What to expect after you contact Applover?

You want to develop a digital product. Theoretically, you know what you need, but you feel like you don’t know what to expect. We’ve been there and we know what it’s like. Do you wish someone would explain to you step by step what it looks like to create, for example, a mobile application? Here you go! 

When you contact Applover, we respond within a few hours and arrange with you an intro call. This is an opportunity for us to get to know each other, and for you to tell us about your company and business needs. At this stage, if you want, we can sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement). What’s important for us is to get a complete picture of the situation at hand. Keep reading to learn more about how we evalate your company’s needs and what’s next!

In the beginning, there was a brief

At the beginning of every collaboration, we ask you to complete a brief. What is it? It’s a set of questions directed to the client, which initially defines the goals, as well as the functionality of the product, and helps us create a work plan. The brief is also useful for creating an initial valuation. 

Don’t worry about not knowing how to go about completing the brief! In the document that we will send you, you will find examples and tips that can help you define your assumptions. However, if you need additional help, then our team will always provide you with all the answers and advice you need! We are here for you. 

The brief is essential for further cooperation, so it’s worth spending as much time as possible on it in focus. Not only will it help you define the idea and main goals of the product you want to create, but it also allows us to get to know your vision better and becomes an initial reference point for you and us. Based on the brief, we are also able to conduct an initial quote. How does it work?

Initial valuation, which means everything is under control

Let’s be clear – pricing is never an easy subject. That’s why we prepare an initial valuation as soon as we get familiar with the concept detailed in the brief. This allows us to check if we are a good fit for your budget. By determining the budget at the initial stage, you will know where you stand from the very beginning. For us, good communication and honesty are the main pillars of good cooperation. Our proposal will tell you how many developers will be needed for your project, as well as how many hours they will need to work and at what rate. The valuation can also be presented in the form of a spreadsheet divided into separate functions and sections. We care about making everything easy to read for you.

Remember that such a valuation is in no way binding – it is an opportunity to have a good chat about the budget. If it turns out that your capabilities are different, we can try to work out a monthly quote, or we will try to find another solution. Maybe some technologies and functionalities can be modified or replaced with others? Let’s talk about it! 

Get to the framework agreement

Let’s imagine that everything went smoothly with the valuation – what’s next? We need to define the framework of our cooperation, the rates, and the degree of confidentiality of the project. To the contract, an extension is attached in a separate document, which describes specific orders such as:

• Business analysis
• UX/UI analysis
• First workshop
• Second workshop
• Functionality specification
• Clickable mockups

Each order is broken down into the following parameters:

• The subject of the order (scope of work)
• Price
• Deadlines
• Warranty.

To reserve staff for the preparation of the next step, which is the specification, it is important to sign the documents within a maximum of 7 days of receipt. This will allow us to carry out further steps without problems!

First workshop ahead 

This part will gather the information and materials that our team will need to create a preliminary specification and technical analysis, as well as a business analysis. Our specialists, with the help of the information gathered from you, will determine, among other things, what user expectations might look like, what functionality will be needed to create the product, and, most importantly, what technologies would be recommended for a project of this type. 

By sharing as much project data with us as possible, you help our team understand the basics of your business and provide direct insight into how your business works. 

The first workshop is also a time to define and discuss any technological risks associated with the project. To make you feel comfortable, we can conduct the workshop at a location of your choice, or remotely!

In the second workshop, your project takes shape

During the second workshop, you will already be familiar with the tools that our team will use to create your project. During this stage, we will create the final version of the specification (That is, the set of requirements for the product) and wireframes. Wireframes are nothing more than a visualization of the product. With the help of such a mockup, you will see the behavior of the various functionalities and their location on the user’s screen. They are a raw preview of the product without design elements. 

The second workshop is for you to have a look at the first results of your product work. You will see if your vision is well reflected in the project. Also, you will be able to get better familiar with the tools you are using and discuss problems and new challenges that may arise. After the workshop, you will get a summary of all the findings from us.

What are wireframes for? 

Creating a mockup of your product is key to giving structure to the entire project. While working on the final wireframes, you’ll meet our UX/UI Designers – the people responsible for building user experience through thoughtful interactions on a website or app, and who will take care of the visual side of the product. With the help of prepared sketches, you will see suggestions for the look of the site. To stay up to date, we will give you access to a wireframe in a Figma file, so you can preview the work on the product and freely contact our team.

Why is project specification so important?

This is our source of all knowledge about the project. All its features, necessary tools, details of functionality, specific business requirements, names of individual components – everything is in the specification, which will be prepared in a private document. With this form, you can add comments to individual points and communicate with the development team. Thanks to the specification, both you, and we have clearly defined actions, and all possible delays in the deadline can be detected earlier. Remember that changes in specifications are not impossible, but may affect the valuation.

The kick-off stage

We are close to the finish line! Once everything is set and approved – we finalize legal matters. Signing the framework agreement, purchase order, design and development work orders. After everything comes the moment when the Project Manager presents the project to everyone involved and well… we set a start date! 

Every collaboration is exciting

We are aware that the IT world can seem very complicated. That’s why it is good to have trusted partners. At Applover, we make sure that our clients feel confident and informed during the process of building and developing a product. The comfort of cooperation is important for both sides and is the key to creating a fully qualitative product. That is why we have developed, among other things, a process book where you can read in detail all the stages of cooperation mentioned in the article. Hope to see you there!