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As\u00a0products evolve, so must the\u00a0application\u00a0development process. Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) is born from what used to be a slew of different functions\u2014project management, requirements management, development, testing, quality assurance\u00a0(QA), delivery, and support\u2014working in siloed environments.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The work of\u00a0these disciplines\u00a0depends on one another\u00a0and needs\u00a0to be\u00a0conducted with continued collaboration\u00a0to achieve maximum efficiency in the shortest timeframe.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What is application lifecycle management?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Application lifecycle management (ALM) integrates the people, processes, and tools involved with software application development from preliminary planning through end-of-life. This unification optimizes communication and collaboration among all groups responsible for application development. Benefits of Application Lifecycle Management include improved quality, increased efficiency, and seamless overall management and maintenance of products.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Typically, ALM and PLM have been separate processes, each using their individual software solutions and tools. But\u00a0with the near-omnipresent convergence of hardware and software in product development, the process is likely to evolve.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why is\u00a0ALM\u00a0important\u00a0for development teams?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Unifying previously disparate practices into a single process\u00a0is an invaluable asset when it comes to creating complex software.\u00a0That\u2019s why\u00a0ALM is important\u2014it\u00a0helps companies realize a multitude of benefits such as,\u00a0enhancing\u00a0visibility throughout the software life cycle, simplifying\u00a0estimates to\u00a0assist with budget management, increasing\u00a0efficiency\u00a0to get applications to market quicker, and strengthening\u00a0product\u00a0quality.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Best practices,\u00a0templates,\u00a0and tools\u00a0for application lifecycle management<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The most important best practice for application lifecycle management\u00a0is to use the right tool for the job.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a part of a growing team,\u00a0a\u00a0<\/span>Requirements Traceability Matrix template<\/span>\u00a0can help your ALM process. At a\u00a0minimum,\u00a0an RTM\u00a0can ensure that test cases are\u00a0prepared\u00a0and requirements are met.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, with complex application development \u2014 especially in regulated industries \u2014 it\u2019s advisable to find an application lifecycle management tool. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are many benefits of using application lifecycle management tools compared to spreadsheets to manage the development of complex and regulated products.\u00a0Purpose-built management tools can streamline the people, processes, and integrations that constitute the\u00a0software development life cycle.\u00a0Whereas there are a variety of\u00a0<\/span>risks of using spreadsheets when developing complex and regulated products<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you are looking for a tool to support your application portfolio management, there are many\u00a0to\u00a0choose from. To help\u00a0organize\u00a0the ALM process, be sure to find a management solution that:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hearing\u00a0<\/span>what users say\u00a0about ALM software<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is also an important checkpoint that should not be skipped.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Key features needed in an application lifecycle management tool<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are many features of application lifecycle management tools;\u00a0it can be hard to know what\u2019s important. Below are\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>top features to look for in an ALM tool<\/span><\/a>. For even more\u00a0help with\u00a0selecting the right tool, look at our\u00a0<\/span>Requirements Management Buyer\u2019s Guide<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Requirements management is an integral part of any development, including software.\u00a0However, there are many requirements management methodologies that can be employed\u2014like waterfall or agile. Differing practices within the application development process usually means disparate best-of-breed tools to optimize activities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some companies try to force organizations into one software platform in an attempt to achieve the benefits of end-to-end process visibility. Typically, this approach fails due to lack of adoption and the result is an overall decrease in productivity. Therefore, it is important that your ALM tool adapts to the development methodology your teams already use so they don\u2019t have to change their workflow.<\/span><\/p>\n Tracking requirements throughout the lifecycle is critical to the success of the software delivered and ensures it meets the specifications set out to build.\u00a0 Being able to link these requirements across the application lifecycle creates a digital thread<\/a>. In Jama Connect\u00ae, this process is supported through Living Requirements\u2122 Management.<\/p>\n This is essential for regulated industries and is a best practice for any complex application development.\u00a0It\u00a0reduces the risk of negative product outcomes while preserving engineering autonomy and productivity.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This flexibility\u00a0helps increase adoption and usage, thus allowing you to quickly realize the benefits of an ALM tool\u2014increased collaboration, productivity, visibility, etc.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ALM tools can help with project estimation and planning, however the development method they are designed for can vary.\u00a0It\u2019s important to choose a tool that can support both waterfall and agile development.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For complex and regulated\u00a0product development it\u2019s also important to have an ALM tool with workflow functionality so you can set up a track to be followed systematically.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Successful development of complex applications requires top-notch communication and collaboration throughout the development life cycle.\u00a0Out of context\u00a0communications\u00a0like email\u00a0won\u2019t cut it.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your ALM tool of choice must allow for information flow in real time so it\u2019s never out of\u00a0date,\u00a0and\u00a0be\u00a0on record tied to the requirement or artifact\u00a0it pertains to. This way\u00a0visibility is upheld, and all parties know the latest information.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the coding aspect of software development is not regarded as a part of application lifecycle management, it is part of overall development. Therefore, the source code management functionality must be integrated into the ALM tool to ensure\u00a0<\/span>requirements traceability<\/span><\/a>\u00a0from definition through testing and defect resolution.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As stated\u00a0previously, software engineers should be able to choose their preferred coding\u00a0software\u00a0and still have it\u00a0integrate with the ALM tool. Be sure to research\u00a0<\/span>ALM tool\u00a0integration capabilities<\/span><\/a>\u00a0before selecting\u00a0a management solution\u00a0to ensure the tool is flexible.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Quality assurance\u00a0is a\u00a0leading\u00a0factor in an ALM tool.\u00a0What sets sophisticated ALM tools apart is the ability to truly deliver\u00a0end-to-end traceability. This means\u00a0it is\u00a0imperative to connect requirements with test status and ensure all requirements are verified and validated.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Best practice is to involve quality and testing teams earlier in the process to validate requirements and review and approve test plans. To achieve this goal, an ALM tool must\u00a0make\u00a0test\u00a0case\u00a0management\u00a0a top priority.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Top features of test management<\/span><\/a>\u00a0are the ability to monitor test progress with smart dashboards, perform both manual user-acceptance testing and support automated testing, trace failed tests to new and existing defects, reuse validated requirements, and integrate with your existing QA and testing ecosystem.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Like source code management,\u00a0deployment\u00a0and DevOps are not\u00a0typically considered part of ALM, however, your ALM tool needs to integrate with\u00a0DevOps tools and\u00a0the continuous integration servers your teams are using\u00a0for deployment. Furthermore, the dashboards and reports within the tool must have the ability to incorporate the data so full visibility is\u00a0achievable.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When using spreadsheets for ALM,\u00a0version control can be a nightmare. An ALM tool, on the other hand, houses a complete history of changes made to the application.\u00a0Smart ALM tools also feature personalized dashboards and reports.\u00a0This is\u00a0beneficial for decision making and invaluable for regulatory compliance.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This feature of ALM tools is not to be overlooked, as keeping customers happy is the lifeblood of any business. Support is what separates good apps from\u00a0cherished ones.\u00a0Also, customer feedback is often the fuel for new ideas and features. Be sure to choose an\u00a0<\/span>ALM platform with\u00a0premier\u00a0support<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Full visibility into the application development lifecycle is, of course, one of the main goals of an ALM tool. With so many moving parts it can be hard to know\u00a0where to look and when. That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial that your management tool have custom reports and smart dashboards to easily view strategic project metrics.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, you may already use a Project Portfolio Management tool, in which case, an\u00a0<\/span>ALM tool that can easily integrate<\/span><\/a>\u00a0will be an important feature to seek out.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One\u00a0leading\u00a0trend of application lifecycle management is that software and hardware are continuously converging. Smart devices are both hardware and software\u2014they cannot be distinguished as only one or the other\u2014and must be developed simultaneously.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ALM is used by software teams to produce applications and systems. These teams typically use agile development methodologies. Whereas Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is used in manufacturing industries to build hardware and physical systems. Historically, many of these teams have used a waterfall development methodology. The main difference between PLM and ALM lies is in what is being built. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Again,\u00a0as\u00a0products\u00a0advance, it\u00a0changes\u00a0the way in which they are created.\u00a0The best way to get ahead of this trend is to use\u00a0a\u00a0lifecycle management tool that\u00a0is\u00a0configurable\u00a0and\u00a0enables toolchain\u00a0integration. That way,\u00a0no matter the development methodology,\u00a0testing tools, bug-tracking software, etc., the platform can adapt to the required workflow regardless of what is being built.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jama Connect\u00a0does exactly that.\u00a0It is\u00a0a web-based application\u00a0that supports complex products with both hardware and software components. Jama Connect is a forward-thinking solution in that it\u00a0supports any development model and can conform to the workflow that makes most sense for the teams using it. With standard and custom API integrations and popular third-party integration hubs, teams can work in familiar tools and still ensure traceability throughout the development process.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n See how Jama Connect can improve your ALM process by downloading the solution overview<\/a>. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
Requirements Management<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Estimation and Planning<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Collaboration and Communication<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Source Code Management<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Testing and Quality Assurance<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Deployment or DevOps<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Version Control<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Ongoing Support and Maintenance<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Project and Portfolio Management<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Current and future trends of application lifecycle management<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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