Software Development Process

We'll ask questions during the initial consultation to make sure we're a good fit. From there, we'll start the Discovery Phase. This discovery process involves working with you to get specifications to build a digital prototype of the system. We'll use that prototype along with the information you've provided to write the business logic and user stories so that we'll be able to create architecture. Architecting a product starts with deciding on the best technology, then creating a task list for every step of the way. Those tasks will individually have hour estimations assigned that will lead us to the timeline as well as total cost.

Absolutely! Even finished projects are never truly finished. Between quality of life enhancements and keeping up with technology updates, there is almost always ongoing maintenance for any project.

Discovery Phases typically range from $3,000 - $6,000 depending on how complex your software needs are, and how extensive the prototype needs to be.

Of course! If your plan is to just get a design prototype for your product for investment or marketing purposes, we can take you through the Discovery Phase then allow you to move freely to do whatever you'd like with it!

Software product estimates are determined through architecture; a process in which developers sit down and list every task needed to complete a project, combined with estimated hours. Once we have an estimated timeframe, we can determine your estimated software project cost.

At Deep Fork, we work out of a pre-paid retainer. This means that you'll pay for an individual segment of work at a time. This helps in a few ways:

- You won't be obligated to the entire cost of your project upfront.
- You'll have the opportunity to review the work completed and be satisfied before spending more money.
- Our costs are kept low because we won't need to chase payments.
- Work on your project moves at your pace, and we won't need to stop to hunt for lost checks or overdue funds.
- You own your code through the entire project. You buy the code along with our time each step of the way.

We accept payments through cash, check, ACH, and credit card (credit cards have a processing fee).

We don't use long-term contracts. Each phase is agreed in a Scope of Work that spells out the milestones, timeline, and cost, so both sides know what's expected and you're never locked into more than the work in front of you.

Bring it on in, whether you designed it yourself or built it with AI tools. We'll run a shorter Discovery Phase to understand the product and plan the build around your designs, then start development.

It depends on the project. We usually use Asana or ClickUp for tasks and updates, and Figma for designs, so you can see what's happening at any point.

We like to involve our clients in every aspect of the software development process. That way, you feel like you have contributed to the completion of your product, and understand everything that's going on.

Yes! Creating wireframes during the Discovery Phase is great for client collaboration because it allows our design team to really get to know you and your problem, and find a visual style that will fit your product.