How to determine the necessary functionality of the application

At this stage, it is necessary to formulate the purpose and tasks that the application solves. In other words, you need to understand why you are creating a program for mobile devices. Please note that this issue should not be considered from a business point of view. Everyone knows that behind formulations like “improve the quality of service” and “provide comfort to smartphone owners” hides a specific business goal: to stimulate sales. But it will not help to plan the functionality of the program.

Consider the purpose and objectives of the application from the client’s perspective. Determine for what purpose the audience representative will install and use the application. Find tasks that ensure the achievement of this goal.

For example, if you have an online store, the purpose of the mobile application can be formulated as follows: to provide customers with the opportunity to choose and buy goods from a smartphone or tablet. The following tasks should ensure the achievement of the goal:

The app should have easy navigation. The client should be able to search for products by categories, specified parameters, manufacturers.

The program should have a convenient shopping block: shopping cart, payment system, order status tracking.

The application needs a personal account. It will have sections “Purchase History”, “Wishes”, “Favorites”.

With the help of push notifications, the client will receive messages about new arrivals of goods and promotions.

In the “Information” section, the user will be able to read news and reviews.

Have you already guessed that the formulation of goals and objectives determines the functionality of the future application? By the way, don’t waste time on the measurability and achievability of the goal. At the moment, you are planning the functions of the program, and not doing SMART analysis.

Also, do not waste time planning the design, appearance of icons and buttons, screen layout. You will use template solutions. Application designers allow you to choose one of the ready-made layouts and fill it with content.

Practice yourself to formulate the purpose and objectives of creating different types of applications. For example, write down the wording for programs created for content projects, forums, services.