We’re considering building an internal business application, but I keep hearing stories about projects running over budget or delivering features nobody uses. For those who’ve been through a bespoke software project, what preparation made the biggest difference? Did you document workflows first, involve end users early, or build an MVP before expanding? I’d love to hear practical lessons from real projects.
What's the biggest mistake companies make before commissioning custom software?
Bringing this one back up because you’ve hit on the real issue. From what I’ve seen, the biggest mistake is skipping the user interviews. If you don’t watch how people actually do their daily work, you’ll build features nobody uses. Start by asking the team to show you their biggest pain point first, then build the tiniest fix for that one. What’s the single step they hate most right now?
The biggest mistake is skipping a proper discovery phase. I used redeagle.tech for a small automation project – their fixed price and upfront workflow mapping saved me from budget surprises. Involving end users early and building an MVP matter, but getting requirements right first is key.