How the Software Development Landscape Will Change in 2023

This article is part of a series on software development, where we examine the current state of the development industry. We aim to discuss new paradigms, trends, and tools, as well as share recommendations and suggestions for improving operations and approaches to software development to better meet current and future demands.
As with almost all fields of activity, the software development industry has undergone numerous changes since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The massive healthcare crisis and measures to contain its effects caused significant disruptions in software development teams worldwide. The result? New ways of working and new tools to support them.

External factors overlapped with internal processes, tools, and requirements for software development that were already taking shape in the tech sector. Thus, the pandemic not only introduced new approaches to software development but also accelerated trends that were already emerging in the software development lifecycle.
Both external and internal factors have completely changed how companies approach software development and technology in general. Now that the pandemic seems under control, the dust is beginning to settle, and a new software development landscape is emerging before our eyes. And even if the focus is not yet fully defined, it is already clear that software development in 2024 will be unlike anything we have seen before.
Here are some points to keep in mind.

External Factors Affecting Software Development

We have already mentioned the pandemic as a major factor capable of disrupting the software development industry—likely the most obvious external factor influencing today's landscape. We may still be far from understanding all the consequences of COVID-19, but the most obvious ones for almost all industries relate to the workforce and its capabilities.
Remote work is perhaps one of the most notable. With "stay-at-home" orders and social distancing measures becoming the usual way to combat the pandemic, almost all businesses turned to remote work to preserve some (or many) of their operations and processes. After governments lifted COVID-related measures, companies found that a significant number of employees did not want to return to the office. Moreover, companies themselves discovered the benefits of remote work.

But that's not all. Among other pandemic-related changes are a shift in people's attitude toward work, mainly focused on personal aspirations, and a talent shortage exacerbated by the "Great Resignation." Essentially, people have changed their relationship with work, so they either push companies to adapt to their desires and needs or dedicate themselves to new activities.
As if these factors weren't enough, there are other elements influencing the current software development context. Geopolitical threats and uncertainty (exemplified by Russia's war in Ukraine, affecting a country that hosts some of the world's largest development centers), as well as financial instability tied to both old and new economic phenomena (inflation, cryptocurrencies), are also reshaping the landscape.

All these challenges impact the modern software development sector, forcing tech companies (and the businesses that depend on them) to constantly adapt in order to better withstand unforeseen disruptions—both major and minor—that occur every day. Building resilience to external shocks has become a must for every organization that uses software development processes, meaning development companies must change their operations and strategies, and perhaps create new ones, to become more agile.

Internal Forces Driving Adaptation

The software development industry is not only affected by what happens in the outside world. Some of the changes we see today are occurring within the industry itself. Moreover, some of them emerged before the pandemic, and now we are witnessing them becoming established as standards (or at least as strong contenders to become standards).
Perhaps the most notable of these changes involves citizen developers. The recent proliferation of low-code/no-code platforms allows people without coding experience to easily create their own solutions. This enables companies to train non-IT employees to work with basic software, which can benefit their daily activities while also helping to address the talent shortage.

And speaking of which: the talent shortage has been affecting the software industry for years, and it doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon. Highly skilled and experienced developers are very hard to find, so most tech companies today are investing in upskilling and reskilling programs, using outsourcing, and even partnering with educational institutions to train the next generation of tech professionals.
In this context, low-code/no-code platforms deserve praise because they represent a low-cost solution that frees more experienced developers from having to deal with simpler tasks. The same can be said for artificial intelligence, which is now making its way into the development world. AI-powered assistants are starting to become commonplace, and although their performance is still limited, it improves significantly each month. Thus, AI is infiltrating every development-related task—from running tests to writing the code itself.

Furthermore, new phenomena like DevRel are emerging—a practice aimed at improving interaction with end users when they are developers themselves. Building applications for a highly technical audience has always been challenging, so many companies are now focusing on what can be improved in this process. Thus, DevRel is a kind of PR effort to improve contact with developers and advocate for them (even enlisting some as allies).
As if all this weren't enough, there is the endless evolution of programming languages, tools, and approaches, which obliges developers to constantly upgrade their skills, or else they risk losing the ability to work in today's highly competitive world. There are many internal factors affecting software development in 2024, so both companies and software developers face serious challenges.

The Path to a Better Understanding of the Industry

The complexity of the current landscape is what prompted us to write this series of articles on software development. At ESK Solutions, we do our best to stay up to date with new trends and technologies, but we know that's not enough. We also need to share our knowledge to contribute to the growth of the software development industry.
That is why we are starting this series of articles: we want to shed light on some of the most relevant topics affecting software development in 2024. We hope to help you navigate the intricacies of an industry that is constantly changing and moving. Consider this series as a pass to a better understanding of the industry, which in turn will serve as a guide to action to take advantage of all the benefits that the modern software industry has to offer.