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I don't handle this kind of stuff for my current business, but when I was self-employed, or if I were to go back to individual contracting, I'd be more flexible than this. If someone wants to bring a contractor in, it's probably because they don't know exactly what they want (otherwise they'd get code monkeys to just write it), so answering most of those points is part of the brief. I'd get a rough idea of what they wanted, how long they expected it to take to get there and how much money they were prepared to throw at me, and then if it seemed like a job worth taking I'd get into the details of platform, technology stack etc and what the requirements might be.
If you nail everything down at the start you can guarantee it won't be like that any more by the middle, never mind the end. Better to clue the client in on that up front so you can work with changing requirements, not against them.
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I've been doing this for almost 30 years, most of it self employed. I totally disagree with you.
First, there is NEVER flexibility. If the customer wants a change, they pay. As soon as they waiver from the contract or specs, they pay. I don't work for free, and I don't give away code. I learned this many years ago when customers started "moving target software" where they change their minds in mid development and don't think they should pay for it. If you don't charge for each change, they keep asking for more and bigger "freebies". I specify very clearly in my contracts that I will NOT develop any code other than what's in the specs.
Second, I ask these question because you simply CANNOT write an app with a vague idea. If they don't know what they want, then we figure it our before we start. You CANNOT develop what the customer doesn't know. So I'm hoping to solicit more questions to ensure that I'm not missing something.
I agree that you cannot "If you nail everything down at the start", but the questions I ask in that questionnaire are a real good starting point.
If someone wants to bring a contractor in, it's probably because they don't know exactly what they want "
Not true at all. Think about your statement. You just said "I'm not sure what I want, so I'll hire some guy who charges more than average to do it".
There are many reasons clients use contractors, and never once did one of my clients call me to develop an app because they didn't know what they wanted. The primary reasons clients use customers are they don't need to hire someone full time for a one-and-done job.
I'd get a rough idea of what they wanted, how long they expected it to take to get there and how much money they were prepared to throw at me, and then if it seemed like a job worth taking I'd get into the details of platform, technology stack etc and what the requirements might be.
Totally backwards. How can you possibly discuss time & money when you don't know thing like the technology stack and don't know the requirements?
At any rate, the point of my post was to see what other questions people out there ask.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
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Well, fine. I'm not sure why you made a post asking for thoughts if you're going to respond to my thoughts like that, though.
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You should go back and re-read my post.
I didn't ask anyone how to run a business. I asked if there were any technical questions other people ask.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
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For first time about to leave though. Anyone still using my CPForAndroid? I love it. Just when I thought the code was bad I upgraded my phone to MAXX (when it first came out a year ago? 6 months ago??) and it still works. I know its basic but it still allows me to hang CP style ![Green Alien | [Alien]](https://www.codeproject.com/script/Forums/Images/alien.gif)
modified 30-Sep-14 17:53pm.
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JoeSox wrote: Anyone still using my CPForAndroid? I love it.
You'd better! Otherwise, I'd report you to the owner.  Don't browse CP on a mobile non-desktop, but when I did try it, it was useful.
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Time to move to Iceland...
Alberto Brandolini: The amount of energy necessary to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than to produce it.
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Yes. Those petrified people in Pompeii never caught ebola.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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Actually, it was a reference to Plague Inc, a game where you try to destroy the world with a plague.
Iceland is particularly hard to infect: Only an infrequently visited sea-port (no airport) with no land borders, a cold climate with good healthcare - much easier to start the game in hot poor countries with bad health systems so people normally start with viruses able to infect those.
Alberto Brandolini: The amount of energy necessary to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than to produce it.
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Hey, I still play DooM, so don't expect me to be up to date with the latest game news...
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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Doom - what's that? Commander Keen and his Bacon and Beans Megarocket!
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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Everyone on the planes needs to be put into isolation wards. Is this being done?
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Aren't you glad they let those infected people back into the US?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
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A lot of European lines have halted flights to these countries. It just isn't worth the risk.
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Munchies_Matt wrote: A lot of European lines have halted flights to these countries. It just isn't worth the risk.
and the U.S. should do the same; until this epidemic is contained.
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They should have done that MONTHS ago. Now, we have 200+ people that were on the airplane and their families, any anyone at an airport where the plane may have had a layover before arriving in Dallas, not to mention anyone that continued on after Dallas.
Factor in the massive and crowded airports we have here, and it's been what, a week since the guy arrived back in the country?
It's already too late to "stop it in its tracks".
This mortning on the news, I heard a CDC guy say it was "mildly contagious". What a laugh...
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013
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John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote: They should have done that MONTHS ago.
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I've seen this movie. It doesn't end well for most of us.
My plan is to live forever ... so far so good
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DJ van Wyk wrote: I've seen this movie. It doesn't end well for most of us.
Now, will I turn into a slow moving zombie or will I be fast and agile like the ones' in WWZ? That is the question. 
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beat me to it - Zombie time...
Charlie Gilley
<italic>Stuck in a dysfunctional matrix from which I must escape...
"Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
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charlieg wrote: Zombie time...
 Ebola already mutated to T-Virus?
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Ha, April Fools. You fell for it. 
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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I hope you are right. In any sane world, that can be the only possible truth.
TTFN - Kent
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