Questions to Ask App Developers
Due-diligence prompts for hiring or collaborating with app developers: scope, process, code quality, and costs.
1What’s your discovery process to define scope and risks?
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What’s your discovery process to define scope and risks?
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Why this works
Prevents vague specs and rework.
2What stack do you recommend and why for this use case?
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What stack do you recommend and why for this use case?
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Why this works
Trade-offs in speed, hiring, and scalability.
3How do you handle architecture, testing, and CI/CD?
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How do you handle architecture, testing, and CI/CD?
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Why this works
Signals quality, maintainability, and DevOps maturity.
4How do you break work into milestones and demos?
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How do you break work into milestones and demos?
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Why this works
Visibility and iterative feedback.
5What’s your approach to design systems and accessibility?
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What’s your approach to design systems and accessibility?
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Why this works
Ensures consistent, inclusive UI.
6How will security and privacy be addressed?
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How will security and privacy be addressed?
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Why this works
Data handling, auth, dependencies, compliance.
7What parts would you build vs. use third-party services?
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What parts would you build vs. use third-party services?
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Why this works
Cost, reliability, and lock-in calculus.
8How do you estimate and manage changes?
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How do you estimate and manage changes?
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Why this works
Transparent pricing and change control.
9Who owns code, IP, and accounts?
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Who owns code, IP, and accounts?
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Why this works
Protects client control and continuity.
10What does handoff look like if we part ways?
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What does handoff look like if we part ways?
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Why this works
Docs, tests, infra, and keys.
11What maintenance and support options do you offer?
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What maintenance and support options do you offer?
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Why this works
Post-launch stability and SLAs.
12Can you show shipped apps and references?
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Can you show shipped apps and references?
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Why this works
Evidence of delivery and quality.
Run a Solid Build
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.