Soft Skills in Custom Software Development

Custom software development is a technological process concerning lots of time at a computer, but it is not lacking a fair share of social communication as well. Good developers require being able to interrelate with their clients in order to give growth reports and obtain constructive feedback. There is a diversity of different ways a developer can prefer to act together with a client, but some are more effectual than others. Choosing the most efficient method of communicating will help both parties clearly exemplify their communication and mitigate any doubt on issues that have risen in the development process. Developers should also be prepared to talk with clients about prospects for projects in a way that doesn't upset them or make them sense lost and mystified. Efficient message can get better project results and create an improved work environment.

There are four features to any communication: the proposed meaning of the communication, what was exactly said by the presenter, what was heard by the listening party, and what the listening party interprets the communication they heard to mean. Unluckily, the intended message that the speaker is trying to convey might differ really from the listeners' explanation. What's worse, the listeners' understanding is the only aspect that makes a difference. In custom software development, an uncertain release of a message might radically change a client's expectations from a developer. A developer might think they're being crystal clear in what they've promised to give for the client, but weeks down the road when the client comes back mystified with their new software, that developer might find out the promises they made were not totally precise.

Face-to-face communiqué gives the best possibility of effectively conveying a message. Over 90% of message is non-verbal, meaning that communication is less clear over non-verbal mediums. However, confronting each other communication is not always probable. Speaking on the phone is the second-best option, since although body language isn't visible; the listener still can perceive sound tone and variation in the speaker's voice. E-mail fails to give anything but text on a screen, and how the reader interprets that text can vary greatly depending on the mood they're in at the time they receive it. Plus, if there's any uncertainty to what a statement in the e-mail might mean, the person who receives the message must write back to the sender and wait for a reply. This procedure takes time and creates mystification. Even immediate messaging is a superior option to e-mail since it permits for real-time communication.

When preparing for a conference with a client, developers should always be able to provide an agenda for what will be discussed. Never leave it up to the client to give an outline for the meeting. It impresses clients when the developer previously has talking points, even if it is just a list of topics that need to be addressed. Custom software development is exclusive, and clients expect to be able to perceive a plan of action. They don't be expecting to direct the project themselves.