Getting Your Original Software Idea Off The Ground

So you have an idea for a software application that you think could make you a millionaire. But how do you begin? Should you create a design document or just start coding right away? Maybe you can hire a programmer to do it for you. Or perhaps you can do it together with some programmer friends. In this article we give some tips to help your get your million dollar idea off the ground.

The most essential thing to do is to write your ideas down. Even in a notepad document. It doesn't need to be a 500 word analysis. Just write your application's main points and the application's main objectives. It should also explain who the program is geared for and what it's trying to solve. Without this document, your ideas will be stuck in a state of disarray.

So you have your idea's main object written down in a document. The next thing to do is to create a design document. Most programmers skip this part and go directly to programming. But without a design document, you're basically coding without a map. Eventually you will get lost. A design document helps your stay focused on the project's main points and helps you see the project in a wider perspective. It's much easier to update a design document than to realize your 20 hours of coding don't make any sense. The design document will also help you think of the best way to separate the application into working modules.

If you're creating the project with other programmers, its imperative that everyone knows their objectives and that everyone realizes what is expected of them. This is also the time to set deadlines. Also, remember to discuss how you will handle any unforeseen issues and most important of all, setup weekly meetings to discuss how the project is going. If you're working on the project on your own, the most important thing to do is to stay focused and to set yourself a time frame to complete each module. If you have a design document, refer to it often to help you get re-focused.

Once your project is complete, its time to test. You can perform a quick test run yourself, but programmers aren't usually good at QA. I suggest getting some non-programmer friends to QA the project for you. Since it's almost certain that your application is not meant for programmers, there is a big advantage in using non-tech individuals to test your application. They usually find stuff that programmers never would have discovered.

Once you're happy with your application, uploaded to the net and start reaping the rewards. Of course, web surfers still need to find your unique application. But getting search engines find your site is another monster all together.

Adrian Soto is a developer with over a decade of experience in the software industry. You can find him at www.ChartGo.com You can use the chartgo to create Forex Charts.