1. Define users and the first release
Describe who will use the app, in what situation and to complete which task. A field worker creating a record and a manager approving it have different needs. Identify which actions belong on a phone and which need an administration panel. Define the core workflow before adding optional features.
- List each user role, its permitted actions and the information it can access.
- Separate launch essentials, later options and work outside the agreed scope.
2. Choose platforms around actual use
Identify your audience's devices and whether browser access is needed. iOS, Android, web and TV experiences can require different navigation and interaction decisions. Evaluate technology against required capabilities and existing systems rather than the appearance of a reference app.
Explain why camera access, notifications, location or offline use is needed. Reading saved content without a connection differs from creating records and synchronizing them later. Agree on the supported devices and software versions during discovery.
3. Map the journey from opening to completion
Write the steps from first launch to the completed task. Does the person need an account? Where do they go after signing in? How do they know an action succeeded? Include empty lists, loading, failed requests and retry behavior alongside the main journey.
- Decide what happens when someone leaves midway or their session expires.
- Include larger text, screen reader use, clear control labels and comfortable touch targets in acceptance checks.
4. Assign content, data and account owners
Name the people preparing and approving copy, images, translations and product information. For an existing API, describe the data available, the access contact and the test environment. If an administration panel is needed, separately list editing, publishing and user-management tasks.
Record ownership of domains, hosting, developer accounts and third-party services. Agree on controlled collaboration access and eventual handover. Keep passwords, secret keys and real user data out of the brief. Source code and release access should have a named recipient.
5. Connect permissions to specific benefits
For each device permission, explain the user benefit and what happens if access is declined. Selecting a file may meet the need without opening the camera. Declining notifications should still leave the main task usable. Review access requests whose purpose is unclear.
- List information kept on the device, sent to your server or shared with another service.
- Assign responsibility for user-facing explanations, account actions and data-related requests.
- Define completed actions for measurement; keep message contents and contact details out of analytics events.
6. Test observable behavior
Acceptance checks need expected results, not just feature names. Creating a record might require correct saved data, a success message and no accidental duplicate on retry. Plan test accounts and example data rather than experimenting with real customer information.
- Check sign-in, sign-out, the core task, error messages and access boundaries.
- Verify layout, readability, declined permissions and weak connections on supported devices.
- Test notifications, payments and offline synchronization separately when included in scope.
7. Prepare the store submission and handover
Assign the app name, descriptions, icon, screenshots, support links and any access needed for review. Specify who prepares and submits the release. Check current platform requirements at submission time; the team cannot guarantee a review outcome or approval date.
- Deliver source code, build and release notes, account ownership details and content-editing instructions.
- Document open issues, defect-fix scope, maintenance ownership and the process for new feature requests.
- Name the person checking key workflows after launch and the support contact.