You do not need a perfect specification, a technical document, or a decision about which technology to use. You should arrive with basic decisions, examples, and open questions so the scope, the complexity, and the right way to start are clear.The goal is to separate what must be built now, what can be tested in a first version, and what should wait until there is real use.
1. Define who the app is for and what problem it solves
Start with a short description of the users: who they are, what situation they are in, and what they are trying to do when they open the app. A focused description makes it easier to choose screens, actions, and priorities.Also state the problem in plain language. For example: users need to book a service quickly, track a status, receive reminders, or manage information that is awkward to handle with today's tools.
- Who is the primary user?
- What is the most important action they need to complete?
- What happens today without the app?
- What counts as successful use in the first version?
2. Describe the main user flow
Before listing every screen, describe the main path from start to finish: where the user begins, which details they provide, what they receive at the end, and what happens if something is missing or fails.One clear flow is better than a long list of ideas. It shows what belongs in the app, what belongs in the backend, and what needs an admin system or a connection to an external service.
- What is the first screen the user sees?
- Which actions do they take, in order?
- Which messages, confirmations, or alerts are required?
- Who handles the other side of the flow, if there is one?
3. Choose what belongs in the first version
A good first version does not have to include every idea. It should include the path that shows the product is useful, together with what is required to run it reliably.At this stage, separate what is required for launch, what matters later, and ideas that can wait until there are users or feedback.
- Which actions must work on day one?
- What can be handled manually behind the scenes at first?
- Which information must be stored in the system?
- Which capabilities can wait for the next version?
4. Collect screens, examples, and existing materials
Existing materials do not have to be final, but they shorten the path to understanding the product.Examples of what you do not want can help too: an overloaded interface, a cumbersome sign-up flow, or an app whose flow does not fit the audience.
- Sketches or flow diagrams, even if they are not designed.
- Examples of apps or screens that show a direction.
- A logo, colors, copy, or existing materials if you have them.
- Sample information the app is supposed to display or store.
5. Spell out sign-in, payment, and integration requirements
Many technical decisions depend on whether users need to sign in, pay, receive notifications, or work with external systems. These are not small details. They affect security, testing, the app stores, and the development scope.You do not need to choose every vendor or service in advance, but it is important to know which capabilities are required and what you already have.
- Is sign-in needed by email, phone, Google, Apple, or through an organization?
- Is there a one-time payment, a subscription, card processing, or an in-app purchase?
- Are push notifications, emails, or SMS needed?
- Which external systems need to connect to the app?
6. Write down constraints and open questions
Constraints help planning: a target date, a dependency on an external vendor, an app store, a budget that still needs checking, regulation, an internal team, or an existing system.Open questions are useful. They mark where a decision is needed before anyone commits to a scope of work.
- Is there a target date or an event you need to reach?
- Is there an existing system to connect to?
- Who approves product and design decisions?
- Which topics are still undecided?
7. What you need to know in advance, and what you decide together
Before a specification call, you do not need to know how the architecture will look, which cloud service to use, or whether the app will be built with a particular technology. Those decisions come after the need, the audience, the constraints, and the systems to connect are understood.What is worth bringing to the conversation, even if the answers are partial:
- You need to know: the problem, the users, and the main flow.
- You need to know: required capabilities, existing systems, a rough budget, and time limits.
- Decide together: screen structure, priorities, development stages, and testing.
- Decide together: technologies, infrastructure, third-party vendors, and how to launch.
Hypothetical example only
A short brief for a service-booking app
- Problem: the business receives service requests by messages and calls, and it is hard to know who has already been handled and what the status of each request is.
- Audience: private customers who want to book a home service without a phone call, and an operations team that updates statuses.
- Main flow: choose a service type, enter an address, pick a time window, confirm the request, and receive a status update.
- First version: a customer app, basic sign-in, request creation, a status area, and an internal admin system for handling requests.
- Existing systems: there is an orders spreadsheet and a payment system, but it still needs to be checked whether they are connected in the first version.
- Open questions: whether payment inside the app is required, who updates availability, and what must already be automatic at launch.
Preparation list for the call
You can come to the call with partial answers. The list helps show what is already clear and what still needs to be worked out together.- The business problem the app is supposed to solve.
- The primary audience, and additional users if there are any.
- The main user flow, step by step.
- A list of required capabilities for the first version.
- Screens, sketches, design files, or examples if they exist.
- Sign-in, payment, notification, and integration requirements.
- Existing systems, vendors, or constraints to take into account.
- A rough budget, time limits, and open questions that are still undecided.
Want to check how to start?
Send a few words about the idea, the audience, and the first version you have in mind. We will come back with follow-up questions and an initial direction.Want to check how to start?
Send a few words about the idea, the audience, and the first version you have in mind. We will come back with follow-up questions and an initial direction.