iOS and Android App Lifecycle Explained
Software development follows a pre-determined process to deliver projects within a client’s required time frame, budget, and technical specifications. Zco is no exception to the rule. We follow an extensive mobile app development roadmap to help us craft high-quality software solutions for our clients. This article will walk you through the iOS and Android app lifecycle process, starting with the app’s concept and ending with the final quality assurance checks before the product launches.
Project Planning
The process starts with analyzing the client’s project requirements, confirming the desired device platforms, and incorporating critical features into the app. Project managers conduct a detailed study of the project and submit a project overview document to the client for approval. After verifying the project overview document, the client establishes the specifications they want to be integrated into the app.
Once the document is verified, an estimate is presented to the client, who fine-tunes the plan to suit their budget and timeframe. Project plans are then prepared based on the approved estimate. Typical project plans layout the tasks in different milestones, resource names, duration, and the start date and end date of each task. At the same time, our business analysts carry out a detailed analysis. After knowing how many people and what other assets we need the BA’s prepare the User Requirements Document (URD) and screen designs with the app’s functionalities. With the client’s final approval, the project transitions into the design phase.
Design
An app’s design is the look and feel of the product and how users engage with it. Before starting the project design, we conduct team meetings to discuss the URD and other documents received from the client. It helps the team to get an idea of the client’s expectations.
We execute the project design in two phases: UI/UX design and class design. UI designers prepare a prototype of the user flow or wireframes by combining concepts of the core screens. The initial class design is carried out by the respective project leads, and the team then reviews it. The development phase begins once the UI/UX design and class design are complete.
Development
The development phase is implementing the project’s plans into action. Developers take the project’s requirements and write the necessary code for the required features. All the app’s screens will be ready at this stage, and the functionalities will be developed and integrated into it. The coding process will start based on the class design and is broken down into milestones.
At Zco, we follow agile development and waterfall development methodologies for creating apps. This involves developing the functionalities through iterative releases. These releases are then discussed with the client. This helps us to achieve a more refined product and an efficient project workflow by enabling us to divide resources and meet project deadlines on time.
Development proceeds alongside product testing, code reviews, and quality assurance so that any errors or bugs in the program are caught early and rectified at each milestone. Client feedback and suggestions will be clarified and integrated into the app in each phase before moving on to the next milestone. This iterative process will continue until the release of the app.
Testing
Engineers prepare test plans and test cases early in the process, at the project design phase. We use a rigorous testing structure that includes usability testing, interface testing, compatibility testing, performance testing, and security testing. The application’s features, functionalities, and user experience flow are tested in each phase, helping us to maintain app quality.
Bugs are logged using an issue tracker database. Re-testing is done to check previously addressed issues. Developer testing is also conducted based on the test cases, and problems that arise from testing in various phases of reviews will be solved through debugging. This helps us to avoid product imperfections and ensure the performance of the application under different conditions. After testing the app, it is reviewed to ensure the app complies with the client’s requirements and expectations.
Launch
Once the app is tested and gets approval from the client, it is uploaded to its respective iOS and or Android app store. Pre-release checklists are executed before the app’s launch to ensure quality assurance procedures. This includes source code reviews, memory leak testing, security testing, and performance analysis. Test engineers prepare release notes by including information such as core features, installation instructions, bug reporting capabilities, and required credentials. This process helps inform clients about the app’s finalized features upon release.
When it comes to launching the app online, clients receive a pre-formatted app submission document. The upload engineer will provide the client’s information to the respective app store’s listing application page and then submit it for review. Finally, the app will be released to the public once it receives final approval from the app store’s administrators.
While all projects will follow their development road maps as dictated by their specifications, all of them will adhere to the process outlined in this document. To learn about our mobile app development services and how you can develop your custom Android or iOS mobile app through this app life cycle process, use the button below to contact one of our account executives.
