Managing Developers as a Non-Tech Founder
You do not need to be technical to manage a development project well. Here is what matters.
Communication Best Practices
- Be specific about what you want (use screenshots, examples)
- Write requirements in a document, not just verbal conversations
- Ask for demos every week to see progress
- Give feedback early - do not wait until the end
Tools You Should Use
| Purpose | Recommended Tool |
|---|---|
| Task tracking | Trello, Linear, Jira |
| Communication | Slack, WhatsApp |
| Documents | Notion, Google Docs |
| Design feedback | Figma comments |
| Video calls | Google Meet, Zoom |
Setting Clear Expectations
- Define the scope in writing before starting
- Set milestones with specific deliverables
- Agree on timeline and communication frequency
- Define "done" for each feature clearly
- Budget for changes - scope always evolves
Common Mistakes Non-Tech Founders Make
- Changing requirements every week without adjusting timeline
- Micromanaging technical decisions
- Not testing deliverables before approving
- Comparing developer speed to YouTube tutorials
- Skipping documentation
The Best Developer-Founder Relationship
The best outcomes happen when founders focus on what they need and trust developers with how to build it.
Start your project with clear communication - I make working together easy.