Methodology

The 6-Phase Development Pipeline

A structured, repeatable process for building apps from concept to post-launch. Every phase has clear entry criteria, steps, and deliverables — so you always know what to do next.

00

Concept

Phase Details

Transform a raw idea into a validated concept with enough clarity to commit resources.

What are we building, who is it for, and is it worth pursuing?

01
Guided Concept Session
Interactive Q&A that drives all concept steps conversationally
Draft deliverables
02
Ideation & Vision
Define the core idea and who it serves
Vision Statement
03
Discovery Questions
Surface unknowns and scope decisions
Completed Questionnaire
04
Competitive Analysis
Understand the market and differentiation
Competitor Matrix
05
Technical Feasibility
Validate that the idea is buildable
Feasibility Assessment
06
Concept Document
Synthesize everything into a Go/No-Go decision
Concept Document
07
App Naming
Develop and select a working app name
Name Decision
08
Phase Retrospective
Capture process learnings and set up the next phase
Retrospective Notes
8 steps1–5 days
View principles & details
01

Pre-Production

Phase Details

Transform the approved Concept Document into a buildable plan.

How are we building this, and in what order?

01
Requirements Specification
Formalize features into user stories and acceptance criteria
Requirements Document
02
Technical Spikes
Time-boxed prototypes to validate unknowns
Spike Reports
03
Architecture Design
System architecture, data models, testability patterns
Architecture Document
04
UI/UX Design
Visual direction, wireframes, screen designs, user flows
UI/UX Spec
05
Design System
Design tokens, component library, component specs
Design System Spec
06
API & Data Design
Database schema, API contracts, data flows
API Spec + Schema
07
Project Plan
Milestones, sprints, task lists
Project Plan
08
Dev Environment Setup
Repos, CI/CD, testing infrastructure
Working Dev Environment
09
Phase Retrospective
Capture process learnings, create continuity artifacts
Retrospective + Continuity
9 steps3 days – 2 weeks
View principles & details
02

Production

Phase Details

Build the app. Execute the plan in structured sprints, maintaining working software at every step.

Is it built and does it work?

01
Sprint Execution
Run a structured sprint from kickoff to review
Sprint Tracker
02
Retrospective
Pause, reflect, and improve the process
Retro Tracker
2 steps2 weeks – 3 months
View principles & details
03

Testing

Phase Details

Prove the app works correctly, performs well, and meets the acceptance criteria from Pre-Production.

Is it ready to ship?

01
Test Plan
Define what to test, how, and acceptance criteria
Test Plan Document
02
Functional Testing
Verify all features work as specified
Test Results + Bug List
03
Platform Testing
Test on real devices across platforms and OS versions
Compatibility Report
04
Performance Testing
Profile and optimize for speed, memory, battery
Performance Benchmarks
05
Security & Privacy Audit
Verify data handling, auth, and compliance
Security Audit Report
06
Beta Testing
External testers via TestFlight or internal tracks
User Feedback + Bug Reports
07
Bug Fix Sprint
Address all critical and high-priority bugs
Clean Bug Tracker
7 steps1–4 weeks
View principles & details

Ship the app to users. Prepare store listings, submit for review, coordinate marketing, and execute a smooth launch.

Is it live and are people finding it?

01
Store Preparation
App Store Connect setup, pricing, availability
Store Listings Configured
02
Store & Marketing Assets
Screenshots, preview video, promotional artwork
Store-Ready Visuals
03
Compliance Final Check
Privacy manifests, ATT, age rating, content declarations
Compliance Checklist Passed
04
Submission
Archive, upload, submit for review
App in Review
05
Launch Marketing
Press, social, community, launch day plan
Marketing Materials + Plan
06
Launch Day
Monitor reviews, crashes, analytics
Live App with Monitoring
07
Web Deployment
Deploy web version if applicable
Live Website
7 steps1–4 weeks
View principles & details
05

Post-Launch

Phase Details

Sustain, grow, and evolve the app based on real user data.

Is it growing, and what do we build next?

01
Monitoring Setup
Dashboards for key metrics, alerts for issues
Monitoring Dashboard
02
User Feedback Loop
Collect, categorize, and prioritize user feedback
Feedback Log + Priorities
03
Iteration Planning
Plan updates based on data and feedback
Updated Roadmap
04
Update Cycle
Regular cadence for bug fixes, features, content
Release Schedule
05
Growth & Retention
ASO optimization, referral mechanics, re-engagement
Growth Metrics
06
Retrospective
What worked, what didn't, lessons learned
Retro Document

See It in Action

Follow real projects through every phase in the dev journal.

Read the Journal