software

Chapter 9 of 11

The backpack

Short, useful things to carry into any software project — whether or not you ever work with us.

  • Guide · plan

    Writing a one-page product story

    Before you brief anyone, write a paragraph about your main user: who they are, what they're trying to do, and what goes wrong for them today. Keep it under 200 words. If you can't, the product is probably trying to do too much at once.

  • Guide · apps

    Cross-platform vs native, in brief

    Cross-platform frameworks share one codebase for iOS and Android and suit most content, booking and account-based apps. Native builds suit apps that lean hard on device hardware. Ask any supplier to explain their recommendation in writing.

  • Checklist · publish

    Store-readiness essentials

    Organisation developer accounts, privacy policy URL, support URL, accurate data-safety answers, demo login for reviewers, and in-app account deletion if your app creates accounts.

  • Checklist · web

    Website handover list

    Make sure you hold: domain registrar login, DNS access, hosting account, CMS admin, analytics (if any), email DNS records, backup location and a list of renewal dates.

  • Guide · design

    Running a five-person usability test

    Recruit five people who resemble your users. Give each a realistic task, ask them to think aloud, and don't help. Write down where they hesitate. Fix the biggest hesitation and test again.

  • Checklist · support

    When something breaks: what to send

    What you were doing, what you expected, what happened instead, the time it happened, device and browser, and a screenshot. Never send passwords by email.

  • Guide · web

    Accessibility quick wins

    Use real headings in order, label every form field, check colour contrast, make sure everything works with a keyboard alone, and write link text that makes sense out of context.

  • Guide · plan

    Estimating honestly

    Good estimates come with ranges and assumptions. Be wary of a single number with no explanation — and of anyone who quotes before understanding what you need.

  • Word · apps

    Glossary: TestFlight

    Apple's service for sending test builds of an iOS app to invited testers before public release.

  • Word · web

    Glossary: DNS

    The internet's address book. DNS records point your domain to your website and tell other servers where to deliver your email.

  • Word · publish

    Glossary: Data safety form

    Google Play's questionnaire describing what data your app collects and shares. It must match the app's actual behaviour.

  • Word · support

    Glossary: Dependency

    A piece of third-party code your software relies on. Dependencies need regular updates to stay secure.

Photo credits

Photographs on this site are licensed stock images chosen to illustrate the kind of work we do. They do not depict Dora Software staff, premises or client projects.

  • Mobile app interface design with map and social feed — source, used under the Unsplash License. Cropped for layout. Illustrative only.
  • Free Business team collaborating and brainstorming in a meeting room with sticky notes. Stock Photo — source, used under the Pexels License. Cropped for layout. Illustrative only.

The characters and shapes throughout the site are original drawings made for Dora Software.