how to commission a programmer?

[w13w]

how well planed my project must be before I commission a programmer ?

I never commission a programmer before!

I have a project for a learning software and it requires work of a professional programmer. I would like to know how should I show the project to a programmer to elaborate a budget.

I would ask for the programmer to help with the planning and then for a prototype.

here is some of my ideas for how to illustrate the project:
1) make a video simulation of the main features of the program, showing the desirable behaviors.
2) make a map of what would be in the work space with the explanation of every button, tool and menus.
3) references: show other programs with similar desirable behavior that I want.

I know a little bit of how programming works but no programming language :
"when you click this button this action must be done if the target has the value >= 2
if the value is <2 do this other action"
as you can see very little, but it's better than nothing.

Can someone give some advices please ?

[Raptire]

What you are looking for is a computer scientist. Programmers usually have to know exactly what you want them to do as they often lack the knowledge to correctly plan and assess the Work.
The Computer Scientist will go into the planning stage together with you. Basically you just tell him what you want the program to do and he will try to get as much information as he can to plan out a project conforming to your wishes. I got to see examples of the client speaking of sparkles and miracles before they wrote down the essentials.

What I want to say is just go see a Computer scientist and explain as detailed as you can what you want to have and you will go through the process of forming a list of wishes you want to have implemented. Based on that he will plan out the Implementing process and will give you an estimated needed budget.
Keep in mind professionals are expensive, but the initial dialog should be free.
Otherwise I suggest you search for volunteers who will form a group with you to create the Program. Of course you will have to split income accordingly as partners not as client.

[everette00]

At 3/17/13 11:07 AM, Raptire wrote: What you are looking for is a computer scientist. Programmers usually have to know exactly what you want them to do as they often lack the knowledge to correctly plan and assess the Work.

What drivel are you spouting? There may be differences between CS majors and, say, a CiS major, but that doesn't mean that someone who has a degree other than CS can't do work by themselves or won't know what to do. Also, by-the-way, any time you hire an employee, you're the boss. And by being the boss, you have to communicate to the employee, degree or experience, or otherwise, what you want done and when.

The Computer Scientist will go into the planning stage together with you. Basically you just tell him what you want the program to do and he will try to get as much information as he can to plan out a project conforming to your wishes. I got to see examples of the client speaking of sparkles and miracles before they wrote down the essentials.

This is the same whether you're a CS major or someone majored in Web Development. Again, the boss knows what they want done and how it should all look. I'm currently working on a website for a local company, and my employer did the same thing. I'm a Data Processing, Programming and Systems major, which isn't CS.

What I want to say is just go see a Computer scientist and explain as detailed as you can what you want to have and you will go through the process of forming a list of wishes you want to have implemented. Based on that he will plan out the Implementing process and will give you an estimated needed budget.

Again, this isn't unique to CS majors. Where do you come up with this? And are you so hoity-toity to think that this is only possible with CS majors?

Keep in mind professionals are expensive, but the initial dialog should be free.
Otherwise I suggest you search for volunteers who will form a group with you to create the Program. Of course you will have to split income accordingly as partners not as client.

I guess this is the only piece of truth of helpful information you've provided.

To the OP, look for people with both credible experience on places like Reddit or LinkIn. Create mock-up designs for the project in photoshop or gimp, with a companion word document to explain everything (use descriptors such as "figure 1.", explaining what each figure is).

Videos can help, because if textual descriptions in your own words can't accurately describe your project, or confuse people, a video can help point things out.

Yes, referencing what other projects have done in the past help greatly, as there is a chance someone has use that program and know what it was like to use that feature.

Think about what platforms and how you want to deliver your application to customers. Then, look around and ask forums what technologies would aid development, and what languages would be best for that particular program or software. After you get the information you need, then look for developers that match those skills and are proficient in developing using those technologies that you think may be beneficial.

Once you have found potential candidates, interview them in-person. An in-person interview will allow to see how they talk, think and act. Ask them how they would tackle certain situations, or what happens if they get stuck. Also, ask them what their background experience consists of and how that experience can apply to this job.

Good luck!

[Patcoola]

At 3/16/13 10:38 PM, w13w wrote: Can someone give some advices please ?

Look up the Software Development Life Cycle.
This should give you a good look into everything the developer must or should do.

[w13w]

At 3/17/13 11:07 AM, Raptire wrote:

Keep in mind professionals are expensive, but the initial dialog should be free.

thank you very much : )

[w13w]

At 3/17/13 05:08 PM, Patcoola wrote:

At 3/16/13 10:38 PM, w13w wrote: Can someone give some advices please ?

Look up the Software Development Life Cycle.
This should give you a good look into everything the developer must or should do.

thank you for this vital information.
with this I'll be able to better communicate with the programmer.

[w13w]

At 3/17/13 02:29 PM, everette00 wrote::
Then, look around and ask forums what technologies would aid development, and what languages would be best for that particular program or software.

awesome advices everette00 : O
thank you so much

[everette00]

At 3/18/13 01:19 PM, w13w wrote: At 3/17/13 02:29 PM, everette00 wrote::
Then, look around and ask forums what technologies would aid development, and what languages would be best for that particular program or software.

awesome advices everette00 : O
thank you so much

No problem. Glad to help.

[PMMurphy]

I'll be your man!

AHh i joke i only know java and my GUI's look like shit.