Back

From Idea to Production: Our 4-Week Shipping Process

ShippingApps Team

Most development agencies promise fast delivery but struggle to execute. After shipping 50+ MVPs, we've refined our process to consistently deliver production-ready applications in 4-6 weeks without compromising quality.

Week 1: Foundation and Architecture

Discovery and Requirements (Days 1-2)

  • Stakeholder interviews and user story mapping
  • Technical requirements analysis
  • Competitive landscape review
  • Success metrics definition

Technical Planning (Days 3-5)

  • Architecture design and technology stack selection
  • Database schema and API design
  • Development environment setup
  • Project timeline finalization

Deliverable: Complete technical specification and project roadmap

Week 2: Core Development Sprint

Backend Development (Days 6-8)

  • Database setup and core models
  • Authentication and authorization systems
  • Primary API endpoints
  • Third-party integrations setup

Frontend Foundation (Days 9-12)

  • UI component library setup
  • Core page layouts and navigation
  • State management implementation
  • Responsive design framework

Deliverable: Working prototype with core functionality

Week 3: Feature Completion and Integration

Advanced Features (Days 13-15)

  • Business logic implementation
  • Advanced UI components
  • Real-time features (if required)
  • Payment processing integration

Testing and Refinement (Days 16-19)

  • Comprehensive testing suite
  • Performance optimization
  • Security audit and fixes
  • User experience refinements

Deliverable: Feature-complete application ready for staging

Week 4: Launch Preparation

Deployment Setup (Days 20-22)

  • Production environment configuration
  • CI/CD pipeline setup
  • Monitoring and logging implementation
  • Backup and disaster recovery plans

Launch and Handover (Days 23-25)

  • Production deployment
  • Team training and documentation
  • Launch monitoring and support
  • Performance metrics baseline

Deliverable: Live application with full documentation

Key Success Factors

1. Clear Communication

We maintain daily standup calls and provide real-time project updates through our custom dashboard.

2. Proven Technology Stack

We use battle-tested combinations:

  • Frontend: Next.js + Tailwind CSS
  • Backend: Node.js/Python + PostgreSQL
  • Infrastructure: Vercel/Railway + AWS
  • Monitoring: Sentry + LogRocket

3. Iterative Feedback Loops

Stakeholders review progress every 2-3 days, allowing for quick adjustments without derailing the timeline.

4. Risk Mitigation

We identify potential blockers early and always have contingency plans for complex integrations.

Real Client Example

Challenge: A fintech startup needed a loan management platform for small businesses.

Timeline: 4 weeks from kickoff to production

Results:

  • User authentication with bank-grade security
  • Loan application workflow with AI risk assessment
  • Admin dashboard with real-time analytics
  • Mobile-responsive design
  • 99.9% uptime in first 3 months

The client launched successfully and raised their Series A within 6 months.

Quality Assurance Standards

Every project includes:

  • Automated Testing: Unit, integration, and E2E tests
  • Code Review: All code reviewed by senior developers
  • Security Scanning: Automated vulnerability detection
  • Performance Testing: Load testing for expected traffic
  • Accessibility Compliance: WCAG 2.1 AA standards

Post-Launch Support

We don't disappear after launch:

  • 30 days of bug fixes and performance monitoring
  • Technical documentation and handover sessions
  • Optional ongoing development and scaling support
  • Architecture review sessions for future features

Ready to see our process in action? We're confident enough in our methodology that we offer milestone-based payments—you only pay as we deliver results.

Contact us to discuss your project and get a detailed timeline for your specific requirements.

Build your next idea with us

We help founders ship MVPs in weeks, not months.

Start a Project