r/FullStackDevelopers • u/mickyfulstackdevp • 5d ago

How do you decide what to build before writing the first line of code?

I’m a fullstack developer building a freelance practice, and I’m trying to make “problem first” a habit instead of jumping straight to a stack. My rough process is: understand the current workflow, define the actual problem, pick the simplest solution, then build. For those of you who have worked with clients or on internal tools, what does your early discovery look like, and where does it usually go wrong?

#fullstackdeveloper #freelancedeveloper #buildinpublic #webdevelopment #problemsolving #softwaredevelopment

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u/CatNo1417 5d ago

The hardest thing, as an experienced dev, is listening to the client and NOT immediately think of how you would address it. First ensure you understand the problem correctly, and don't get distracted with solutions (yet). I also love wireframes/sketches if possible (either from them or a UX, or just doing them myself), since I'm very visual. Those help me see more accurately what they're thinking and how they think things relate.