Digital logic diagrams are often overlooked in the software development process. Generally, most companies write requirement specifications, define user journeys, and start the design process. Digital logic diagrams can elaborate the system flow and possibilities in a visual form, ensuring all design and development team members are on the same page and understand the flow of the application.

Avoid confusion and conflicts when designing software

Different companies and teams adopt other development procedures and models based on the experience and skillset their team possesses. Business managers are generally good with documentation and they rely more on the documents while designers would like to design interfaces. Spending a little time drawing the logic diagrams is worth it.  

Tools to design digital logic diagrams

I have been using https://draw.io for a long time to draw logic diagrams for the software I design. It's a free tool, very easy to use and I believe anyone can use it. As of now, since I am designing mostly in Figma. I am using Figma's tool Figjam to draw the diagrams. It's quite similar to Draw.io and even easier to use. Its integration with Figma helps.

What should be done first and last?

So what should we do first? Again it depends on a team, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they want to go about it. If you ask me I would do it in the following flow:

1- Requirement Specifications Document
The first thing I would do is to write the requirements of the software. Application objectives, features, targeted user types, and business logic should be penned down.

2- Digital Logic Diagrams
Based on the requirements document, design a logical flow of the application from start to finish.

3-  Design UI
Once we have the requirement specifications and digital logic diagrams we can start with the UI of the application.  

Once the UI is completed and approved by all stakeholders, it's handed over to the developers to start the development.

One of the reasons for failures in software development is to clarify and elaborate on the possibilities and scenarios in the application. This results in gaps in the application logic causing issues.

What is your application development process? Let me know what you think about designing applications that fit their purpose and are easy to work with.