What is SaaS and what does it mean? SaaS stands for ‘software as a service. SaaS programs are cloud-based software, meaning anyone can access the program from any device that has an Internet connection. In many cases, a third-party software company maintains the servers, creates the code, and hosts the...
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Software development cost guide with man-day rate estimates
How much does software development cost? There's a good chance that you're here to find out what it would cost your company to work with Blocshop. So let's get straight to the numbers. The average Blocshop project lasts for three months, needs three full-time developers, and costs around $60,000. A...
How to Write Technical Documentation: Tips, Tools, and Explanations
What is Technical Documentation? Technical documentation is a catch-all term for writing that tells the end-user how to use your product, and what it can do. In relation to software engineering, technical documents can take many different forms. The goal of this type of writing is to explain everything the...
16 Web Application Ideas to Start a Business With
Has your well of creativity run a dry lately? Or maybe you're looking to take your business to the next level, but aren’t sure where to go? We’ve got a rundown of the facts you need to know for your next big hit -- a web application. What is a...
Sprint Reviews and Sprint Retrospectives: What’s the Difference?
When all the hard work of the current sprint is completed, it’s time to wrap up and prepare for the next one. Two processes that are beneficial to the team’s productivity and skill development are sprint reviews and sprint retrospectives. At first glance, these two official Scrum ceremonies look similar,...
Time and materials vs fixed-price: comparison of pricing models
How do time and materials and fixed-price contracts work? When we outsource a software development project, we need to know which billing agreement will best meet needs. We have the choice between two major types of billing agreements: Time and materials and fixed-price. Each model offers distinct advantages and disadvantages....
The guide to five scrum values
Why are scrum values crucial to successful scrum implementation? Back in 2016, the creators of scrum, Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, updated the Scrum Guide. They decided to add five values to the guide to help software development teams achieve their goals. While on their face these values may seem...
Scrum Release Planning & How to Make One
Software development in Agile is fluid and ever-changing. Without a road-map that ebbs and flows in tandem with the development process, teams can lose focus, get stuck, or face problems and delays. Consistent, clear organization is a staple of any successful project management team. When using Scrum in Agile, release...
What is scrum velocity and how do we calculate it?
Let’s begin by defining our terms. According to scrum.org, scrum is: “A framework within which people can address complex adaptive problems, while productively and creatively delivering products of the highest possible value.” When we talk about scrum velocity, we talk about the number of user story points completed in each...
8 scrum metrics to measure the effectiveness of your agile team
What are scrum metrics? By now most of us know the advantages of using agile for software development projects. Scrum helps agile teams organize their workflow. Scrum, according to scrumguides.org: is a lightweight framework that helps people, teams and organizations generate value through adaptive solutions for complex problems. Scrum, an...