How to write an app brief for a developer
A good app brief answers the questions a developer would otherwise have to ask: what the app should do, for whom, and what the first version must include. It doesn't need technical words. Plain sentences about what users should be able to do are exactly what a developer needs.
What to put in your brief
- The idea in one sentence: who uses it and what it helps them do.
- Who it's for: consumers, businesses or your own team.
- Where people use it: on their phone, in the browser or both.
- The first version: the features it can't launch without, and what can wait.
- Accounts, payments and an admin area: these three change the size of a project the most, so say clearly if you need them.
- Tools it has to connect to: calendars, CRMs, newsletter tools and similar.
- Timing and budget: when you want to launch, and a range if you have one.
What to leave out
Long wishlists for later versions, detailed designs before the core works, and technical decisions you're unsure about. Put those as open questions instead: a good developer will answer them, and how they answer tells you a lot about them.
An example
Idea: A booking app for small yoga studios, where students see the class schedule and book a spot.
Who it's for: Consumers, plus the studio owner who manages classes.
Where: On their phone and in the browser.
First version: user accounts, class schedule, booking, subscriptions for class passes, an admin area for the studio.
Launch: A few months is fine if it's done properly.
Open questions: Should we launch on the web first and add the phone app later? How do we handle subscriptions in the App Store and Google Play?
This is an illustration, not a real project.
Why a brief saves time and money
Every question a developer has to ask later costs time in calls and rework. A brief also lets you compare offers from different developers fairly, because they all quote for the same thing.
Frequently asked questions
What is an app brief?
A short document that describes what your app should do, who it's for and what the first version includes. Developers use it to understand the project and to estimate time and cost.
How long should an app brief be?
For a first version, one or two pages is usually enough. Aim for clarity, not completeness: list what must be in the first version and put everything else under later.
Do I need technical knowledge to write one?
No. Describe what users should be able to do. Technical choices, like the framework or the database, are the developer's job. This tool adds a recommended stack as a starting point for that conversation.
Is my brief stored anywhere?
No. The brief is created in your browser and nothing is sent to our server. Only if you click Send to a builder are your structured answers passed to ErdiBuilds in the link, never your idea text or budget.