How to Become an Applications Development Director

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Step 1: Understand the job description and responsibilities of an Applications Development Director

What does an Applications Development Director do?

AN Applications Development Director directs all activities and develops policies and procedures related to the design, analysis, testing, coding, and implementation of applications. Enhances operations by establishing metrics, analyzing processes, and implementing standard methodologies, tools, and best practices to ensure high-quality deliverables. Being an Applications Development Director oversees review of development proposals, projects, timelines, resources, and costs. Develops feedback processes for peer reviews, code reviews, and design reviews. Additionally, Applications Development Director establishes a performance culture by incorporating individual and team coaching and mentoring to achieve excellence. May develop and manage outsourcing budgets, vendor relationships, or off-shore resources. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. The Applications Development Director manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. To be an Applications Development Director typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

Application development managers keep businesses running smoothly by planning, coordinating and supervising all activities related to an organization’s software applications.

Enrolling in a bachelor’s degree in business administration program with a specialization in computer information systems (CIS) can be the first step to a successful application development manager career.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that overall employment of computer software engineers and computer programmers, the category that includes application development managers, is expected to be very strong in coming years.

Demand for application development managers will increase as electronic data processing systems used in business, finance, healthcare, government and other settings become more complex.

As the need for computer software and specialty applications grows, the demand for application development managers should increase.