How to brief a developer so your Android app stays on budget

Apps go over budget when the first conversation was “make me something like that other app.” A short brief is cheaper than a rebuild.

What to write down

• Who will use it, and on which phones.
• The three jobs it must do in version one (for example: browse, add to cart, place an order).
• What can wait until version two.
• Whether it needs to talk to a website or a spreadsheet you already have.
• Who will publish it on the Play Store.

What I do with that

I reply with a scope, a timeline, and a package or custom quote. You get preview builds, not radio silence. Publishing can be part of the handover, under your own developer account.

If you only have a paragraph today, send it anyway. Asking the right follow-up questions is part of the work.