The Truth about Software Development Timeline: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint!

“Why does it take so long to finish my website or app? With your experience, it should be a breeze!” Many clients believe that professional experience means faster and quicker. However, for the Techtio web development team, the average software development timeline is akin to preparing for a marathon, not a sprint.

In a sprint, you need just one burst of energy to run faster than everyone else and cross the finish line first. A marathon is about carefully dosing your energy and spending it in repeated bursts. Otherwise, by the middle of the race, you’ll be running on empty.

Similarly, approaching the software development life cycle without careful planning of the team and resources will leave you unable to complete the project on time and to the client’s satisfaction.

Since we made this analogy, let us use it to explain the software development methodology in terms of preparing for a marathon.

Phase 1: Start the Software Development Timeline with Clear Goals

For a marathon runner, the biggest motivation is imagining that moment when they cross the finish line. For a software development team, each project starts with a clear description of the success scenario: problem-free deployment, perfect functionality, zero bugs and vulnerabilities.

Thus, the Techtio team starts by mapping the road to success:

• Setting clear goals
• Determining milestones
• Setting measurable KPIs
• Indicating moments when the client’s feedback is critical.

Phase 2: Start the Training

No one starts running a marathon without careful preparation. You need to be aware of your level of endurance and develop a training plan that takes you to the point when you can confidently take your place at the Start line.

Sustainable software development is the same:

• We define the coding standards we use
• We analyse the client’s style guide carefully
• We agree that testing at every phase of development is non-negotiable
• We master version control tools to avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes

Phase 3: Find Your Rhythm to Face the Daily Grind

Crossing the finish line is the glamorous culmination of lots of boring and soul-crushing days and months of training. The software engineering mindset can suffer the same demotivation as an athlete facing yet another day of strenuous training.

The trick is to find a rhythm that helps you overcome demotivation and keep going. This means:

• Splitting the project into smaller tasks
• Mastering the art of prioritisation
• Adopting an agile workflow
• Making use of automation whenever possible
• Taking strategic breaks to regain focus.

Phase 4: Embrace Adaptability to Face the Unexpected

Your marathon day could be warm and sunny or cold and rainy. So will be many of your training days. In some cases, you may start running in fine weather and find yourself drenched by a sudden downpour midrace.

The same thing is true for the software development timeline. Glitches and difficulties may occur at any moment. You have to include them in your planning and find solutions, such as:

• Checklist for responding to unplanned errors or delays
• Encouraging a culture where taking calculated risks is Okay
• Involving all stakeholders in decision-making
• Engaging in effective and clear communication.

Phase 5: Find Inspiration in Your Cheer Squad

Every marathon runner has someone waiting to cheer for them at the Finish line. It’s one of the motivations that keep a marathoner running, even when their entire body protests.

The same is true in the software engineering mindset. When we feel down, the rest of the team is there for us. We embrace constant team building and honest (even if uncomfortable) discussions, to let out steam and focus on the end goals:

• Clean code
• Tests passed at 100%
• Smooth deployment
• No issues when tests are done on the live version
• A happy client.

The Techtio software development team prepares for and runs these marathons every day. We don’t fall back on self-sufficiency after each successful project, but keep training as if we are starting from zero.

We do not run sprints – we face marathons, and this guarantees that you get the best possible website or app! Contact us today to start the race with us!