In our previous article, we examined the synchronicity gap, and highlighted the importance of synchronised and adaptable software solutions for keeping pace with evolving business needs and operations. Here we delve deeper into how custom software and partnering with a specialised provider like Synetec can promote sustainable growth and business success.
Custom software development is a powerful and strategic tool that can benefit many firms in every stage of their business evolution. However, when a firm’s original proprietary software does not evolve with the needs of a scaling business, a synchronicity gap becomes apparent and continues to grow as the requirements of the business and market conditions continue to change.
To realign a firm’s technology with its growing trajectory, companies should consider the following steps:
1. Assess your software: evaluate the current software's capabilities and limitations in relation to the evolving business requirements. This involves pin-pointing specific areas where the software falls short and understanding the root causes of these gaps.
2. Involve key players: although it may not always be easy, engage with stakeholders from different departments to gather comprehensive insights into the current and future needs of the business. This helps ensure that any updates or changes to the software align with the overall strategic objectives.
3. Develop a practical plan: create a detailed plan that outlines the necessary modifications, upgrades, or replacements needed to bridge the gap. The plan should include timelines, milestones, and the resources needed to ensure timely implementation both in short, intense periods of development, and over time.
4. Partner with experts: if internal resources are limited, consider a partnership with external experts such as Synetec who specialise in custom software development and business transformation. With our team’s expertise, we can provide specialist skills and capabilities to support in modernising the software – when and where they are needed.
5. Invest in your people and your teams: Ensure internal that teams are well-trained on the new or updated software to maximise its effectiveness. Ongoing support and training are helpful for companies to mitigate resistance to change and ensure smooth adoption.
6. Regularly review and update: set up a continuous review and improvement process for your software. We all know that you can’t manage what you don’t measure, so regularly assessing your software’s performance against business objectives is essential. This approach helps to identify areas for improvement and ensures the software keeps pace company’s growth and changing demands.
Ignoring the synchronicity gap need can lead to significant challenges. When systems fail to align with the growing needs of a business, the smallest changes or new features can take an inordinate amount of time to deliver. This, combined with the maintenance and support required for outdated software systems, can become extremely expensive in terms of both time, resources available, and budget.
Moreover, as software systems become more misaligned, the risks of failure increase substantially. This is due to the accumulation of technical debt, which can lead to frequent failures following new software releases. According to theDORA (DevOps Research and Assessment) metrics, 67% of releases fail and have to be rolled back, which underscores the critical nature of this issue. This high failure rate not only disrupts business operations but also escalates costs and undermines the reliability of the system.
It is therefore imperative for firms to proactively address these gaps to ensure their software evolves in tandem with their business needs. At Synetec, we focus on understanding the specific needs of your firm. Rather than providing standalone or one-off solutions, we work to support a firm’s existing capabilities, its internal teams, and its people to bridge the gap. Our team’s extensive expertise and specialist skillsets can help to not only develop custom software but also ensure it remains in sync and relevant with the business and its needs over months, years, and decades.
To maintain a competitive edge and remain resilient in the market, it is crucial for scaling businesses to proactively address the synchronicity gap that often emerges when custom and proprietary software systems no longer meet the evolving business requirements. Partnering with Synetec offers a strategic advantage for firms to effectively bridge the gap before it causes significant operational problems.
Click here to watch more about the synchronicity gap, and contact us to find out how we can help realign your software systems with your firm’s dynamic needs to support sustained growth and operational excellence.
If you would like to discuss a bespoke software development project, challenge or goal please book a 30 minute Clarity Call with us and we'll point you in the right direction (even if you chose not to work with us)
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