HotShots Labs

We start with a discovery phase before any estimate is final. In workshops with the client’s stakeholders, we cover the business goals behind the app, who the users are, and what success looks like after launch. Then we turn that into user stories with acceptance criteria and a prioritized scope that separates the MVP from later phases.

During development, requirements keep being validated. The client sees working builds every sprint, so we can catch gaps early. New requests go through a lightweight change process with a clear impact on time and cost, so nothing grows silently.

We treat every feature as a means to a business outcome, not an end in itself. At the start of each project, we agree with the client on what the app needs to achieve.

In practice, that means:

• Goal-driven scope. Every feature in the backlog is linked to a business objective. When budget or time is tight, we can recommend what to cut or postpone based on impact, not only effort.
• Regular check-ins on direction, not just progress. Sprint demos cover what was built, but we also review whether priorities still match the client’s strategy. 

We work in an Agile way, using Scrum-based practices adapted to each project’s size and contract model.

Our communication setup usually includes:

• A dedicated point of contact. Each client has one project lead who owns communication.
• Weekly written updates. A short summary of what was completed, what’s next, and any risks or decisions needed from the client. 
• Shared tools. Clients get access to the project board and test builds through TestFlight and Google Play internal testing, so they can check progress and try the app at any time.
• A shared Slack channel (or the client’s preferred tool) for quick day-to-day questions.

Our default rhythm is:

• Weekly: a short sync call (around 30 minutes) with the client’s main contact, plus a written status update summarizing progress, next steps, and any decisions needed.
• Every two weeks: a sprint demo and planning session
• Daily, as needed: async communication in a shared Slack channel for quick questions, with replies during business hours.

We adjust this to each client. Some founders prefer more frequent touchpoints during critical phases, such as before a launch. Others want fewer meetings and rely mostly on written updates. 

Quality is built into our development process, not added at the end. Our QA practices cover the code, the app’s behavior, and its stability after release.

Testing

• Automated tests at three levels supported by Flutter: unit tests for business logic, widget tests for UI components, and integration tests for critical user flows like sign-up, payments, and onboarding.
• Manual testing on real devices across a range of iOS and Android models and screen sizes, because emulators don’t catch everything.
• Regression testing before each release, to make sure new features don’t break existing ones.

We identify risks as early as possible, because the cheapest risk to manage is one found before development starts.

Identifying risks

• During discovery, our lead developer reviews the scope for technical risks: complex integrations, unclear third-party APIs, hardware features like Bluetooth or NFC, and anything we haven’t built before. Uncertain items are flagged in the estimate, not hidden in it.
• Mobile-specific risks are planned for from the start, including App Store and Google Play review guidelines, privacy and permission requirements, and platform policy changes.

Warranty period
After launch, we fix any bugs in the delivered scope at no extra cost for 2 weeks. This covers issues that appear once real users start using the app.

Ongoing maintenance
Mobile apps need regular upkeep to keep working. Our maintenance covers:

• OS and device updates. Adapting the app to new iOS and Android versions and new devices.
• Flutter and dependency upgrades. Keeping the framework and third-party packages up to date, secure, and compatible.
• Monitoring and bug fixes. Tracking crashes and errors and fixing issues as they come up.