The Future Of Software Development In 2022 and Early 2023
The world of software development is almost as intertwined as it is now with virtually the entirety of the business industry. We are living in a complex landscape, and this is the starting point for understanding it.
After overcoming a pandemic that fundamentally reshaped global society, we already find ourselves in the latter half of 2022. One of the most visible changes in the last two years is the extent to which we depend on digital infrastructure, driven by necessity. The major health crisis and the measures taken to contain its effects have caused major disruptions to the operations of development teams around the world. As a result, new methods of working and tools to support them.
The external factors landed on top of internal trends and needs that exist in the industry. As a result, the pandemic has not only opened up new approaches to software development but also fueled emerging trends.
Both external and internal factors completely influence the way a company handles software development. Now, with the outbreak seemingly under control, it looks like the dust is starting to settle and a new software development landscape is emerging before our eyes. The software development industry is changing rapidly. In 2022 and early 2023, we will shift to more outsourcing and artificial intelligence (AI) services. And even if it's not fully formed yet, the scenario already shows that software development in 2022 will be unlike anything you've seen before.
Forced Adaptation by Internal Movements
The software development industry is not just affected by what happens in the world around it. Some of the changes we see today come from the industry itself. In fact, some of them emerged before the pandemic, so we see how they solidify into the norm (or at least show themselves as heavyweights to become the default).
Perhaps the most prominent of these changes involves citizen developers. The recent proliferation of low-code/no-code platforms makes it easier for people with no coding experience to build their own solutions. This allows companies to train non-IT employees to work on core software that can benefit their day-to-day operations, helping them combat talent shortages. This also helps to increase the productivity of your organization.
According to a new report by analyst Gartner, companies think that a lack of talent is the biggest barrier to adopting 64% of new technologies. Companies are finding it difficult to hire across the entire IT industry, from computer infrastructure to security. Highly skilled and experienced developers are hard to find, which is why most tech companies are now investing in skills and retraining programs, using outsourcing services and even partnering with educational institutions to prepare the next generation of talent.
In this context, a low-code/no-code platform is very welcome, as it is a low-cost solution that can save more experienced developers from having to do more basic things. The same can be said about AI, which is now making its way into the developed world. Instead of competing with humans, AI developers can try to use algorithms to improve the work of programmers and make them more productive: in the context of software development, it is clear that AI performs human tasks and improves the work of programmers. In this way, AI infiltrates all development-related tasks, from running tests to writing the code itself.
As if all this were not enough, there is a constant evolution of programming languages, tools, and approaches that force developers to keep their training sharp.
External factors reshape software development
We mentioned the pandemic as the main driver of the software development industry, perhaps the most obvious external factor influencing the current scenario. We may still be a long way from understanding all the consequences of COVID-19, but the consequences are most evident for almost all areas of the workforce.
Remote work can be one of the most notable things. Employers may see long-term remote work as an option for their employees and businesses even after the pandemic. This is due to the positive impact on employee productivity and the reduction of real estate costs. Many companies have turned to telecommunications as a way to maintain some of their operations. After the government lifted COVID-related measures, companies found that large numbers of workers did not want to go back to the office. In addition, companies themselves are discovering the benefits that remote work can bring.
But that is not all. Other changes related to the pandemic include a shift in people's attitudes toward work, which is largely focused on personal aspirations. People fundamentally change the way they see their relationship with work, which is why they put pressure on companies to adapt to their desires and needs or to dedicate themselves to new activities. As a result, many companies may choose to implement a hybrid culture of telecommuting where employees can choose to leave the office on some days and work from home (WFH) on others.
As if these factors were not enough, there are other factors that influence the current scenario of software development. Geopolitical threats and uncertainties, and financial instability linked to old and new economic phenomena (inflation, cryptocurrencies) is also reshaping the landscape.
All these problems affect the software development industry today, forcing technology companies (and the businesses that depend on them) to be in a constant process of adaptation to better face the challenges that present themselves. Building resilience has become a must for software development companies, which means developers need to change their operations and strategies to become more agile.
The portal to better understand the sector
The complexity of the current scenario is what led us to write this series on software development. At TPP Software, we do our best to stay ahead of new trends and technologies, but we know that's not enough. We must also share our knowledge to contribute to a better software development industry.
That's why we started this series: we aim to shed some light on some of the most important topics affecting software development in 2022 and early 2023. In this way, we hope to help you navigate the complexities of a dynamic and ever-changing field. Treat this article as a gateway to a better understanding of the industry, which in turn will serve as a guide to taking advantage of what the software industry has to offer today.
