We can divide the modern
application development process into 3 primary phases namely the development,
testing, and the production phase. While creating the plan for handling these 3
phases, the developers have to consider several parameters to ensure a smooth
execution of the application development life cycle. It is also important to
incorporate the expenses related to modern testing processes like cross-browser testing,
regression testing, and performance testing. Modern app developers should also
account for the inclusion of various unforeseen circumstances that can arise
during the test execution process.
With this article, we are going to
understand the most effective process of estimating the resources for a
full-stack development process. We will also understand some of the most
important practices and tips that the developers must consider during the execution
of this process.
Understanding
the Meaning Of Full Stack Development
The term full-stack development
refers to the process of working on both the front end and back elements of a
modern web application or software product. So, we can say that a full-stack
developer is efficient in handling all aspects of the development process.
These mainly include designing the user interfaces, implementing client set
logic, managing server-side logic, server configurations, and databases.
A modern full-stack developer must
have a broad understanding and proficiency in both the front-end and back-end
elements of a modern application. They should also be able to work on all the
layers of the application and handle tasks ranging from database designing to
front-end layout implementation.
The process of full stack
development has multiple advantages which include the ability to work on the
entire project, understanding different component interactions, streamlining
the communication within developing teams, and providing comprehensive solutions
for all the bugs and errors that might be present in the core infrastructure of
the application. However, the testers must also remember that the process of
mastering both front and back-end technologies requires continuous learning and
keeping up with all the evolving technologies in the software landscape.
The
Primary Components of Full-Stack Development
Before projecting the resources
for full-stack development, we must have a clear idea about the two main
components of this process:
1.
Frontend Development
The front-end development of a
modern application deals with creating the visual and interactive elements of
the website or app. These elements are directly responsible for interacting
with the users of the app. While creating front-end elements, the developers
have to use various languages like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. They also have to
integrate different libraries and frameworks including Angular, React, or
Vue.js. By integrating all these parameters the application developers can
create a responsive, intuitive, and visually appealing user interface.
Moreover, while creating the
front-end elements of a modern application, the developers must ensure that the
elements maintain their position and functionality irrespective of the software
and hardware configurations of a device.
2.
Backend Development
The back end of an application
deals with the server-side part of the app that manages all the crucial data
performance, and computations, and interacts with the database. The backend
developers must use complex programming languages like Java, Ruby, Python, or
JavaScript. They also have to integrate various dedicated frameworks like
Express.JS, flask, or Django. This integration will allow the developers to
create APIs, manage databases, and handle requests. The primary motive of this
entire process is to ensure the smooth running of the application.
Finally, we can also say that the
diversity of the modern device market has massively contributed to the
inclusion of multiple revolutionary trends in full-stack development. For
instance, the developers have to now work on cross-platform or hybrid applications
that can not only perform efficiently on the desktop platform but also mobile
devices as well. Moreover, the diversity in the modern device market also
boosts the importance of the testing logic during full-stack development.
Resource
Projection in Full-Stack Development Initiatives
Since full-stack development
consists of multiple stages, the developers must be able to efficiently project
the resources required for this process. The process of estimating resources
for full-stack development involves multiple steps that need to be performed
accurately and feasibly. To simplify this knowledge for the new testers, we
have mentioned some of the most effective strategies for this process:
1.
Defining the Project Scope
The first step in the estimation
process is to understand the objectives, features, functionalities, and
expected outcomes for the application development project. This knowledge will
help them to break down all the above requirements into smaller tasks or user
stories for ease of estimation and the development process that will follow
soon after. In this step, we would suggest the app-developing components
incorporate all the members of the company including the business and
production teams.
2.
Identifying the technologies
The next step in determining the
resources is to identify and determine the technologies that will be used for
developing both the front-end and back-end elements present in the application.
In this process, the application testers have to consider the databases,
frameworks, and programming languages that will be used by the app developers.
It is a crucial part of the estimation process as the developers have to
consider licensing fees and other expenses related to multiple tools and
platforms.
3.
Breakdown of Task
For the new developers and
testers, we would advise breaking down the entire testing process into smaller
modules or tasks. This breakdown process will help them to estimate the efforts
and resources for each component present in the application. This process
becomes even more useful when app developers are working on complex development
projects that consist of thousands of different elements. However, it is also
important to emphasize the importance of verifying the performance of the
combined infrastructure when all the elements will be working simultaneously.
4.
Creating Buffer for Contingencies
To ensure the accuracy of the
estimation process, the application developers have to factor in the
contingencies and unexpected issues that might arise during the development
process. Some of the most common unforeseen errors that can arise include false
positives and false negatives in the final test reports. So, the developers
must keep some buffer time and resources for these parameters so that they can
comply with the company standards and ensure timely delivery of the software.
5.
Implementation of Estimation Techniques
To simplify the process of
estimating the resources for a full stack development, the developers can
deploy advanced estimation techniques like the following:
●
Analogous Estimation:
This process uses historical data from similar development projects to estimate
the resources required for completing the development and testing process.
●
Expert Judgement:
While deploying this estimation process, the developers will rely on the
experience of an expert developer or project manager. The data collected from
these people will provide crucial insights into the expenses required for the
development process.
●
Three-Point Estimation:
This estimation technique deploys optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely
scenarios to estimate the time and resources required for the development
completion process. This process would also use the data from the expense
sheets of previously developed apps with similar architecture.
●
Bottom-up Estimation:
This process is considered to be one of the easiest ways of estimating the
resources for a full-stack development process. In this step, the application
developers have to divide the entire development process into smaller segments
and individually estimate the resources for each of them. However, the app
developers must remember that it is a time-consuming process as it separately
estimates all the tests in the application testing phase.
6.
Estimating the Time
The testers must forecast the time
required for each task based on its complexity, prior experience, and
dependency on the application architecture. This forecasting process will help
in estimating the number of hours or days needed to complete the development
and testing process. Based on this time, it is also important for the testers
to carefully allocate the resources for every testing instance in the testing
cycle. We advise the developers to create a detailed test plan before beginning
the app development life cycle. This plan will also help to avoid any unwanted
surprises during the app development and testing process.
7.
Use of Tools and Project Management Software
The use of modern tools and
platforms will massively help in estimating the resources for full-stack
development. For instance, using modern cloud platforms, the developers can
remove the expenses of a physical device lab. Using these platforms, it is possible
to execute the test cases through remote servers. These servers can be accessed
from anywhere and also store outdated devices and software.
Using the test activity logs of
modern platforms like LambdaTest, the developers can keep track of all the
expenses related to the app development life cycle. Some of the other benefits
of these platforms include comprehensive test reports and native work trackers.
Tools like Trello, Jira, or Asana also help to estimate the resources by
breaking down the tasks and tracking the progress of the current project. These
platforms also allow the developers to improve the efficiency of the test cases
with the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and modern
automation testing practices.
8.
Maintaining Documentation
We advise developers and testers
to maintain detailed documentation about the estimating process. During this
process, they should also mention the reasons behind allocating their resources
and all the other decisions that they will take during this process. Using this
documentation, the app developers can create a reference point for future
changes in the application development life cycle. Moreover, market experts
also suggest that detailed documentation about the app development process also
helps in future debugging and troubleshooting processes.
The testers must remember that
accurate resource estimation is very challenging and requires multiple
adjustments as the project progresses. It is also important to maintain
communication among team members and stakeholders. By continuously evaluating
the status of the application development project, testers will be able to
refine their estimates and ensure the success of the project. Moreover, having
enough resources about the target audience and company intentions for the
application will further help to refine the estimation process.
The Bottom
Line
So we can easily say that
full-stack development is one of the primary components of the modern
application development life cycle. Moreover, properly estimating the resources
for this process will help the companies maintain their time and economic efficiency.
The app companies can also conduct seminars and awareness campaigns to spread
adequate knowledge about modern development and testing practices. It is also
advisable to consider the developer preferences and app requirements while
choosing the tools and platforms for the full-stack estimation process. This
process will help to boost the development productivity.