How Many Steps Does It Take to Launch an App?
If you’ve ever developed an app, led a UX design project, or managed a product from idea to launch, you know the journey is rarely linear. It’s a mix of planning, iteration, unexpected detours, and—at times—a frantic race to the finish.
Watching the classic Tootsie Pop commercial got me thinking: launching a project is a lot like asking, “How many licks does it take to get to the center?”
At the start, everything seems simple. You’ve got an idea, a vision, maybe even a wireframe or prototype. Just like unwrapping a Tootsie Pop, it feels exciting—a fresh start full of potential.
One… Two…
Then reality kicks in. User needs shift, goals evolve, stakeholders have new requests. Development reveals unforeseen challenges—APIs don’t work as expected, edge cases pop up, accessibility needs refining. Suddenly, your smooth path turns into an obstacle course.
Three!
Now comes the make-or-break moment. You can push forward blindly (the equivalent of the owl taking a giant bite), or you can pause, reassess, and iterate. Great UX isn’t rushed—it’s tested, refined, and validated.
Some teams rush to the finish line, shipping a product that barely holds together. Others take too long, stuck in analysis paralysis. The best teams find a balance—moving quickly while ensuring the core experience is rock solid before launch.
So, how many steps does it take to build a great app?
It depends. Every project is different, and no two journeys are the same. But one thing is certain—the process matters just as much as the final product.
