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Another Facebook Application does not an application spec make

When we build Facebook applications we always start with a spec.

A spec is a document that details the complete application user flow and provides the technical details necessary to put together a functional back end and stay with Facebook’s ever-morphing application terms of service. Basically it’s like a blueprint for your house.

We’ve talked with some clients who want to work from another Facebook application instead of first doing a spec.

I get the logic: “Here is a complete application that is already on Facebook. We know it conforms to the terms of service (or is not yet shut down) and we know how popular it already is. Why do I need to pay money to have someone write out the functionality when they can just look at it in action?”

Aside from the obvious possible pitfalls of simply cloning someone else’s application, ranging from possible copyright issues to opening yourself up to getting bashed the reviews, you’re only looking at half the picture when you’re using an application.

While the user flow is important to every application, it’s equally (if not more) important to have a complete framework for what the app requires technically. The plumbing, if you’ll allow me to continue the construction metaphor, needs to be planned out before you start nailing planks of wood together.

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