What should you prepare before a software discovery call?
Bring a short description of the problem, who uses the product, the few things it must do, and any limits on time, budget or technology. You don't need a spec. A rough page of notes is enough for a good first conversation and a more accurate proposal afterward.
The one-page brief
Answer these in a few sentences each:
- The problem. What's painful today, and for whom?
- The users. Who will use it, and roughly how many?
- The core workflow. What's the main thing a user does from start to finish?
- Must-haves. Which three to five features does the first release need?
- Nice-to-haves. What can wait for later?
Share what already exists
If you have any of these, send them along or have them ready to show:
- Screens, sketches or screenshots of apps you like
- The tools and spreadsheets the team uses now
- Documents that show how the process works today
- Access to an existing product, if you're improving one
For an existing system, it also helps to know where it runs, what it's built with and who maintains it.
Know your constraints
- Timeline. Is there a date that matters, such as a launch, a demo or a budget cycle?
- Budget. A range is fine. It helps the team suggest a scope that fits.
- Technology. Do you have required tools, a cloud provider or compliance needs?
- Integrations. Which other systems does it need to talk to?
Decide who's involved
Say who will answer questions and approve work on your side. Projects slow down when nobody owns decisions, and the first call is a good time to settle it.
Questions worth bringing
- How will we see progress?
- What's included, and what would count as a change?
- What do I own at the end?
- What does support look like after launch?
For more on judging the answers, see how to choose a software development partner.
What happens on our call
Our discovery call is free and lasts 30 minutes. We ask about the workflow and the users, then talk through a first scope. A fixed-price proposal follows within 3 days, and we're happy to sign an NDA first if you ask.
To see the kind of problem a first call can untangle, read how we replaced paper records with automated daily logging for a solar park, then book a call when you're ready. You can also read about our SaaS development service.