a car’s value depreciates almost immediately, custom software is an investment that will yield returns for years to come.
“Custom software development solves problems by actually looking at the real and not the perceived problem. It then delivers what you need to address and solve that problem. The thing that emerges out of that process is not something that you can buy off the shelf. Think of it as a tailored suit versus a suit that you buy in a retail store. The one is nice and will probably do, but the other one is better because it was fitted to you specifically and gives you what you actually need”, explains
CTO of Polymorph
Custom software development can be a major asset for businesses of all sizes – but only if it’s approached in the right way. Using the three-legged stool approach to custom software development will definitely sit well with any client and see their ROI grow while getting the most out of their new software.
