In the world of apps, hiring the wrong app development team can cost massively in terms of time, money, and market opportunity. Good app developers can bring your vision to life through value-driven design (VDD), prioritizing usability, scalability, and ROI. Let’s look at what VDD is:
Value-Driven Design is the prioritization of high-level needs based on the perceived business value that each would deliver.
Use this guide to understand what to look for when evaluating a potential app development partner that maximizes VDD:
1. They Have a Clear Stance on Programming Language
For many business owners, understanding programming languages may not be a strong suit, and that’s okay. What matters most is knowing the right questions to ask. You must drill down the app language into an efficient, scalable, and cost-effective one.
When discussing with a developer, confirm the value of their language choice by evaluating:
- Maturity: How long has the language been around? Mature languages often have fewer bugs and more stable frameworks.
- Community Support: A large developer community means more shared knowledge and easier troubleshooting.
- Talent Availability: Can you easily find other developers who work in this language on platforms like Upwork or LinkedIn?
- Enterprise Adoption: Is this language used by reputable companies? That’s usually a strong indicator of longevity and viability.
- Native vs. Cross-Platform: Which devices is your app available for?
These criteria give you a better sense of whether your app developer is making strategic technical choices around value or relying on their own outdated or inefficient frameworks.
For more details on programming languages, read about choosing the right programming language for your app here.
2. Great App Developers Work With Figma
If your developer isn’t using Figma for app design, that’s a red flag in 2025. Tools like Adobe Photoshop are outdated for modern interface design, especially for mobile apps, where modular and scalable design systems are critical for app development teams.
Figma allows for component-based design, which means your UI elements can be reused and adapted efficiently across different app screens. In addition, Figma speeds up app development by allowing developers to inspect and copy styling for use in the app’s code.
A strong app design foundation with Figma means fewer revisions, better collaboration between designers and developers, faster go-to-market times, and consistent value through design.
3. They Use Jira for Project Management
Project management is the backbone of successful app development. If your developer isn’t using Jira or an equivalent enterprise-level tool, you’re probably missing out on delivering the full value of your in-app features.
Yes, Jira is complex, but that’s because app development is complex. From task tracking to bug management, Jira is built to handle the tens of thousands of tasks that go into delivering a functional, scalable app.
If your development team manages your project via Trello, spreadsheets, or ad-hoc tools, there’s a good chance they are under water. Look for teams with solid project workflows that keep tasks organized, deadlines clear, and deliverables transparent. The last thing you need is to lose app value by not delivering on key functionality.
4. They Push for Version Control with GitHub (or Equivalent)
Version control is a non-negotiable. A good app developer will use GitHub, GitLab, or similar platforms to manage code changes, track bugs, and collaborate effectively.
Think of version control as a safety net for your app’s source code. It prevents one developer from accidentally overwriting another’s work and provides a full history of every change made to your app.
If your app doesn’t have a version-controlled repository, you’re taking an unnecessary risk that could lead to data loss, bugs, or missed deadlines. Implement version controls today to maintain a high level of app value for your end-users.
5. Top App Developers Follow These Best Practices for Driving Long-Term Value
Here are the best practices that set top-tier developers apart and drive value for your app:
– Agile Development
Agile methodologies allow developers to release features in small, frequent iterations. This gives you the opportunity to test early, provide feedback, and course-correct before major resources are committed.
Instead of waiting months for a final build, Agile keeps your app moving forward while continuously testing and confirming value for newly released features.
– Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
An experienced team will focus on your MVP, the core version of your app that maximizes value through the bare minimum features. This approach ensures you’re not overspending on unnecessary features before you’ve validated your concept with users.
Developers focused on value-driven product development will help you:
- Prioritize features
- Optimize your budget
- Reach the market faster
- Iterate based on real user feedback
If your development partner isn’t talking about MVPs or iterative testing, they may focus more on billable hours than making value-driven decisions.
The Bottom Line
Finding a developer who understands both app development and value-driven design is critical. They should be strategic, value-driven, and smart, and not another vendor pushing code.
Look for developers who:
- Use modern, scalable technologies
- Prioritize efficient design tools like Figma
- Rely on robust project management systems like Jira
- Maintain proper version control
- Employ best practices like Agile and MVP strategies
Need help identifying the right app developer or planning your MVP?
We specialize in value-driven app development that’s focused on delivering business results. Contact us to build something meaningful together.
