I had an idea for a software application and hired a programmer from one of the freelance programming websites. Towards the end he bailed. I even gave him extra money because the project ran over the time he said it would take. I ended up with useless software. He had excellent reviews, and was established on the freelance website

I know what I want the software to do but it seems I almost need to know programming to convey it or a wireframe or something. I had written down what I wanted it to do. But even the basic function ended up broken

Along the way as problems presented themselves i had to brainstorm solutions for the problems. As an example there could be two things named the same thing, this caused the software to crash. I would have thought the programmer would have already thought of this being a potential problem based on how I explained it would function. He then fixed it but in my mind this should have been a non issue from the get go.

So in essence my question is how do I explain what I want and should a programmer be asking me any questions ? Or do I have to have everything spelled out even if I am not a programmer because its seemed like I need to know programming to explain how I want the software to function. And where / how do I find a good one ?

  • XIVMagnus@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I’m a software engineer now entrepreneur.

    I noticed this issue right away when I first started, many freelancers still think “9-5” and I don’t think they really understand how to do business.

    They lack communication skills and don’t really know how to ask the right questions. I know because I struggled with this myself.

    A good engineer should be able to troubleshoot all the problems themselves, the whole experience should feel like a “white glove” service.

    My biggest advice is to network with other engineers that either run an agency/firm delivering “dev as a service”. Shop around a bit before you make any final decisions.

    A place to find them is here on Reddit or Twitter, also LinkedIn is growing so I think that’s another great place. I’m personally on all 3.

    • cogmind@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      The white glove service is what I expected, what I got was riding shotgun in a car with 3 wheels and the check engine light is on. I really have no network and not even sure how to get one started since I work full time and I really have nothing to bring to the table in a networking group other than my ideas.

      I will look for the dev as a service. Thank you