Connect with us

Broadcasting

7 Powerful Tips to Speed Up Software Development for Startups

Published

on

Kindly share this post

By: Prince Osinachi Nchiba

When we think of speeding up software development for a startup, what do we think about?

-Do we think about the ability to ship features faster?

-Do we think about the growth of the team members?

-Or do we think about the speed of the software itself?

There are so many answers to these questions. However, as an expert in this field, I would state my position. Here is what I think:

Software development is quite important to a startup. Speeding up software development entails building the entire framework that will guarantee the prompt delivery of features that will ensure product success. This is inclusive of team development and resource management.

Before we continue to dig deeper, it is important we access the software development life cycle of a product.

To speed up software development, it is important to access the components of the software development lifecycle and improve it from there.

Analysis:

This is the point where the research is carried out on product feasibility. At this point, all the critical stakeholders are consulted. The requirements are gathered and prioritized by the team, and features in the backlog are also re-ordered. The critical stakeholder on this stage are the users.

How can this process be developed:

Since analysis is part of the development cycle, to speed it up, we need to look at the following:

●        Allow the requirement gathering process to happen in parallel with other sprints so that the engineering process need not be stopped when the analysis is being carried.

●        Use the voting or card system to manage the preferences of stakeholders. Without this being done, there could be chaos as a result of the clash of preferences among stakeholders.

●        Prioritise the requirements that will be fed into the engineering process. This speeds up the time required for software development by 50%.

Design

This design stage involves the process of building the flows, high-fidelity wireframes and the architecture design that are required for the engineering sprint. The critical stakeholder at this stage is the solutions architect. The design stage is an input to the core of software engineering process and it help prevent a lot of errors.

How can this process be developed:

To drive software development speed, the following needs to be considered at the design stage:

  1. The precise architectural design tools should be used. This saves the software development time by a large margin.
  2. There should be proper documentation of this process, so that it can be re-used as a template in the future
  3. The input required for the design process should be readily available (e.g Product Requirement Document).

Development

This is the most crucial of all the stages as it involves the active coding process. At this point, the frontend engineers collaborate in converting the user interface into actual screens. The backend engineers also work on the server side of the project, they build the endpoints and APIs required for the product to function well.

How can this process be developed:

For effective time management, the following needs to be done at this stage:

-There should be a project management tool for effort estimation, task execution and roadmapping. This will help keep the team organized.

-There needs to be a DevOps engineer that helps to manage the infrastructural needs of the developers. This will help save the engineering development time by 35%.

Testing

At this stage, the testing of what has been developed commences. The most important stakeholder here are the QA testers. The software is tested for bugs, latency, among many other things.

The product manager also tests the platform to be sure that what was intended is what is built based on the requirements document. The product manager also tests the flow end-to-end.

How can this process be developed:

  1. The use of testing tools can help speed up this phase (as the testing tool serves as a documenter and analysis tool).
  2. When testing, the core MVP capabilities need to be prioritised.
  3. There should be a standby set of user testers.

 Deployment & Maintenance

These stages involve the release of the software to a live or test environment. It also involves the refining and maintenance of the product after it has been released. All the stakeholders play a role at this stage. This is also the stage of final approval where what has been developed is reviewed and shipped.

How can this process be developed:

For speed, the following options can be leveraged:

The stakeholders should be consulted before the deployment stage, the stakeholder buy-in is very crucial to the eventual release of the product. If they are consulted, the engineering time would be reduced by a large margin.

What other tips are there?

Beyond the software development cycle, there are some other external-related factors that can be crucial to the speed of software development and delivery. They are highlighted below:

The diagram above shows some other activities that are central to achieving the milestones of speeding up the software development processes.

1)      Technical agility: It is important for the software development cycle to be agile and iterative.

2)      Project management: Development speed is also attained when there is effective task management. I have seen this work over the years of experience of my work.

3)      MVP definition: Another critical aspect is defining the Minimum Valuable Product features from the get-go. Having a focus improves speed.

4)      Solutions architecture: When architecture is properly built, it is easy to build on it.

5)      Analytics: Keeping track and measuring all the segments within the engineering process is quite important. It helps in knowing what to optimise.

6)      Code review: It is important to review the codes often, to prevent latency. Also, using platforms like Github allows you to see the code merges and resolve conflicts if it arises.

7)      Outsourcing & Recruitment: Finally, when there is low human capital on the ground, it is crucial to either hire more or outsource to external people. This is a sure way to speed up engineering timing.

I have experience leading the software development process for many high-growth companies.

Kindly share this post

Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

Broadcasting

What Adekunle Gold’s Support Means for ‘The Gathering on 100

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Popular Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold has lent his support to the growing youth-driven movement behind The Gathering on 100, further amplifying conversations around what is fast becoming one of the most talked-about upcoming experiences among young Nigerians.

What Adekunle Gold’s Support Means for ‘The Gathering on 100

Adekunle Gold

Known for his music and his strong connection with youth culture and evolving creative expression, Adekunle Gold’s involvement signals a deeper alignment between the event and the kind of audience it is attracting, a generation that is bold, expressive, and constantly redefining what community looks like.

While details of his involvement remain understated, his visible support adds a new layer of support and cultural relevance to the movement. In a landscape where attention is currency, endorsements from artists of his stature often act as a signal, drawing more eyes, more curiosity, and ultimately, more participation, but beyond visibility, the significance lies in what it represents.

The new father has, over the years, built a reputation for embracing creativity in its many forms, from music to visual storytelling, fashion, and digital engagement. His brand has consistently resonated with young Nigerians navigating similar spaces of self-expression and identity.

From interactive experiences like live music sessions and open performance moments to fashion runways and content creation spaces, the event is designed to blur the lines between audience and participant. It invites attendees to move beyond observation and become part of the moment.

This is a concept that closely mirrors the kind of cultural shift Adekunle Gold has been part of, one where boundaries between creator and consumer continue to dissolve.

His support also reflects a broader trend within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where artists are increasingly engaging with youth-led initiatives that go beyond traditional performances. Rather than simply appearing on stage, they are aligning with movements that foster community, creativity, and shared experience.

For fans and attendees, this adds another dimension to what The Gathering on 100 represents.

As registrations increase and conversations expand across social platforms, the movement is gradually taking shape through the collective interest of those drawn to it.

Head to gathering.com to register.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Broadcasting

INEC Warns Broadcasters against Misinformation ahead of 2027 Polls

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Prof. Joash Amupitan, chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged broadcast organisations in Nigeria to exercise greater responsibility in the dissemination of information as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Warns Broadcasters against Misinformation ahead of 2027 Polls

Amupitan made the call on Wednesday, while addressing participants at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), where he highlighted the growing influence of the media in shaping electoral processes.

He noted that the information environment has become increasingly significant in modern elections, warning that the spread of false or misleading information through broadcast channels could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.

According to the INEC chairman, media organisations must ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly those relating to  political broadcasting. Politics

He explained that the law requires equitable access to broadcast platforms for all registered political parties, stressing that fairness in media coverage is essential to maintaining a level playing field during elections.

“With 22 registered political parties, fairness in airtime allocation and coverage is a legal obligation,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chairman also cautioned broadcasters against airing content that contains abusive, inflammatory, or divisive language capable of inciting ethnic, religious, or sectional tensions.

Such broadcasts, he said, could threaten national unity and disrupt the electoral process if not properly managed.

Amupitan further reminded media organisations about the 24-hour cooling-off period mandated by law before election day, during which all political campaigns and advertisements must cease.

He explained that the measure is intended to provide voters with time to reflect on their choices without being influenced by last-minute campaign messaging.

While acknowledging the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, Amupitan emphasised that the right must be exercised within the limits of the law.

He noted that the airwaves are a public resource and must therefore be used responsibly to ensure fairness, balance, and equal access for all political actors.

The INEC chairman also pointed to the collaborative roles of INEC and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in regulating political broadcasting, although he acknowledged that certain challenges persist.

These challenges, he said, include regulatory overlaps, gaps in enforcement, and the increasing convergence of traditional broadcast media with digital platforms, which has made monitoring political communication more complex.

Amupitan also expressed concern over perceived incumbency advantages in state-owned broadcast stations and the growing commercialisation of political airtime, warning that these practices could disadvantage smaller political parties. Politics

To address these concerns, he called for stronger collaboration between regulatory agencies, clearer guidelines on equal access to media platforms, and improved systems for fact-checking and verification.

He also advocated increased transparency in political advertising, including the disclosure of sponsorship and pricing structures.

Amupitan urged broadcasters to prioritise accuracy and professionalism in their operations, encouraging them to verify information before dissemination and play an active role in combating fake news.

He also called on the media to contribute to voter education and civic mobilisation, noting that public participation is vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.

Reaffirming the commission’s commitment to transparency, the INEC chairman advised media organisations to rely on official INEC communication channels for verified electoral information.

He added that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend not only on electoral logistics and technology but also on the integrity of the country’s information environment.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Broadcasting

Multichoice Bleeds Customers in South Africa, Loses 580,000 Subscribers

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Rising cost of living, currency depreciation, and competition from streaming services have all conspired to see MultiChoice lose 589,000 South African subscribers in its latest financial year.

Multichoice Bleeds Customers in South Africa, Loses 580,000 Subscribers

The decline is across premium, mid-market and mass segments of its operation.

After completing its acquisition of MultiChoice, Canal+ has moved to stabilise the business.

MultiChoice’s new leadership under David Mignot, CEO,  hopes to “stop the bleeding and get back to growth”.

The new leadership has scrapped DStv’s annual price increase and decided to shut down Showmax, the in-house streaming platform that struggled to compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Canal+execs have described Showmax as unsuccessful, noting that the difficult transition to online streaming, combined with currency devaluation in Nigeria and power cuts, had hurt MultiChoice’s profitability.

MultiChoice ended 2025 with 14.4 million subscribers across Africa, down from 14.9 million a year earlier, while revenue declined 6 percent to 2.4 billion euros.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending