General project flow

From Iphone

Most projects start with a phone call or email of introduction and to discuss the project at a high level. We may send an NDA to the client (or use theirs, if they have one), then we may exchange a few more emails/phone calls discussing the project in greater detail. From that point, most projects follow this general pattern:

• Initial design and paperwork.
  • We finalize the design (which could be as simple as the client reading my summary and saying "yeah, that's what I want.")
  • I'll send some paperwork to sign.
    • A boilerplate Non Disclosure Agreement wherein we promise not to give away each other's business secrets.
    • A boilerplate Software Development Contract wherein I promise to do a professional job of programming as you ask, you promise to pay my invoices, etc.
    • An "Exhibit-A", which is an addendum to the SDC, which describes this project in particular, my estimate, an hourly cap ("do not work longer than X hours without client approval"), payment terms, and a section describing how the client can request, and we can agree to do, additional work.
• Project management.
  • Client sends (snail-mail or scan & email) signed contracts and a deposit (applied to you first invoice.)
  • Client signs-up to be an Apple iPhone developer.
  • We'll send instructions for client to create an issue-tracking database.
  • We'll send instructions for adding our test devices to your ad-hoc profile.
  • Client sends an ad-hoc profile with our test devices on it.

NOTE: if you want us to handle all of the iPhone Developer stuff -- creating ad-hoc profiles, signing the app with your certificate, submitting to the store, etc. -- we can, although that will add a few hours to the project time.

In addition, we recommend that the client participate in this portion, as experience in this area helps to smooth project-related discussions.

• Initial wireframe.
  • Client sends initial content for use in preview-apps sent to review progress.

This content may be placeholder. That is, we don't need final images and text, just something to stand-in for the app wireframe (below.)

• • We send an ad-hoc "wireframe" of your app. This will demonstrate basic navigation and app-flow, although the actual functionality and content will be missing.
• Iterate & completion
  • Additional ad-hoc previews will be sent for client review as different phases of the app are completed, adjustments are made, etc.
  • We send the final package, ready to submit to the app store.

In addition:

• Every Monday, we email a progress report which includes: progress this week (and billable hours worked), planned work for next week and any issues/concerns.
• Every other Monday, we invoice the previous two weeks' work.
  • Invoices are due on receipt, and carry a discount if paid within 30 days.