Pragmatic Software Development
We develop software iteratively, test-driven, and in close collaboration with our clients. Small, working results always take precedence over comprehensive plans — pragmatic, efficient, and adaptable.
Software development is an inherently uncertain endeavour. Requirements change, technologies evolve, and even the best specifications leave room for interpretation. Pragmatic software development addresses this reality by placing working software above exhaustive documentation, and adapting to change rather than rigidly following a plan.
At Parlant GmbH, pragmatism is not an excuse for carelessness — it is a deliberate methodology. We develop in short cycles, test continuously, and deliver results regularly. Every iteration brings feedback, and every feedback loop sharpens the product.
What Makes Our Approach Pragmatic?
- Small, working increments. We do not disappear into months of development. Every feature is delivered in a usable state, demonstrated, and reviewed. This keeps progress visible and course corrections inexpensive.
- Tests before code. We write automated tests before the implementation. This is not overhead — it is design. Good tests force clear interfaces and well-understood behaviour.
- Close collaboration. We work alongside your teams, not next door. Extreme Programming (XP) techniques like pair programming and continuous feedback are central to how we deliver.
- Clear communication. Architecture decisions, trade-offs, and risks are communicated openly. If something does not work, we say so — and propose alternatives.
- Sustainable pace. Crunch does not produce quality software. We work at a pace that maintains attention to detail over the entire project duration.
When Does Pragmatic Development Make Sense?
This approach is particularly effective when:
- Requirements are still being discovered or are likely to change.
- Time-to-market matters more than feature completeness.
- The team needs to learn and adapt alongside the product.
- Long-term maintainability is as important as the initial delivery.
Conversely, if your requirements are fixed and unlikely to change, a more traditional approach may be more appropriate. We advise honestly on which method fits your situation.
Practical Application
Our work on Formfix — a digital forms platform for the public sector — is a textbook example of pragmatic development. The requirements evolve as the platform gains users, and the architecture must accommodate new form types, validation rules, and processing workflows without breaking existing functionality. Short cycles, comprehensive tests, and direct client communication make this possible.