The Complete Guide to Conducting a Software Development Audit

Conducting a software development audit is critical for maintaining the effectiveness, safety and compliance of a company’s overall digital environment. However, software audits go beyond assessing essentials to examine the quality, security and alignment with industry standards. But what does this procedure involve, and what benefits can it bring to your organization in the long term?

This article outlines how a software audit is performed: you will learn about how to audit software, its benefits, the timing for such an audit, key audit assessment criteria and the types of audits available.

A software audit is a detailed evaluation of software systems and applications where aspects such as performance, security and compliance issues are examined. 

This process is typically overseen by a software auditor whose role is to assess different elements of the software architecture and software development practices to ensure the software is well-designed, easily maintained and supportive of business objectives. A proper audit will not only point out weaknesses and potential issues but also highlight potential threats and ensure that software can evolve smoothly.

Why should businesses prioritize a software audit? Here are several critical benefits that can directly impact performance and costs:

• Enhanced security

  Software auditing is key to identifying security risks, including outdated libraries or potential access vulnerabilities. With security being a significant concern, especially for industries handling sensitive data, audits serve as preventive measures to strengthen overall security frameworks.

  For industries subject to regulation, it is essential to have regulatory compliance audits to bring systems up to the current quality standards. For instance, healthcare and finance-related businesses operate under an obligation to conduct routine audits to safeguard data and privacy, avoiding penalties, legal issues or lawsuits.

• Performance optimization

  Conducting a software quality audit can help identify performance bottlenecks. Whether issues arise from inefficient code or outdated architecture, an audit can suggest improvements, making the system faster and more reliable.

• Cost efficiency

  The software audit process can uncover issues that, if left unresolved, might result in costly downtimes or repairs. Regular auditing allows for preventative maintenance, helping organizations avoid these future expenses.

• Easy onboarding

  Audited code not only benefits existing team members but also positively influences the onboarding process for new members. With clean and documented code, new team members adapt much more quickly and effectively, reducing resources required for training, time and cost.

For a software system audit, timing is crucial as it determines the relevance and effectiveness of the findings. While some organizations perform audits once a year as a routine, others conduct audits only at key events in the software development lifecycle.

In most cases, the ideal timing aligns with critical moments in development, integration or compliance, helping to keep software resilient, secure and efficient. 

Here are several scenarios when a software audit program can bring the most value:

• 1. Before major updates

  Before implementing significant updates or feature releases, conducting a software development process audit can reveal underlying issues — such as outdated dependencies or security vulnerabilities — that may interfere with a smooth rollout.

  By addressing these issues in advance, teams reduce the likelihood of post-update complications, performance problems or the need for emergency fixes. An audit before a major update also provides a clear baseline, enabling better measurement of the update’s effectiveness.

• 2. After mergers or acquisitions

  Integrating software systems from different organizations introduces unique risks. Differences in architecture, coding standards and security practices can lead to compatibility issues or vulnerabilities. An audit identifies these potential risks early, which makes it easier to unify systems, align them with the organization’s standards and avoid disruptions. This approach is particularly useful in the early post-merger phase, allowing a proactive resolution of compatibility and quality concerns.

• 3. In compliance with regulatory changes

  It is clear that industries — like finance, healthcare and retailing — experience a regular shift in the regulatory requirements that affect them. This situation arises when new laws are passed or current legislation is modified so businesses need to validate that their software complies with these regulations, particularly in regard to protection of personal data, cyber security and accessibility.

  A compliance audit helps determine whether software complies with legal requirements and prescribed changes have carried them out in their software. Therefore, compliance audits help businesses mitigate legal repercussions and compliance gaps.

• 4. After significant codebase changes

  After any major changes — be it in the codebase structure, the framework in which the software is organized or modifying the program for scalability — an audit of the software program has to be done. Software changes performed to improve the software design can sometimes be a source of errors and defective code, or they can create inconsistencies in the code. By auditing the system at this stage, teams can ensure modifications support stability, maintainability and alignment with overall software project goals.

• 5. In response to performance issues

  If software has been experiencing performance bottlenecks, latency issues or increased error rates, a targeted audit can diagnose the root causes. Common sources of performance problems include inefficient code, server overloads and outdated libraries. An audit helps teams pinpoint and address these issues, ultimately enhancing the user experience and system efficiency.

• 6. Prior to scaling or expanding usage

  Before scaling a system to handle a larger user base or launching it in new markets, an audit evaluates its readiness for increased demand. This may include examining load-handling capabilities, data management processes and system scalability. By preparing the software for higher usage, companies can minimize disruptions, provide a smooth experience to users and optimize resource allocation.

• 7. When introducing new integrations

  Adding third-party integrations, such as payment gateways, CRM tools or data analytics platforms, presents both opportunities and risks. Each integration can affect system performance, security and compatibility. Conducting a software audit before implementing new integrations helps to verify compatibility and avoid conflicts, ensuring the integrations enhance functionality without compromising existing system integrity.

• 8. When changing the project team

  It’s important to conduct a code audit when the product owner changes the project team and needs to assess the current state of the product plus its code. It allows the incoming team to understand better existing structures and dependencies in the software and reduce the time needed to get them up to speed.

Understanding the two types of software audits helps tailor the process to meet specific needs.

• Static software audit

  This process of software checkup is about analyzing both code and documentation without any programs. This type of audit focuses on checking structure, syntax and adherence to industry standards and best practices. They are useful for detecting security vulnerabilities, structural issues and code inconsistencies within a software development project.

• Dynamic software audit

  In contrast, dynamic software reviews involve running software in real-time and in a controlled environment to understand its behavior and software performance. This audit helps assess the stability of the system, resource use and overall software responsiveness under different conditions. These audits are vital for uncovering runtime errors, performance bottlenecks and potential security vulnerabilities, and they show the readiness of the software for production.

A comprehensive software audit requires a detailed software audit checklist to ensure all critical areas are thoroughly evaluated. Below is a breakdown of essential criteria for a successful software audit, covering everything from tooling to roadmap considerations, which will provide your team with actionable insights for long-term improvement.

• Tooling

  Understanding software tools and the development environment are two elements that are usually measured through productivity and efficiency assessments. This assessment examines whether current tools like code editors, integrated development environments and even collaborative tools are still relevant and useful.

  Outdated or unsuitable development tools for the system can hinder development, increase mistakes and lead to difficulty in collaboration. An evaluation should pinpoint the shortcomings that can be addressed with the use of more sophisticated tools that can help enhance the process of workflow, automation or testing. This ultimately contributes to a more streamlined and productive development process.

• Design patterns & SOLID principles

  Design patterns and SOLID principles stand as the cornerstone in achieving scalable and maintainable software. These design standards, when adhered to, enable the software to retain its flexibility, modularity and comprehensibility.

  In the case of software audit, it is vital to check if the architecture of the system includes appropriate patterns, such as MVC or the Singleton pattern, and sticks to SOLID principles (five design rules that prevent common software design issues). These systems, which emphasize best practices, are less likely to face adverse issues in the future. The practice makes such systems easier to alter or extend in the future without degrading the overall quality of the code.

• Tests

  Testing is the backbone of a stable software environment. A robust software audit evaluates the scope, quality and effectiveness of testing procedures, looking into whether comprehensive unit, integration and regression tests are in place.

  Each type of test serves a purpose: unit tests verify individual components, integration tests ensure modules work together and regression tests catch errors from recent changes. An audit may also assess the extent of test coverage and the use of automated testing tools as these play a crucial role in detecting and addressing issues early in the development cycle.

• Development documentation

  Good documentation is essential for consistent software quality and software product, enabling smooth onboarding, clear communication and easy knowledge transfer. During an audit, developer documentation is reviewed for clarity, completeness and accessibility.

  Effective documentation details everything from setup instructions to complex functions and workflows, which reduces the need for constant assistance from seasoned developers. An audit should confirm that the documentation is updated regularly to reflect recent changes, ensuring it remains a valuable resource for current and future developers from your internal team.

• Revisioning

  Effective revisioning practices contribute to system stability, traceability and accountability. An audit should examine the system’s version control practices. This ensures the team follows best practices for committing, tagging and branching code.

  Proper versioning also includes archiving previous versions correctly. This is because it enables developers to track changes, understand past modifications and restore previous versions if needed. This process minimizes risks during updates or rollbacks, helping maintain software integrity over time.

• Code quality

  Code quality impacts every aspect of software, from readability to performance. During a software audit, code quality is evaluated based on consistency in case style, naming conventions, indentation and overall readability. Well-structured, readable code reduces misunderstandings, makes debugging easier and allows for smoother collaboration across teams. A focus on code quality ensures even new developers can quickly adapt, identify errors and make improvements without compromising the system’s structure or functionality.

• Security

  Security is a paramount consideration in any software audit, as vulnerabilities can lead to severe financial and reputational damage. A security audit examines multiple aspects, including authentication protocols, password policies, data encryption standards and access controls.

  In addition, a code review for quality concerns related to security, such as vulnerable dependencies or improper handling of sensitive data, can help prevent potential breaches. Ensuring robust security measures and following industry standards helps keep software safe from unauthorized access and protects valuable data.

• Roadmap & maintainability concerns

  An effective software roadmap and maintainability plan are crucial for the system’s future. This audit section looks at whether the software has a strategic roadmap, detailing planned updates, feature expansions and compatibility improvements. It also assesses maintainability concerns, such as the ease of modifying or scaling the software.

  Systems with a clear roadmap are better equipped to adapt to future needs and reduce technical debt. Without a strategic direction, software can become outdated, difficult to modify and costly to manage over time.

The final stage of an audit is the software audit report which is a detailed document that includes all the audit findings, highlights strengths and identifies areas for improvement. This report does more than evaluates the status quo of the software. It forms a basis for teams as they look for ways to deal with problems in the most efficient manner.

Such a report should be as descriptive as it is useful. For example, it should be systematic, containing detailed information depending on the scope of the report, such as security, performance, code quality and compliance, all of which are typically prioritized in such reports. For each section, the report details both observed strengths and weaknesses, outlining specific instances where the software meets or falls short of industry standards. Clear examples and supporting data, such as metrics on performance bottlenecks or security risks, are essential as they help teams visualize and understand the issues at hand.

Beyond identifying issues, a valuable audit report suggests concrete steps for remediation and improvement. These recommendations are prioritized based on severity and impact, allowing development teams to tackle high-priority items first, such as critical security vulnerabilities or significant performance lags.

The audit of the software development process is of great assistance to your organization as it improves security, performance and compliance while helping avoid issues that are expensive to sort out later on. Continuous audits provide details about what areas require enhancement, which allows your team to fix weaknesses and improve performance. With the rapid development of technology, the quality of produced software should consistently meet user and industry standards.

If you are looking to cut down on the duration of your audits or simply need an extra hand, hire professionals who do software code auditing. Visit Devcom’s software code audit services to learn how our software development company can help you ensure your systems are secure, efficient and aligned with best practices.