Reason #1: WiFi, Wireless Tech and Mobile Technology

With the widespread availability of WiFi and the massive expanse of mobile wireless networks, it’s easy to forget that the world was very different just a few years ago.

Mobile technology and wireless network innovations have fueled many advancements, from the explosive growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) to the automation of municipal infrastructure and beyond. Even cars are now equipped with their own WiFi hotspots—a concept that we could only dream about just five or ten years ago.

We’re even on the cusp of faster, more advanced wireless networks. AT&T, Verizon and a number of other wireless providers are reportedly working on this new technology, with Verizon announcing in early 2017 that its 5G test program will be trialed in eleven U.S. cities in 2017. According to a February 2017 announcement, the first 5G-equipped phones are expected to be unveiled in 2019, one year ahead of schedule.

These blistering speed combined with improved network reliability and connectivity truly hold the potential to be a game-changer in ways that we can’t even conceive of today. Just as the people of the 1800s couldn’t conceive of the Internet of Things or virtual reality technology, it’s impossible to accurately predict how the world will change from new advancements.

Reason #2: The Internet of Things

The IoT is transforming many aspects of everyday life, allowing us to have far greater control and interaction between the devices and appliances in our homes and offices and facilitating advances and capabilities in manufacturing and industry, even our motor vehicles.

We’re already seeing cultural shifts and infrastructure-related changes to accommodate smart cars and the new frontier is entire smart cities. For instance, car share systems are gaining popularity and this could ultimately evolve into a system where car ownership is antiquated and smart cars roam autonomously to collect and transport passengers. Smart cities are rapidly becoming reality, as more and more manufacturers and city planners leverage the newest technology to replace more traditional, legacy systems.

The IoT is one of the fastest-growing technology niches, with Business Insider estimating that companies and individuals alike will invest as much as $6 trillion dollars in the IoT between 2016 and 2020. By then, they estimate that there will be 34 billion internet-connected devices, with over 24 billion of those devices comprising the IoT.

There is no question that we’ll see tremendous growth in the IT, software and app development sectors in conjunction with the ever-growing IoT. We can only imagine precisely how our everyday life will be altered as a result.

Reason #3: Cloud Technology and Data Centers

Cloud computing has transformed the ways in which we share, access and store data. Applications, software and files are no longer tied to a specific device or network, while cloud-based hosting combines with wireless advancements to allow for even greater scalability and unparalleled performance.

Powering today’s cloud technology is a sophisticated network of data centers. A single corporation can generate terabytes or even petabytes of data on a daily basis. That has prompted rapid growth and advancement to allow for more convenient, intuitive data storage, organization and accessibility capabilities in the cloud. This has set the stage for rapid cloud-based evolution in the coming years.

Reason #4: Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

Augmented and virtual reality are two fast-growing tech niches with strong roots in the gaming industry. But AR and VR technology is being used in some very new and exciting ways, from allowing homebuyers to remotely tour a house for sale, to allowing for virtual in-person meetings.

VR and AR are revolutionizing the way in which we interact with technology and it has some futurists theorizing that we might ultimately see a significant blur in the line between real life and virtual life.

Already, there are innovations that could make for a far more realistic virtual experience, like a device designed to replicate smells. The human imagination is truly the only limit in this fast-growing field.

Reason #5: Digital Security

Whether you’re exploring the most recent wireless advancements, the IoT, the cloud or AR and VR, you’re facing entirely new security concerns. New technology comes with new holes that must be identified and patched to prevent exploitation, data theft and other harmful activity.

The tech security field has a rather unique mission: There’s a need to invent new security and encryption methods, while also updating current security measures in response to newly-discovered vulnerabilities. So we can expect to see major growth in both areas in the coming years.

Staying Ahead of the High-Tech Curve

In your company’s efforts to remain an industry leader, it’s easy to get hyper-focused on short-term goals associated with keeping pace with today’s ever-evolving technology. Often, more innovative tech projects fall by the wayside. This is where you can benefit from working with a tech and IT staffing provider like iTech, as we can supplement your staff on a per-project basis with a practice known as insourcing. Whether you’re seeking to develop a software suite to manage your company’s IoT network, wish to convert to cloud-based servers or require help solving a unique software security challenge, a team of tech experts and developers will join your in-house staff as you make advances toward a more innovative stance on technology.

At iTech, we place a tremendous emphasis on a cutting-edge approach in all that we do. This focus on high-tech trailblazing goes a long way toward helping our clients to achieve their goals and objectives for growth, advancement and innovation. Contact us today to learn more about our offerings.

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But unfortunately, this scenario isn’t isolated or even uncommon. Unclear project specifications are a primary cause of scope creep, which, in turn, leads to budget overruns, longer-than-projected timeframes, and loads of stress. It’s actually surprisingly easy to get sucked into a project that lacks precise, exacting specs, particularly in cases where the client is indecisive or uncertain.

So where do you go from here? And how do you ensure that your specs are clear and well-defined? The key to a successful project is to develop an outline that is specific and complete, leaving no questions or room for interpretation.

Tip #1: Avoid Overly Simplistic or Overly Complex Specs

Poor development project specs are too simplistic, leaving lots of unknowns that leave the door open to scope creep. In an effort to avoid this well-known pitfall, many project leaders will go in the opposite direction, packing in loads of detail. The end result is a complex and convoluted set of specifications that makes it impossible for developers to accurately envision the project as a whole. This can be especially problematic if the project planners lacked a firm understanding of what is—and what is not—achievable from a development standpoint.

Therefore, it’s important to strike a solid balance, with specs that are precise and leave no questions unanswered. But resist the urge to go overboard, including large volumes of unnecessary detail.

Tip #2: Build Specs with Design and Development in Mind

A theoretical vision for a project can differ quite significantly from that which is practical and doable in terms of scope, form, and functionality. Therefore, it’s vital that you work with designers and developers as you’re outlining the specifications for a project.

Working with lead developers and designers gives you an opportunity to get a more accurate feel for precisely what’s possible from an architectural and design standpoint and what’s viable in terms of function and feature development. You’ll also gain insight into what the target user will view as desirable in the specific app or software that you’re creating.

By considering design and development elements of the project, you’ll reduce the chances of seeing major (and potentially costly) mid-stream spec alterations.

Tip #3: Craft Specs With a Phased Approach in Mind

It’s challenging and impractical to tackle a large development project (or other tech and IT projects, for that matter) in one fell swoop. Instead, break the project into phases and echo this staged approach in your specs. Make note of logical phase division points as you craft the specifications and be sure to pass this information to your project managers.

A bite-sized approach offers greater clarity by turning a huge, overwhelming project into something that’s far more digestible. This allows developers to focus on a narrow segment of the project scope as they work toward achieving specific, short-term objectives.

A phased development strategy allows you to accommodate a milestone-based invoicing structure. You can also provide the client with periodic deliverables, thereby increasing their level of satisfaction.

Tip #4: Implement Defined Change Protocols

It’s unrealistic to expect every project to proceed exactly as planned. It’s not uncommon for the project to evolve and change as it progresses through the various phases while en route to completion. This can be a positive thing, as long as the evolution in scope and specs is also reflected in the project’s budget, timeline, and expectations…lest you stray into the realm of scope creep.

It’s vital that you take a precise, systematic approach to handling spec-related changes. You must establish a set protocol for requesting changes, approving and documenting alterations, then finally, updating the project timeline and budget accordingly. Development project software systems like Jira provide an environment that’s well-suited to processing changes in a manner that’s both orderly and effective.

Tip #5: Bring in a Team to Handle Your Project (and its Specs)

The most challenging specs are those that fall outside your tech team’s comfort zone. You’re essentially tasked with creating a detailed and accurate map for a region of uncharted waters. These projects carry a very high risk of seeing longer-than-expected development timeframes, budget overruns, and even catastrophic failure.

One option is to proceed with the project in-house, as you fly by the seat of your pants and hope for the best. You could also outsource the project, but this can be costly and the finished result may be less than ideal. A third choice is to insource the project, which involves calling in a team of tech professionals who will work hand-in-hand with your staff to complete the project. The latter option can be a suitable choice for a wide range of company and project types.

iTech is one of the few companies to offer the unique tech and IT staffing solution known as insourcing. We hire an elite group of developers and other tech professionals who are assembled into a team that operates like a well-oiled machine. Then, our team is dispatched and embedded within your company’s staff, where they’ll actively work to achieve their set objective. Our tech staffing firm is headquartered in Texas and we serve the Texas Triangle (Dallas, Houston, and Austin) along with clients throughout the United States and beyond. Contact iTech today to learn more about this unique service offering.

The post 5 Tips to Avoid Unclear Software Development Project Specs first appeared on iTech.

Executives from a handful of notable, high-tech companies engaged in a recent panel discussion on the best ways to hire technical talent. Some of the companies represented included VMware, Stripe, and Dropbox. While the tech executives agreed on many hiring tips, they also disagreed about some things. This may have been because their company cultures differed, and they didn’t all have the same priorities. These tips could prove valuable, but every business really needs to develop their own hiring strategy.

Four Hiring Tips from Tech Execs

These were the most common points of agreement or disagreement about hiring IT staff and other technical people:

• Most executives agreed that internships provided a valuable chance to attract young talent. The internship period gives the candidate and the team a chance to really get to know each other.
• The executives also agreed that they shouldn’t shy away from hiring immigrants to fill hard-to-place spots. They observed that people from other cultures and countries often helped fuel innovation and were necessary to fill gaps.
• Before creating job postings, hiring managers really need to know what or who is competing for top talent. In some cases, it might be a famous tech company; but in other cases, it could just be a better location.
• One point of contention was the idea of paying higher salaries to attract superstar talent. While some companies believed the high producers brought value, others believed that it was management’s job to hire good people and groom them to produce more.

In addition, the executives talked about their company cultures. For example, some companies might value people with a more humble character; however, others preferred a little swagger. It’s this cultural fit that might be key to retaining people. There aren’t right or wrong company cultures, but they do differ quite a bit. The executives agreed that company cultures needed to get expressed in the hiring process. This way, they could find applicants who be more likely to fit in smoothly and stay loyal.

At iTech, We Help Make Hiring Technical Talent Easier

At iTech, we value our people and our clients. We can help you fill almost any type of technical position that you have. Let us know about your need for permanent employees, contractors, or temporary talent. You can find our contact information right here.

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