VANTAGE POINT

Process

Our custom software development process, step by step

Building software should not feel like a black box. This is the shape of a typical engagement, so you know what is coming at each stage. Every project is different, so we adjust the details to fit yours.

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The shape of an engagement

Our custom software development process in five stages

Five stages from first conversation to ongoing improvement. It is a shape, not a fixed schedule: stages can overlap or repeat, and we agree on timing with you after discovery.

  1. Discovery

    We learn how your business works and agree what to build first.

  2. Prototype

    You see and click through the idea before we build it.

  3. Build

    Working software, delivered in small pieces.

  4. Launch

    We take it live and help your team settle in.

  5. Care

    We keep it running and keep improving it.

In detail

What happens at each step

The four steps you see on our home page, with what we do, what we need from you, and what you get.

Step 1: Discovery

Listen

We start with your business, not with technology. The goal of discovery is a shared, written-down understanding of what to build first and why.

What we do

  • Talk with you and the people who do the work.
  • Walk through how things happen today, including the awkward exceptions.
  • Find where time, money or information gets lost.
  • Agree the smallest useful first phase.

What we need from you

  • A little time from you and from the people who know the work well.
  • Honest answers, including the messy parts.
  • Examples to look at: the spreadsheets, forms or screens you use today.

What you get

  • A plain-language summary of what we heard.
  • A recommended scope for a first phase.
  • A quote for that phase.

Step 2: Prototype

Design together

Before we build, you see it. We sketch the flows and screens and turn them into a prototype you can click through, so changes are easy to make.

What we do

  • Sketch the main flows and screens with you.
  • Turn them into a clickable prototype.
  • Collect your reactions and adjust.

What we need from you

  • Feedback on what works and what does not.
  • Decisions on the open questions, with our recommendation as a starting point.
  • Your sign-off on the design before we build.

What you get

  • A clickable prototype of the first phase.
  • A refined scope based on what you saw.
  • A clear picture of what will be built.

Step 3: Build

Build in the open

We build in small pieces and show you working software as we go. You can try it, react and steer, so there are no surprises at the end.

What we do

  • Build the first phase in small, usable pieces.
  • Show you working software regularly.
  • Test with realistic scenarios from your business.

What we need from you

  • Quick feedback when we ask for it.
  • Someone who can answer questions about how the work really happens.
  • A willingness to try each piece as it arrives.

What you get

  • Working software at each stage, not just at the end.
  • Plain-language updates on progress.
  • A say in changes as you learn.

Steps 4 and 5: Launch and care

Launch and keep improving

Going live is the start, not the finish. We help you launch, then stay with you as the software meets real days and real customers.

What we do

  • Plan the go-live with you.
  • Help move over existing data and settle your team in.
  • Fix what real-world use turns up.
  • Offer ongoing care and improvement on a monthly basis.

What we need from you

  • A launch date that works for your business.
  • Early feedback from your team.
  • A view on what to improve next.

What you get

  • Software that is live and in use.
  • A team you can turn to afterwards.
  • A steady stream of improvements, if you choose ongoing care.

Pricing

How pricing works

No two projects are alike, so we do not publish a price list. Here is how it works in general terms.

  • Quote after discovery

    We need to understand your business before we can price it honestly. So we start with discovery, then give you a quote for a clearly defined first phase.

  • Fixed-scope phases

    Work is broken into phases with a clear scope. You know what you are getting, and what you are paying for it, before each phase begins.

  • Monthly care

    After launch, ongoing care and improvement is a monthly arrangement covering fixes, updates and new features.

If the scope changes along the way, we talk about it first. Curious what a first phase could look like for you? Start a conversation.

First step

Ready for the first step?

Discovery starts with a conversation. Tell us what is slowing your business down, and we will take it from there.

Start a conversation

Prefer email? Write to hello@vantagepointsoftwaresystems.com.