What is System Development? A Beginner's Guide for Non-IT Professionals

What Exactly is System Development?

Upon hearing "system development," you might imagine complex programming code or mechanical tasks. However, the essence is very simple. System development is the "mechanism building" to streamline business operations or create new services for companies.

In a familiar example, it is similar to building a custom home. It's not just about constructing a building; it involves designing kitchen positions and storage sizes according to the residents' lifestyles, actually constructing it, and performing maintenance after completion. Similarly, system development is the process of designing, constructing, and operating optimal digital tools according to corporate challenges.

This knowledge is essential for everyone outside the IT department. Why? Because whether you have knowledge of system development significantly changes the success probability of projects in internal business efficiency improvements or new ventures.

1. Let's Try Comparing to Cooking: The Big Picture of System Development

To understand the flow of system development, it is easier to compare it to the process of serving food at a restaurant.

Requirements Definition is "Taking Orders"

First, we ask customers what they want to eat, right? In system development, we first listen to "what functions are needed" and "who will use it." If this is wrong, it's the same as serving a dish the customer doesn't want, resulting in a system that goes unused.

Design is "Recipe Creation"

Once the order is decided, the chef thinks about how to make it. What ingredients to use, what steps to follow. In the system, we decide "which technology to use" and "how to manage data".

Implementation is "Cooking"

We actually cook the dish according to the recipe. In the system, programmers write code to build functions.

Testing is "Tasting"

We eat the finished dish and taste it. In the system, we check if there are bugs (defects) and if it works as expected.

Thus, system development is not just technical work, but strongly has the side of a service industry making customer requests tangible.

2. Who Makes It? Major Roles and Job Titles

Several specialized job titles are involved in system development. It may be easier to understand by thinking of an organizational chart.

System Engineer (SE): The One Who Draws Blueprints

SEs listen to customer requirements and create the overall system blueprint. In construction, they are like "architects." They require technical knowledge as well as communication skills to understand customer business content.

Programmer: The One Who Actually Builds

Based on the blueprint written by the SE, they actually write the language (code) the computer understands to build the system. Their role is close to carpenters or craftsmen.

Project Manager (PM): The Management Role

They manage the entire project to finish within budget and on schedule. They are the team leaders responsible for schedule adjustments and risk management.

※ In small-scale development, SEs and programmers often hold dual roles.

3. Development Flow: Explaining 6 Stages

System development generally proceeds in 6 steps. Let's confirm what happens in each stage.

① Requirements Definition & ② Design

First, clarify "what to make." This is the most important part. Simply wanting to "start making something" right away is a no-go. If the purpose blurs, major corrections will be needed later, and costs will balloon.

③ Programming & ④ Testing

Actually make the system and try running it. During testing, we check if the system breaks even when abnormal operations are performed.

⑤ Release & ⑥ Operations/Maintenance

Start operation in the production environment. The release is not the goal; that is the start. Regular maintenance and responses to specification changes are required.

Viewed as Before/After, manual tasks become automated, and errors are drastically reduced.

4. Business Systems vs. Information Systems

There are two main types of systems. This helps in judging which system is needed for your own company.

Business Systems (The Company Engine)

Systems supporting business directly linked to company revenue, such as sales management, inventory management, and production management. If this stops, sales stop, so stability is the top priority.

Information Systems (The Company Interior)

Systems supporting internal communication and administrative efficiency, such as internal email, schedule sharing, and bulletin boards. Even if they stop, business rarely halts completely, but it affects ease of work.

For executive layers, the priority should be preparing "Business Systems" first. This is because solidifying the revenue base is the top priority.

5. In-house or Outsourcing: Which Should You Choose?

When creating a system, there is a choice between "making it in-house (in-house)" or "asking externally (outsourcing)."

Cases Suitable for In-house

It is suitable when it is core technology and you want to accumulate know-how internally. Also, if detailed specification changes occur frequently, an internal team can respond more flexibly.

Cases Suitable for Outsourcing

It is suitable when highly specialized technology is needed or internal resources are insufficient. As mentioned in the reference article, options expand including offshore development. To concentrate resources on "company strengths", it is wise to outsource non-core areas.

Judge by the balance of cost, speed, and quality, not just cost.

Frequently Asked Questions Q&A

We answer common questions from non-IT staff regarding system development.

Q1. How much does it cost?

A. It varies widely. Simple tools cost hundreds of thousands of yen, while core systems can reach tens of millions of yen. It is realistic to decide a "budget range" first and then adjust requirements.

Q2. What to watch out for to avoid failure?

A. Spending time on "Requirements Definition". If you change your mind to "actually I want this" after starting to build, costs skyrocket. Be sure to conduct initial consensus building carefully.

Q3. What can the Sales Department do during development?

A. Feedback from the user perspective. Participating in tests to check "is it really easy to use on site" is the most valuable contribution.

Where to Start? Concrete First Step

If you are interested in system development, first create a "List of Business Pain Points".

Collect voices like "many Excel input errors," "approvals take time," or "data doesn't gather." These are the seeds of issues to be systematized. Instead of consulting a vendor immediately, organizing internal issues first allows you to meet the optimal solution.

Glossary: Just Knowing These Is Enough

Finally, we explain important terms usable in conversation.

• Requirements Definition: The stage of deciding what to realize with the system.
• Bug: Program defects or mistakes.
• Release: Making the system public and starting use.
• UI/UX: Screen appearance (UI) and usability (UX).
• Deadline: The deadline to complete and deliver the system.
• Maintenance: Post-release maintenance and support.
• Scrum: A type of agile development. A method repeated in short cycles.
• Cloud: A server environment accessed via the internet.

Knowing the meaning of these words alone will make communication with the development team smoother. System development is not magic, but a logical process following proper steps. Please put this knowledge to use for promoting your company's DX.