Thinking about custom software, but not sure what the process actually looks like?
Working with a local Adelaide developer is different from engaging offshore or large consultancies. Here's what you can realistically expect.
Key Insight: Working with a local Adelaide developer means face-to-face collaboration, same-timezone communication, and developers who understand Australian business. The process typically takes 8-16 weeks for most SME projects, with 4-6 sessions together and regular progress updates.
Before You Start: The Initial Contact
What We Need to Know
- • What problem you're trying to solve
- • What you're using now (spreadsheets, off-the-shelf, manual)
- • Rough budget range (so we don't waste your time)
- • Any timeline drivers or deadlines
What You Should Ask
- • Experience with similar projects
- • Development approach (waterfall, agile, hybrid)
- • Team size and location
- • Availability and realistic timeline
Pro Tip: Be honest about budget upfront. Good developers will tell you if custom software fits your budget or suggest alternatives. It saves everyone time and builds trust from day one.
Phase 1: Discovery & Planning (2-3 weeks)
Discovery Session (2-4 hours, face-to-face)
Where & Who:
Usually at your office so we can see your environment. Key stakeholders who'll use the system.
What We Cover:
Deep dive into current processes, pain points, whiteboarding, process mapping.
What You Get
- • Requirements document (plain English, not technical jargon)
- • Proposed solution architecture
- • Feature list with priorities
- • Project timeline
- • Detailed quote (fixed price or phased)
Example Timeline:
Week 1: Discovery session | Week 2: We write the proposal
Week 3: Review, questions, refinements | Week 4: Agreement signed, project starts
Phase 2: Design & Mockups (1-2 weeks)
User Interface Design
- • Wireframes first (basic layouts showing structure)
- • Review session (in person or video)
- • Visual design mockups
- • Mobile and desktop versions
Your Cheapest Insurance Policy: Spotting a workflow problem in mockups costs $0. Spotting it after development costs thousands. This phase is where you catch issues before they're expensive to fix.
Phase 3: Development (4-12 weeks)
How We Build
Development Approach:
- • Iterative (you see progress regularly)
- • Features built in priority order
- • Regular builds you can test
Communication:
- • Weekly progress emails
- • Fortnightly check-in calls
- • Same-day email responses
Your Involvement
- • Review demo builds
- • Test as features complete
- • Answer questions about business logic
- • Provide sample data
- • Typically 1-2 hours/week
AI-Powered Development Means
- • Faster feature delivery (30-40% savings)
- • More consistent code quality
- • Better documentation
- • Lower costs passed to you
Important: Your involvement matters. Quick responses to questions keep the project moving. Delayed responses delay delivery. Budget 1-2 hours per week for questions and reviews.
Phase 4: Testing & Refinement (1-2 weeks)
Your Testing (User Acceptance Testing)
- • Test with real scenarios from your business
- • Try to break it (seriously!)
- • Check all edge cases
- • Verify it matches requirements
- • Test on your actual devices
Testing Tip: The best testers try to break the software. Don't be gentle—better to find issues now than after go-live. Think of unusual scenarios, extreme cases, and everything that could go wrong.
Phase 5: Data Migration & Training (1-2 weeks)
Getting Your Data In
- • Export from existing systems
- • Clean and format data
- • Test migration first
- • Full migration when verified
Training Your Team
- • Administrators (2-3 hours)
- • Regular users (1-2 hours)
- • Video recordings provided
- • Written documentation
Data Migration Reality: Data migration is often underestimated. If you have 10 years of messy data in spreadsheets, we'll need time (and sometimes your help) to clean it. Budget for this in your timeline.
Phase 6: Go-Live & Handover
Launch Day
- • Final data migration
- • Switch over to live system
- • Monitor closely for first 24-48 hours
- • Quick response to any issues
What You Get
- • Admin access and credentials
- • Source code (you own it)
- • All documentation
- • Training recordings
After Go-Live: Ongoing Relationship
Support Options
- • Pay-as-you-go for small changes
- • Retainer for ongoing support (2-10 hrs/month)
- • Dedicated support for mission-critical
- • You choose what fits your needs
The Adelaide Advantage Continues
- • Drop by for planning sessions
- • Coffee meetings for enhancements
- • Face-to-face support when needed
- • Long-term partnership
What Makes Local Adelaide Development Different
Face-to-Face Meetings
Discovery at your office. See your environment firsthand. White board together. Build better rapport.
Same Timezone, Same City
Email in morning, response by lunch. No 12-hour delays. Emergency? Drop by or video call immediately.
Understanding Local Business
Know Australian regulations. Familiar with Xero, MYOB, local banks. Understand GST, super, Fair Work.
Long-Term Partnership
We're here in 5 years when you need enhancements. Local reputation matters. Invested in your success.
Offshore Development
Pro: Lower hourly rates
Cons: Timezone delays (12+ hrs), communication challenges, cultural barriers, hidden costs
Large Consultancy
Pro: Large team resources
Cons: Very expensive, junior devs do work, cookie-cutter approach, inflexible
Adelaide Local ✓
Pro: Best of both worlds
Personal service, reasonable cost, direct communication, tailored solutions, long-term partnership, same timezone
Red Flags to Watch For
🚩 Red Flags
- • Promises quick and cheap
- • Won't show progress until "done"
- • Vague timeline or deliverables
- • Won't put agreements in writing
- • Can't explain decisions in plain English
- • No examples of previous work
✓ Green Flags
- • Honest about challenges and timeline
- • Regular communication and demos
- • Clear proposals and agreements
- • Asks more questions than assumes
- • Transparent pricing
- • Proud to show previous work
Summary: The Journey at a Glance
Timeline Breakdown:
- • Weeks 1-3: Discovery & Planning
- • Weeks 4-5: Design & Mockups
- • Weeks 6-15: Development
- • Weeks 16-17: Testing & Refinement
- • Weeks 18-19: Migration & Training
- • Week 20: Go-Live
Key Points:
- • Typical project: 12-20 weeks for SME
- • Your time investment: 20-30 hours total
- • Face-to-face sessions: 4-6 throughout
- • Communication: Weekly updates
- • Outcome: Software you own
What You Should Remember
- The process is structured but flexible—you're involved at key points
- Face-to-face collaboration makes a real difference in outcomes
- Regular communication keeps everyone aligned
- AI speeds up development, but human expertise drives quality
- Testing and feedback loops prevent expensive mistakes
- You own the code and the relationship continues after launch
- Local Adelaide developers understand your business context
Ready to Start a Conversation?
Let's have a no-obligation chat about your project. We'll walk you through what the process would look like for your specific situation.
Get Your Free ConsultationFree 30-minute discovery call. Adelaide office or yours.
Working with a local Adelaide developer should feel like a partnership, not a vendor relationship. You deserve transparency, communication, and software that actually solves your problems. That's what we're here for.