Selection of development tools : You should no longer be relying on SQL*Plus to compile, execute, and test code; on a basic editor like Notepad to write the code; or on EXPLAIN PLAN to analyze application performance. Software companies offer a multitude of tools (with a wide range of functionality and price) that will help dramatically improve your development environment. Decide on the tools to be used by all members of the development group.

How SQL is written in PL/SQL code : The SQL in your application can be the Achilles’ heel of your code base. If you aren’t careful about how you place SQL statements in your PL/SQL code, you’ll end up with applications that are difficult to optimize, debug, and manage over time.

An exception handling architecture : Users have a hard time understanding how to use an application correctly, and developers have an even harder time debugging and fixing an application if errors are handled inconsistently (or not at all). The best way to implement application-wide, consistent error handling is to use a standardized package according to specific guidelines.

Processes for code review and testing : There are some basic tenets of programming that must not be ignored. You should never put code into production without having it reviewed by one or more other developers, and without performing exhaustive testing. Astonishingly, many (if not most) PL/SQL development shops have neither standard, mandatory code reviews nor a strict testing regimen.