♪♫ This is How We Do It ♪♫

Whether you are a tech savvy business leader who eagerly anticipates finding the newest hit on SoundCloud or are a more traditional leader who prefers a harmonic acoustic session around the bonfire, seeking a company to help turn your “great idea” into software that sings can feel like a daunting task.

Often, leaders focus on what the solution will do for their business, without concern for how its going to be built. They can see the full album complete with digital downloads and liner notes from the newly minted vinyl edition but not the sheet music or instruments needed to compose each song.

We get it, software, much like music, has its own lingo, its own rhythm, its own unique instrumentation. Additionally, software can be created using one of the many different methodologies available. Understanding the basics of the type of music a vendor is playing is like having a program handed to you as you enter a concert hall.

This week we will introduce you to (or refresh your knowledge on) the sheet music of software; Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and how to ensure you are getting a Grammy worthy piece of software for your budget dollars.

Classical, Jazz or Jazz Fusion?

Before we get carried away with our musical references, let’s look at the basics of SDLC and why it matters. Regardless of which model is best suited for your project, they all carry similar base definitions: “frameworks for how software gets planned, built, tested, and delivered.” Just like music, the integrity of the product is dependant on choosing the correct methodology to get the job done; you would never hire a mariachi band to play at the Opera.

If you’ve already started talking with vendors, you may have heard terms like Waterfall, Agile, and Hybrid. While these might sound like buzzwords, they have real implications for your project’s budget, timeline, and ultimate success. Getting back to music analogies lets review three of the most common SDLC methodologies:

Classical – Waterfall:

Waterfall is Beethoven’s Symphony 5, predictable, structured and a bit inflexible. You know where it is going right from the first note played. It’s a sequential approach going from an idea to a finished product in singular step-by-step path. If business needs change mid-project (and they usually do), adjusting can be costly and time-consuming. This kind of development works well for projects in large organizations where process is king, and flexibility can be had with sufficient paperwork and review.

Jazz – Agile:

Agile takes the opposite approach, it’s flexible, collaborative, and iterative, but often hard to predict, and it keeps you on your toes. Instead of trying to define everything at the beginning, work is segmented into short cycles called “sprints.” After each sprint, you see working software and can adjust priorities. While Agile encourages flexibility, it often makes executives nervous because budgets and timelines are harder to pin down. Agile, much like Jazz, can feel chaotic if you are not prepared for the constant shifts in rhythm and harmony. Agile is best suited for projects that require collaboration between development teams and product teams, they also require diligent Project Managers.

Jazz Fusion – Hybrid:

The Hybrid methodology is the best of both Jazz and Classical, it’s Jazz Fusion. You benefit from the predictable structure of Waterfall as well as Agile’s iterative harmony with delivery. Hybrid projects begin with a longer Discovery phase than Agile, where requirements, workflows, risks, and success criteria are mapped out. Once the vision is clear, development proceeds in shorter Agile-style cycles, allowing you to adapt while staying anchored to a plan. Projects best suited for hybrid are projects where technical literacy is not as strong on the idea side of the score.

Getting To Know Your Producer

Finding the right producer or in this case choosing the right company to build your custom software should be a process that takes time. When you’re paying for software, it can feel frustrating to spend weeks — or even months — on requirement gathering before a single line of code is written. Many business leaders rush to choose the cheapest option, without seeking to understand the unique strengths of each provider. The right producer will take their time to get to know you and your goals during the Discovery phase. Discovery is the most cost-effective insurance policy you’ll ever buy. At STEP we often dive into discovery before contracts are signed, because after 20 years in business we know the more we strive to understand our clients’ goals and product aspirations the more likely we are to produce an outstanding piece of software.

Here’s why producers who opt for Hybrid make a real difference:

• Building Trust: Long discovery phases offer you opportunity to see that the vendor understands your workflows before coding begins. They have taken the time to learn the story you want to tell with your album, and the experience you want to give to your listeners.
• Delivering Early Wins: Agile-like iterations mean you see working software demos sooner, not just a finished product months later like with Waterfall projects. Think of these as sound bites or prelaunch singles.
• Protecting Your Investment: A structured plan reduces the chance of wasted budget or failed delivery and allows for a phased approach where needed.
• Fewer Change Requests (CR): Every hour spent clarifying requirements at the beginning prevents hours of costly rework later. The more thorough the understanding of the requirements the more detailed the Statement of Work (SOW) and more accurate the project plan. Think of this as studying the sheet music before starting rehearsals.
• Reduced Scope Creep: A well-defined plan keeps “nice-to-have” ideas from sneaking in and derailing the timeline. Clear definition also allows for structuring the project into logical phases to ensure the best user experience.
• Realistic Budgets: Discovery helps vendors estimate more accurately. When projects are defined with a budget first approach, a long and detailed discovery phase offers clarity on what can be realistically offered in each phase. Not every band needs a 1959 Gibson Les Paul when a Fender Stratocaster will do.
• Alignment: If your goal is a hit single then don’t shift gears and try and put out a full double album. Everyone – executives, end-users, and developers need to be on the same page about what “success” looks like. Ask yourself “What is our Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?” discuss it openly and stick to it .

Industry research backs this up. According to ITRG, up to 78% of digital transformation projects fail due to poor requirements gathering. By contrast, projects with detailed upfront planning are far more likely to be delivered on time and on budget.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony: Go Slow to Go Fast

Like a Symphony Orchestra playing Beethoven’s Ninth, the music starts slow and builds gradually. Clocking in at over an hour with four unique movements, including vocals, the build up at the beginning sets the tone and pace for the entire symphony. Although the final movement is the longest in time, it is the fastest in tempo, similar to the final 90% we discussed last week.

Investing upfront in Discovery may feel like it’s slowing progress, but it saves money in the long run. Forgive us while we replay our previous tracks, but these points are really the chart-topping reasons to pick up a Fusion album:

• Decreasing CRs: Every change mid-project costs exponentially more than if it had been addressed earlier. It is like recording an album acapella and then deciding part way through that you want it to have a string ensemble on A side songs and piano on B side songs.
• Preventing Scope Creep: Early clarity locks in what is essential and what can wait for future phases. Focusing on one album at a time allows you to have a better discography overall.
• Protecting Timelines: Instead of repeatedly pushing deadlines, a long discovery phase helps keep development on track. When paired with iterative delivery it allows for smooth transitions from stage to stage.
• Budget Song and Dance: Like music, software can have additional financial considerations beyond the project budget. There could be potential new revenue opportunities, collaborations with other artists or digital downloads. With an extensive and detailed discovery phase these opportunities can be discussed, advice or recommendations can be provided and they can be built into the detailed SOW and project plan.

The Conclusion – One Final Note ♪

As a business leader, you’re not expected to become an expert in SDLC models, just like we would never expect you to know every song in Led Zepplin’s discography (although if you do, we should talk – that’s super cool). What matters most is your understanding of how the process affects your budget and project risk.

Remember this:

• Waterfall may feel safe but risks rigidity.
• Agile delivers flexibility but often lacks budget predictability.
• Hybrid, especially with a long and meticulous Discovery phase, offers the best balance: clarity, adaptability, and financial discipline.

So, when your vendor recommends a fresh new Fusion album instead of a balcony seat to a 75-minute performance of the New York Philharmonic, see it as an effective way to save money, prevent frustration, and ensure your software investment pays off.

Because in software – just like music – sometimes to go fast you need to start slow.