Top 10 Software Development Best Practices To Follow In 2025

Adopting up-to-date methods that streamline development and other core processes is essential for creating high-quality software.

The best software development practices ensure the engineering team uses the latest tools and frameworks to write clean, maintainable code for high-performing applications.

This guide provides practical insights for starting a new software project. It can help you optimize workflows, reduce errors, and improve overall development efficiency.

Key Takeaways

• The rise of artificial intelligence is playing a significant role in streamlining software development processes and improving code quality.
• Various programming languages are emerging to assist with developing software that allows for more secure coding practices.
• Software development teams increasingly conduct regular code reviews, aligning projects with software development standards.
• A development process focused on continuous improvement and knowledge sharing maximizes team collaboration and improves software quality.
• Developing applications that allow new features requires a flexible software architecture that adapts to the project’s requirements.

Let’s explore how software developers adopt industry best practices to ensure the cost of software development brings clients the best value for their money.

Why Are Software Development Best Practices Important?

Implementing software development best practices allows teams to identify bottlenecks, maintain software code structure, and respond to requests.

Here are some examples of how software development best practices benefit projects:

• Best practices help establish the foundations of a development project and guide the team toward its successful completion.
• Regular code reviews and the application of coding conventions can streamline the software engineering process and ensure consistent performance.
• Coding standards can also be combined with ongoing quality assurance that delivers test coverage through development.
• Applying a combination of best practices for communication, project management, and other aspects ensures projects are delivered without overruns.
• With cyberattacks on the rise, applying the latest protocols can directly address concerns by building security from the ground up and protecting users.

When hiring a custom software development partner, verify that they have implemented the best practices to accelerate production.

Explore cutting-edge technology solutions from MyDevTeam.

Top 10 Software Development Best Practices To Follow In 2025

Adhering to development best practices confers the same advantages, whether creating custom software for startups or large-scale industry applications.

These ten most popular development best practices can help developers produce superior software products.

10. Implement Comprehensive Documentation

Creating applications that meet expectations involves various processes outlined in a detailed software development plan that keeps the team on the same page.

These must be fully supported by comprehensive documentation that allows multiple developers to remain aligned throughout the development process.

It begins with detailed documentation of the project’s scope, covering the required features, back-end systems, and how these facilitate the user experience.

Documentation is also required for protocols for implementing code, code reviews, and deployment processes to meet milestones.

Additional information covering naming conventions and revisions is also included to help teams collaborate efficiently throughout the process.

By creating robust documentation, software development providers can effectively track progress and react to challenges as they arise.

9. Adhere To The Latest Coding Standards

Software development best practices are constantly updated to ensure optimal development and alignment with the latest project coding standards.

These standards represent a set of essential guidelines designed to keep code reviews clear, readable, and focused on maintaining quality.

Examples of popular coding standards developers adhere to include PEP 8 for Python, Microsoft’s C# coding standards, and Java Style Guide from Google.

Most developers adjust their coding approach based on the project’s requirements to ensure clients receive high-quality software and applications.

This criteria is why many businesses opt for software development outsourcing, partnering with teams that are up to date on the latest coding standards.

8. Use A Version Control System

Performance optimization requires frequent code reviews, and software engineering teams apply version control systems to streamline this process.

Popular version control systems, such as GitHub and Bitbucket, are commonly adopted in the development community to perform this task.

Such tools are particularly important for projects with multiple developers working on the same task, preventing confusion.

Version control tools allow developers to quickly revert to previous versions in the event of errors without disrupting the overall process.

They also provide the tools for addressing redundant commits and allow software developers to maintain clear and readable code.

Likewise, version control ensures bugs can be addressed promptly without impacting the team’s ability to integrate new features.

Version control systems also allow developers to strategically merge any changes without creating conflicts and include code comments for other developers.

Further reading: Everything you need to know about software development team structure.

7. Perform Frequent Code Reviews

Code reviews and refactoring can also improve software quality to identify issues and reduce technical debt.

Once the development team begins writing code for a project, reviews can be scheduled throughout the software development life cycle.

These reviews help programmers to refine their approach and verify that the latest coding standards are being applied.

Using a professional software development team ensures that these code reviews are implemented when different programming languages are used.

The result is polished code that enhances readability and maintainability, creating a well-structured codebase with optimal clarity and performance.

It also emphasizes continuous learning and the evolution of code readability, aligned with emerging best practices as newer tools become available.

6. Set Up Automated Testing Processes

While there are several types of software development, robust and frequent testing is essential for all projects to ensure the highest possible standards.

This practice means delivering quality assurance throughout the life cycle, including integration tests, unit tests, and other automated testing processes.

Developers write unit tests for small or modular pieces of code to check specific functionalities and ensure they function correctly and efficiently.

Integration tests are then applied to verify that these modular elements interact as they should, while functional tests verify output actions.

Many development teams use automated testing tools to streamline the process of executing test scripts in a controlled environment.

This approach is critical for continuous integration and delivery, scaling the quality assurance process without increasing extra manpower.

Partnering with a reliable team ensures the latest quality assurance and testing trends are implemented throughout the development process.

5. Select Optimized Application Frameworks

Various software development projects require the best application frameworks to perform to the high standards clients demand.

Software development best practices cover this approach to frameworks in various ways, depending on the application’s nature.

Depending on the software’s specific requirements, web application frameworks can be built around AngularJS, Django, React, or Laravel.

Conversely, mobile application development may utilize React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin frameworks to ensure cross-platform compatibility.

Choosing the appropriate framework for a given project helps optimize client costs by allowing more efficient and reliable software development.

This efficiency is also accomplished by integrating reusable components, complementing the tools that help streamline tedious tasks.

Managing database changes and updating file naming conventions are examples of how the proper application framework can help with project development.

4. Integrate Communication & Collaboration Tools

With many applications developed through outsourcing, integrating systems for communication and collaboration are needed to keep everyone aligned.

This coordination is particularly important when working on a project with continuous deployment, as it may affect how the source code changes over time.

Communication between internal development team members, project managers, and clients can be streamlined through various tools.

When communicating with clients, tools like Slack, MS Teams, and Zoom allow for regularly scheduled meetings and video conferences.

These can be augmented with visual collaboration tools that adopt an approach similar to Kanban Boards, clarifying how processes interact clearly.

Trello, Asana, and Miro are some examples of tools that teams can use to clarify systems and design patterns without increasing development time.

Clients who partner with a dedicated software development team can access these tools throughout a project and ensure complete alignment.

3. Use Continuous Integration & Continuous Deployment

Another common best practice for software development is implementing continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD).

This strategy enables a robust and dynamic project development pipeline that blends cutting-edge tools, automation, and methodologies.

It begins with regularly integrating software code to ensure everything is up to date and ready for the team to run unit tests and other reviews.

This process allows for the development of increasingly complex applications with minimal workflow disruption and rapid implementation based on user feedback.

Since the process is largely automated, it can be updated based on the team’s requirements at any point in the project’s development.

Implementing continuous integration and deployment is a significant benefit of outsourcing software development for businesses looking to create applications.

2. Capitalize On AI Assistance

Artificial intelligence is expanding into all aspects of life, and software development best practices are no exception to this trend.

Many developers are integrating various AI tools to fuel innovation across the software development life cycle and drive positive results.

AI-driven code completion tools like GitHub Copilot deliver real-time code suggestions that improve code quality and productivity.

It can instantly generate lines and blocks of code, saving valuable time and money when creating application algorithms and functions.

Copilot is compatible with multiple programming languages and can be quickly aligned with an integrated development environment, such as Visual Studio Code.

In addition to code generation, AI tools are available to improve bug detection and automate testing, freeing up developers’ time to focus on new features.

Developers seeking AI assistance on various software projects are also adopting Cody, Amazon CodeWhisperer, and Tabnine.

Once a project hits the market, AI remains a powerful tool for supporting the ongoing implementation of new features and improving the user experience.

AI remains a vital tool for software development best practices as its transformative impact on the industry continues to evolve.

1. Choose The Right Methodology

An application can be built through various software development methodologies that manage production and keep teams aligned.

While the Waterfall methodology is ideal for simple projects, more complex applications are typically developed using the Agile methodology.

This approach’s DNA is flexible, allowing for iterative development and ongoing updates and refinements based on the client’s expectations.

Agile’s organic and dynamic mindset is also optimal for projects that regularly introduce new features compared to the linear and structured Waterfall method.

It is also built on a foundation of continuous feedback and flexibility, which facilitates client demands as new business goals take priority.

Agile’s core features include many of the core best practices outlined above, including code reviews, robust documentation, and comprehensive test coverage.

Business leaders can consult with a development company to ensure that the project uses the right methodology for their software.

Read more: Portfolio and case studies from MyDevTeam.

Apply The Best Software Development Practices With MyDevTeam

MyDevTeam consistently applies the industry’s best practices when developing custom software for clients across all major industries.

Here are some best practices the team utilizes when creating applications:

• Implementing the latest technological innovations to build software that drives business growth and delivers a competitive edge.

• Applying the current coding practices and development processes to create dynamic user experiences.
• Harnessing the power of open-source software to speed up development timelines without compromising on quality.
• Approaching the process with a flexible methodology to ensure successful deployment, continuous integration, and address security vulnerabilities.
• Delivering reliable cross-platform application development, ensuring clients can reach users on desktop computers and mobile devices.

By following the latest software development trends, our clients can focus on delivering other business priorities that improve their bottom line.

Summary

Developers must follow best practices to maintain efficiency as the software industry adapts to new technologies and evolving project demands.

Adopting current methodologies and technologies ensures that applications meet project requirements, remain competitive, and scale effectively as needs change.

Partnering with a dedicated team helps integrate software development best practices throughout the entire life cycle, reducing errors, improving collaboration, and delivering reliable, high-performing solutions.