New web-based App - Where to source design template..

[Domo]

I have an idea for a web-based application but I need to transform the idea from OneNote bullet points and lists into something a designer/architect can build from.

Is there a standard document or format I should be aware of? Or is it a case of first sourcing a developer and then asking them for their preference?

 

[touch]

It would depend on the developer. For a large/complex project, you'd usually work with an analyst to create a requirements spec similar to this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_requirements_specification
Analyst would be part of the software company you deal with, you dont need to find separate analysts + developers

If it's a small/simple project (maybe something that one dev would work on alone), you might find that they just have a quick discussion to work out what you want then work from that.

 

[Domo]

Thanks. It’s definitely the latter though it will scale over time.

 

[Randomface74]

You will eventually get to the stage where you sit down with a developer, or someone who's job it is to collect requirements on their behalf. It's a specialist skill, people are horrible at getting requirements right. You should prepare yourself by having as little ambiguity as possible in your notes. There's no particular format for that, but it might help to draw pictures of what it looks like in your head. Think about who's going to maintain it and how much that will cost. Think about how you'll handle it being more, or less, successful than you anticipate.

If you get this wrong, there'll be a cost to put it right. The developer will bill you hourly for "oh I meant it should be like this".