ExecutiveBrief, an online technology management resource with 8,000 subscribers globally, has recently conducted its annual 2011 Software Development Trends Survey of approximately 300 senior-level business leaders and software development professionals. First started in 2009, this year`s online survey of current trends in software development industry was conducted from June 6 through June 30.

Sponsored by SoftServe, Inc., a leading global provider of proven high quality software development, testing and consulting, this year`s survey forecasts budget and hiring increases, combined with the top priority to develop new software and applications. Alongside with the indication of a decreased interest in cost and expense reduction, it confirms that software development professionals are very optimistic on their immediate future. Such a bullish outlook is a continuing trend, as proved by the last year’s report.

Apart from the promising prognosis, the survey results indicated key priorities and focus areas of the software development market. Here are several of the key findings from the 2011 survey:

• Seventy-nine percent (79%) of respondents indicated their software development budgets would increase in 2011; with nearly half indicating their budget is likely to grow greater than 10% as compared to last year. Only 5.2% believed their 2011 budget would decrease by 10% or more as compared to 2010.
• Hiring continues to be a priority with over half (54.3%) of all respondents indicating they plan to add permanent staff in the second half of 2011 and 2012. That is roughly the same response as in the 2010 survey.
• Survey data indicates early-market activity in SaaS/Cloud and mobile applications. The majority of respondents indicated business case planning, solution architecture, and implementation as their greatest challenges and need for assistance.
• Priority among respondents remains improving quality and user experience. This is consistent with last year’s survey and a sign of a growing and competitive software development marketplace.

Respondents were professionals either predominately involved in strategic business decisions with regard to software development or directly implementing those decisions: mainly, senior-level executives in software development markets and software development engineers. The types of organizations these business leaders and software professionals represent are independent software vendors, SaaS providers, enterprises (greater than 500 employees), small-to-medium enterprises (less than 500 employees), software development firms, and other organizations, whose core business is software development.

“The 2011 survey results are very encouraging and highly favorable for an active software development market, as well as the expectation of an improving business environment,” said Mary Brandon, VP of Marketing, SoftServe, Inc. “Taking into account that the findings represent the perspective of an active participant in the software development business, this optimistic trend appears to be even more significant and pronounced. In this respect we can speak about continued market stability with a growing emphasis placed on customers and users of applications, and SaaS/Cloud initiatives being an area to monitor in future surveys.”

About ExecutiveBrief

ExecutiveBrief is an online periodical for technology managers and business leaders. It provides quality original articles on emerging industry trends, software development methodologies, outsourcing, and project management. ExecutiveBrief recognizes the power that is in information – insights and analysis on emerging trends, best practices, and industry events — in order to fit, succeed, and compete in a fleeting technology world. It partners with leading industry experts to produce and publish useful information which is readily downloadable and available free to ExecutiveBrief subscribers. Find out more at http://www.executivebrief.com.
About SoftServe Inc.

SoftServe is a leading global provider of proven high quality software development, testing and consulting services. We are committed to bringing the best commercial software to independent software vendors and enterprises. We combine our unmatched experience with best practices delivering SaaS/Cloud, Mobility and SDLC innovative solutions. With an onshore/offshore delivery model, we collaborate with our customers helping them drive their business and differentiate themselves within their markets. SoftServe has successfully completed over 2,500 projects for over 150 global companies. Founded in 1993, SoftServe is headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida, with an award-winning development organization based in Ukraine and the Philippines.