Map a customer's task and review the interface of an MVP or custom software product before polished screens hide gaps in the workflow.
A fast prototype can look ready while a customer still cannot finish the task. Start with where the user arrives, what they need to know, what they can do, and how they recover when something goes wrong.
You will map one full journey, review wireframes and interface states, and decide what to test with a real user before paying for more visual polish.
The same review works for a designer's proposal, an agency build, or an interface produced with AI coding tools.
We use this guide in Brownsmith's own team training. The tools are available to anyone; the creative work is choosing what fits the problem and knowing how to judge the result.
Non-technical founders working with consultants, developers, agencies, freelancers, or AI coding agents.
No engineering experience is required. Bring a product idea, proposal, or existing software decision to examine.
Put the guide to work
Review a complete user journey with realistic content and failure states before approving visual polish. Produce a reviewable flow and screen-state checklist before visual polish begins.
Illustrative product or service: A client portal where a small agency collects project approvals
Continue the decision path
Research the user and the current workaround. Decide whether a process change, SaaS, open source, or a custom MVP is justified.