"Design the Coat to Fit Your Taste" — How a Strong SDLC Leads to Better Software Outcomes

At Solssa Solutions, we believe that every business deserves software that fits perfectly — not a one-size-fits-all compromise. As our founder, John Mwacharo of Solssa Africa, often says, "design the coat to fit your taste." In this article, I explore why following the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is essential for building solutions that are truly aligned with a company's unique needs, and why rushing toward ready-made SaaS products can sometimes do more harm than good. One common practice I respectfully disagree with is the tendency for many companies to shortcut the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Rather than investing the necessary time in requirements gathering, careful planning, thoughtful design, and continuous iteration, organizations often rush to adopt ready-made SaaS solutions. While SaaS platforms offer the advantage of speed, they frequently lead to a disconnect between the software’s capabilities and the business’s actual operational needs. When companies neglect the SDLC — particularly the foundational stages of requirements analysis and system design — they expose themselves to significant risks, such as: Paying for unnecessary features that add no real value. Adapting critical workflows to fit the software, rather than tailoring the software to support their workflows. Encountering scalability issues or integration challenges as they expand. A disciplined, SDLC-driven approach, although slower at the outset, results in software that is better aligned with organizational goals, more scalable, easier to maintain, and ultimately more cost-effective over the long term. In an era where flexibility and precision are competitive advantages, investing in a thorough development process is not a luxury — it is a strategic necessity.

Apr 27, 2025 - 11:25

"Design the Coat to Fit Your Taste" — How a Strong SDLC Leads to Better Software Outcomes

At Solssa Solutions, we believe that every business deserves software that fits perfectly — not a one-size-fits-all compromise. As our founder, John Mwacharo of Solssa Africa, often says, "design the coat to fit your taste." In this article, I explore why following the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is essential for building solutions that are truly aligned with a company's unique needs, and why rushing toward ready-made SaaS products can sometimes do more harm than good.

One common practice I respectfully disagree with is the tendency for many companies to shortcut the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Rather than investing the necessary time in requirements gathering, careful planning, thoughtful design, and continuous iteration, organizations often rush to adopt ready-made SaaS solutions.
While SaaS platforms offer the advantage of speed, they frequently lead to a disconnect between the software’s capabilities and the business’s actual operational needs.

When companies neglect the SDLC — particularly the foundational stages of requirements analysis and system design — they expose themselves to significant risks, such as:

Paying for unnecessary features that add no real value.

Adapting critical workflows to fit the software, rather than tailoring the software to support their workflows.

Encountering scalability issues or integration challenges as they expand.

A disciplined, SDLC-driven approach, although slower at the outset, results in software that is better aligned with organizational goals, more scalable, easier to maintain, and ultimately more cost-effective over the long term. In an era where flexibility and precision are competitive advantages, investing in a thorough development process is not a luxury — it is a strategic necessity.