In our last blog, we dove into the software factory and how developers can use this approach to get the best of both worlds – speed and quality. Now, we’re taking a step back to look at the software factory more broadly to identify its key aspects and how they work together.

The software factory – again, not a physical factory – sets up a repeatable method of developing software. Traditionally, Agile Development methodologies require considerable amounts of customization to properly integrate into organizations’ workflows. The software factory cuts down on the level of customization needed by leaning on automation.

This is accomplished by setting-up a systematic approach to the software development by aligning a well-organized team with automation tools and strategic processes.

Developers are then able to set up a streamlined process to write and test code and, ultimately, deploy the product with greater efficiency.

Element 1: The People

Before getting into the technical aspects of the software factory, it’s important for organizations to ensure that the team members are in the roles that best fit their skills. From hiring practices to scaling based on project needs and more, it’s crucial that software companies position themselves for success by having the right people in the right places.

There’s no shortage of companies looking to bring in high-caliber talent, but bringing in outside software talent can be difficult in a competitive market and simultaneously have those new hires match and support the corporate culture. Organizations can instead train and develop internal talent by using the Software Ladder and the dDveloper Ladder; practices used by Apple, Microsoft and other tech giants to develop software skills in-house.

The Software Ladder identifies career paths for both coders and managers, providing a defined plan for career progression. This helps organizations define crucial software positions and gaps. The Developer Ladder – a practice that works within the software ladder – sets a baseline for developers’ skillsets to create a map of existing talent. Developers can then complete various training modules to move up the proverbial ladder.

Whether a company is helping its existing talent to develop new skills or hiring externally, software organizations should place a priority on hiring a small number of high-caliber developers instead of hiring a large staff of moderately talented developers. Research has shown that small teams, consisting of three to seven individuals, demonstrate optimal performance and productivity – so less is more.

 Element 2: The Tools

Automation tools commonly used in the software factory allow users to develop software on a continuous basis, as opposed to more traditional approaches where software teams worked against a single, final deadline for development, testing and implementation. This key difference plays a large part in enabling more efficient, higher quality software development.

With the right toolchain, tailored to an organization’s unique processes and needs, developers can automate various aspects of the software factory such as requirements management, source code management and software testing. With consistent tool usage across teams, developers can more effectively give and receive feedback, identify bugs and make fixes as the project evolves, rather than at the last minute.

Envorso has rich experience curating toolchains with premier solutions like Jira, GitHub, Jama, etc.. These toolchains help organizations adopt scaled, agile frameworks to ensure that quality and efficiency are not lost along the way, regardless of the project. In fact, organizations who adopt comprehensive toolchains often see an increase in quality. One automaker who worked with Envorso was able to improve its software quality five-fold after putting a comprehensive toolchain in place.

 Element 3: The Processes

A key benefit of the software factory approach is the ability to scale alongside project requirements. This is possible through processes that ensure the organization is performing optimally, streamlining wherever possible and prepared to scale.

When it’s done well, the software factory helps companies identify opportunities to add efficiency into workflows by following repeatable processes. But, to realize these benefits, organizations must closely monitor the performance of its systems and processes. In other words, organizations should be self-auditing on a regular basis to make sure opportunities for increased efficiency aren’t going unnoticed. Envorso has deep experience with both auditing other organizations’ processes and providing them with the tools and resources to duplicate this effort on their own.

By aligning these three elements – people, tools and processes – under a common purpose, developers can revolutionize their approach to building high-quality software.

Contact Envorso today to learn how we can help you begin your software factory journey.