How to get around not knowing how to code?

Same problem here. Specifically, I don't know how much coding will even be needed in the first place with my concept... same situation again with the hairy beast (hopefully a different one!), but I told myself that I need to source smart and keep costs low.

I have the same problem (a lack of coding skill), and the concern that coders will run away with my baby for my lack of knowledge.

I have decided to attempt a blind method -- no outsource will know the entire scope, just their part. This model means I need to think through the functions of the final app in all its parts. This echoes the preious poster: "to know what needs coding and why."

My first outsource will be a theorist -- someone who understands what code goes where, if such-and-such is the desired outcome. The theorist informs my outline and defines how the code is notated for any that follow.

Standards for code notation will allow all newcomers to shorten the time needed to familiarize themselves with the existing code.

My outline informs the parts, based on the initial theory. Each part is coded by a different coder. All coders are expected to notate to the aforementioned standard.

This method may be more expensive, affecting the break-even. On the upside, I can fund the parts separately, as I can afford to.

I consider these extraordinary costs as the offset to the time spent learning to code, then the additional time spent to become proficient in bug-fixing due to green skills. I am free to work on marketing challenges.

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The language you use ("ass in chair coding" and "spread my cheeks") indicates you're probably a douchebag who has no understanding of or respect for what that work actually is. This means no engineer worth a damn will want to associate with you. You might get a 25-y-o Rails or Node "craftsman" or "code artisan" zombie who cares more about their text editor than about application security, reliability and performance. Which is good, because the fewer of those morons are on the market, the better off we are.

Educate yourself. Talk to good engineers and you may learn the best work doesn't come from ass in seat coding. This isn't entry level call center or inside sales crap.

Your whole post is as dumb as someone describing running a business as "ass in seat making PowerPoint decks."

My god, you are dangerously ignorant of what you're doing.

You wouldn't be "Just" learning to code. You are seriously underestimating the depth and breadth of technical expertise that is required to turn a vision into a product -- especially in HEALTHCARE. Regulations add layers of complexity to any product development, especially in healthcare.

You can solo climb mount everest on your own without oxygen , but it doesn't mean you should. On the other hand, if that seems like your only viable option then welcome to the club! "Just" make it happen.

Leverage your great network to find people who have experience working in software in the area you're focusing on.

Talk to those people to see if they, or someone they would recommend, might be interested in a startup.

Find one or more advisers who can help you in the vetting process.

Understand that in all fields of expertise - there is simply adequate vs. being expert. A coder can be adequate on the business side, but is rarely expert. An expert on the business side is equally rarely an expert coder.

I also notice you make no mention whatsoever of product management or marketing. This is a serious hole.

These roles are important because someone has to convert your strategic vision and the software architect's lines of code into what the product actually will be. This means removing stupid crap that you think you need, but don't really as well as keeping the development team focused.

You "sound" like you are not ready for this. And I agree with the above comment, would be more entertaining to watch you dump money into the river. Trust Miyagi Sensei on this one; I once instructed Daniel San to do this, and he thankfully got the point before he wasted any further precious time or car-washing money. (Long story, you don't need the details.) Your other off-base comments aren't even worth responding to, so I'll just karate chop right over those and try to be objective and helpful: Maybe you can start with a smaller problem, with abundant social proof behind it that you worked diligently to uncover, for something that's much more feasible to solve?

Before you tame a tiger, understand the cat.

-Mr. Miyagi

I'm a software engineer and I'm not offended by the "*ss in chair" comment, that's how most coding gets done. However, there's much more to building software than just sitting and coding.

My advice is to find a professional software engineer local to you, someone who's already working a full time job but who is willing to sit down with you over a series of lunches and discuss what you want to create. Don't worry about them stealing your idea, they already have a full time job, and they don't want a second one.

Someone who's already working in the profession will be able to give you a realistic estimate of time, complexity and baseline cost. Once you've established a relationship, they may believe in your idea enough to want to be involved or they may know someone who would like to partner with you.

Good Luck!! I hope you succeed.

Hello. I am the original poster. Didn't mean to offend coders. A previous poster got what I meant, "ass in chair" simply means they see the vision and are willing to sweat "ass in chair" with me. "Spread cheeks" refers to those who take advantage of others who do not have their skills. I was not really worried about anyone stealing my idea simply because most people don't like big hairy problems. And if they do they usually have ideas of their own they are chasing.

However, I see a trend on this thread that leans heavily towards my networking until I meet the right fit.......which is good because even if I put in 4 hours a day in learning code it would probably take me a solid 1.5-2 years to become a 1/10 of a decent coder.

Thanks for all the response. If you've more wisdom for me feel free to add it as I check this site daily.

You may or may not be good at coding, not everyone is so learning is a high risk choice. Very few people are good at code and good at business. There are some, like there are some who are good at graphic design and good at code, but it doesn't sound like you can afford those people - they are very expensive.

In fact it doesn't sound like you have any actual money. The last time someone said "skin in the game" to me at the end of their pitch deck thingy was when they wanted me to donate my time as an investment in their idea. I said no.

Get some money and build a prototype with a freelance dev who will cost you more than you want to pay and then go away to code on something else. You have proof of concept to go and pitch for some actual proper money with which you can hire a space, buy some desks and pay some salaries.

Until then it's all just more BS from another wise guy who works in marketing or has just finished a business degree.

Tech resource is just like any other. If you were setting up a gardening business would you expect to approach a bunch of gardeners and get them to work for free for a stake in the thing? Nope. You would make a business plan and get a loan. If your big fat hairy (scary) idea is so good you can raise the cash and if you can't you won't.

Good coders get approached all the time with this sort of nonsense.

Create a basic version in zoho creator or knack hq - drag and drop app building tools

As an ex-health care tech consultant (for a big4), I'd say maybe looking at poaching some of the guys there? They hire a lot of compsci guys and try to turn them into business analysts. So they'll have the prod mgmt / requirements knowledge and most are itching to build something with impact. (they should have architecture + coding abilities)

And if you're lucky, you might find someone (technical) who would already have the industry domain expertise, which means they will get the big picture quickly.

A simple search on LinkedIn should yield some fruit. Just look for 'health care practice'.

Good luck!