Apps Development Worksheet

Apps Development Worksheet Introduction

Next steps

By David Thomson  Games and Apps Adviser

For support with the different aspects of your Apps Development project, please see the resources below:

This worksheet will help you clarify what stage you are at with planning your app or game idea. It’s one thing to have an idea for a digital product; it’s another to bring that idea to life and support it in the wider world.

This worksheet sets out some of the first questions any developer or financer would ask to check;  if an app idea has potential,  how committed you are and  what level of involvement is expected.

The developer or financer may be you. Either way, answering these questions will help build a case for progressing your idea, and identify any gaps in your research or holes in your plans.

If you require more in-depth support in this area to help you set up or run a creative industries business in Scotland, you can email us on enquiries@culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk or call our Enquiry Line on 0333 999 7989. In addition, you may be referred to our Specialist Games and Apps Adviser for a free advice session.

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Try Giff Constable’s Business Assumptions Exercise http://giffconstable.com/2011/12/business-assumptionsexercise/ Visit our How do I protect my ideas / business / project?

FAQ For potential sources of funding, visit the Finance & Funding section of our website and refer to our Digital & Games Funding listing.

Visit the Marketing section of our website, refer to our Market Day workbooks, or book onto our Market Day workshop.

Disclaimer: Cultural Enterprise Office is not responsible for any advice or information provided by any external organisation referenced in this document.

Page 1 of 6  David Thomson for Cultural Enterprise Office, 2013 www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk T: 0333 999 7989

Apps Development Worksheet 1. The idea For others to engage with your idea, you have to express it clearly in words and / or as a prototype.

1.1 What is your idea? Ideally, you should be able to describe this in a tweet. (140 characters or less.)

Hint: Apps (particularly on mobile) typically do one thing well, which can help focus your thinking. Be clear about what your idea is not about.

1.2 Why do you want to invest time (and money) in turning this idea into a product? o

What problem does it solve?

o

Why does that matter?

o

Is this intended to be a new business?

o

Is this an extension or promotional tool for an existing business?

o

Is it purely for fun rather than for profit?

Page 2 of 6 ďƒŁ David Thomson for Cultural Enterprise Office, 2013 www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk T: 0333 999 7989

Apps Development Worksheet 2. Technology 2.1 What technology platform will the product be created for e.g. iPhone, Android, Windows, Browser? Each requires a different approach and different technologies to build new products.

2.2 Do you have the programming and design skills to create the product yourself? If you don’t have these skills yourself, how will you acquire them, e.g. learn them, become business partner with someone who has them, employ or commission someone with them?

Hint: Try Scottish Games Network, Interactive Tayside, UK Web Design Association, 38minutes for potential app development partners or contractors.

2.3 What technology will you use to create the product?

2.4 Would the idea be better implemented via a mobile website, which will work across all mobile devices?

Hint: Read “Apps vs the web” article for developers http://alistapart.com/article/apps-vs-the-web Page 3 of 6  David Thomson for Cultural Enterprise Office, 2013 www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk T: 0333 999 7989

Apps Development Worksheet 3. Financing 3.1 How will you fund the creation of the product? (Typically, a relatively simple app can take a team of people 3-4 months of development before it’s ready for launch.)

3.2 Once the app is available, how will you support the further development of the app, e.g. bug fixes and new features? (Be aware, certain platforms and distributors will pay you money at least one month in arrears. This can cause cashflow issues.)

3.3 If someone else, (e.g. another company,) is helping you create the app, are you clear on who will own the intellectual property of the final product?

3.4 How will you finance marketing costs?

Page 4 of 6 ďƒŁ David Thomson for Cultural Enterprise Office, 2013 www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk T: 0333 999 7989

Apps Development Worksheet 4. Marketing 4.1 Who will use your app? How will it make their lives better?

4.2 How will you reach potential users?

4.3 What store category/ies does your app fall under, e.g. lifestyle, entertainment, games etc.?

Page 5 of 6 ďƒŁ David Thomson for Cultural Enterprise Office, 2013 www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk T: 0333 999 7989

Apps Development Worksheet 4.4 How will your app stand out from the crowd? (There are 800,000+ apps on the iPhone alone.)

4.5 How will you price your app?

Hint: Read “Don’t Just Roll The Dice” (free): https://efendibooks.com/minibooks/dont-just-roll-the-dice

4.6 Who is your competition? o

What do they charge?

o

Why will someone use your app instead of the others?

o

Why would someone switch away from a competing app to yours?

Page 6 of 6  David Thomson for Cultural Enterprise Office, 2013 www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk T: 0333 999 7989