The 7 elements that define the quality of an application

Almost every company developing custom software can claim to prioritize quality. However, not all of them have the standards and structure in place to truly deliver.
At Recursyve, it’s not just a nice-to-have — it’s our number one priority.

What allows us to say that one application is of better quality than another?
The answer comes in two parts: code quality and user experience quality.

Code quality is a well-documented topic, but from the perspective of an end user, it has little direct impact on their experience.

Here are the 7 pillars that define application quality according to Recursyve:

Fast: Because time is money.

App speed might seem obvious, but it should never be overlooked.
For instance, an internal application is often built to streamline processes and save employee time — time that can be reinvested into higher-value tasks.

Speed is just as important if the app is client-facing. In today’s fast-paced world, the last thing a customer wants is to waste time.
According to a study by uSamp, 59% of users have uninstalled an app because it was too slow.

From a marketing perspective, users expect a webpage to load in under 4 seconds — or they’ll leave.

Flexible: Because strong foundations matter.

Building custom software is much like building a house: you create a blueprint, pour the foundation, and progress step by step to the finishing touches.
But in software, you don’t always know how many floors or rooms you’ll need. You might think you know at first — until your needs evolve and you must adapt the application.

That’s why it’s important to start with solid foundations, so you can stay agile when new requirements emerge or surprises pop up.

Secure: Because protecting your data (and your clients’) is non-negotiable.

No company wants to be in the news because one of its systems was hacked. Unfortunately, data breaches are becoming increasingly common.
The same applies to confidential business data — you don’t want it falling into the hands of malicious competitors.

Security attention is no longer a luxury — it’s a must-have.
It’s never been more crucial to adhere to modern security standards and keep your technologies updated. A simple security patch can save you from a world of trouble.

Stable: Because you want to trust your tools.

When an app is built to save time or optimize a process, nothing is more frustrating than losing that time to bugs or crashes.

That’s why a robust, continuous quality assurance process is essential — so you don’t lose the benefits of going custom in the first place.

Modern Design: Because your app reflects your brand.

A custom-built application should reflect your company’s presence and personality.
This is especially true if it’s used externally — by suppliers or clients. The design becomes as important as, if not more than, your promotional materials. It’s a storefront.

A sleek, modern interface projects a sleek, modern company.

Intuitive: Because apps should be easy to use.

Do you enjoy reading instruction manuals before using a tool? Me neither. Same goes for apps.
The user experience should impose minimal cognitive load.

An intuitive application makes it easier to onboard employees, and clients will adopt your services with less friction.

Interoperable: Because it’s way better when everything talks to each other.

Whether it's an accounting system, calendar, or project management software, some tools are just too essential to replace.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel — but you can hook it up to an engine.

With custom software, duplicate data entry is a major pain point.
That’s why integrating external software through connectors greatly boosts your application’s contribution to your team’s productivity.