Rapid Application Development

Rapid software prototyping

Hemmingway can help you validate ideas, test assumptions and explore solutions before committing to full-scale development.

Enquire now

Test your ideas before the expense and risk of a full build

Building the wrong software is expensive. Rapid prototyping allows you to validate ideas, test assumptions and explore solutions before committing to full-scale development.

Working prototypes

Traditional planning can take months. Rapid prototyping compresses discovery, design and validation into a matter of weeks. Our definition of prototype extends from low-fi wireframes, hand-drawn on butcher's paper, through to basic working applications with logic and data. It all comes down to budget, need and time.

High fidelity branded mockup

A digital product prototype can be as simple as a wireframe focused on functionality and user flows, or as sophisticated as a fully branded experience that reflects your final product. By incorporating your brand identity, colours, typography, imagery and user interface design, a high-fidelity prototype allows stakeholders to experience the product in a realistic way, resulting in better feedback and greater confidence before development begins.

User testing services

The best way to know if something works is to put it in front of real users. We rapidly create professional-looking hosted prototypes fast in wireframes, figma or code. Then structured user testing can be employed to validate ideas, uncover friction points and improve the overall experience before significant development investment is made. faster to adopt and more likely to succeed.

Your vision delivered

Every rapid prototyping engagement begins with a collaborative workshop led by our strategy and UX team. Together, we'll explore your goals, users, business processes and technical requirements to determine whether rapid prototyping is the right approach. You'll walk away with clear recommendations, mapped user journeys, prioritised opportunities and a shared understanding ofwhat you prototype should be.

Low-code applications

We use best-of-breed low-code tools such as to rapidly prototype custom solutions, helping you validate ideas faster with considerably lower cost of traditional development. This can be used to create a tangible artefact for selling your ideas or be used to create alignment early in the project.

What's next

Your investment is incorporated into the broader project and forms part of the foundation for your production application. This means the work isn't thrown away, it's refined, expanded and used to accelerate delivery of the final product, reducing risk, saving time and creating a smoother path from concept to launch. Typically project cost is reducd by as a much as 25 per cent.

How we work together

Our team of 25 digital experts includes Strategists, UX Specialists, Designers, Developers, DevOps Engineers, QA Testers and Project Managers, all working collaboratively to deliver exceptional results. We go above and beyond for each of our customers, with no exceptions. We want you to want to be with us long-term. Our flexible support SLA's and ‘no-lock-in contracts’ policy are testament to this.

Backed by more than 20 years' senior-level expertise

All work is overseen by our Senior Management Team, who are commercially savvy and have more than 20 years' each in enterprise software delivery.

Proven, established and the perfect size

We've been here since 2001, and won't disappear overnight. As a close-knit team of around 20 experts, we provide the hands on service and flexibility of a boutique provider, with the expertise of a larger consultancy.

Flexible support without lock-in contracts

Technology needs change over time. Our no lock-in approach gives you the freedom to scale, adapt, and evolve your systems without being tied to rigid agreements or unnecessary services.

The certainty of a fixed-cost project

We offer the certainty of a fixed-cost price for your project based on scope, or the flexibility of time and materials engagement when required.

What clients say

It’s rare to find a team this capable who care about solving problems, not just delivering a project.

Shane Rigney

Head of Enterprise Solutions

Allens Linklaters

Featured success stories

Case studies from our portfolio of 150+ web software projects delivered over 23 years in the industry.

View more work

Medical Jobs Australia

Recruitment marketplace in health for high-volume, search-driven job discovery in Australia, USA, NZ and the UK.

John Holland Group

Future-proofing digital infrastructure with Umbraco, multi-site, re-platforming.

JB Hi-Fi

Fullstack software engineering and integration services for leading Australian retailer.

View more work

Frequently Asked Questions

Need more information about our services and how it works.

How much will my custom web project cost?

Project cost depends on the complexity of the software being built. A small to mid-complexity website built to enterprise standards typically ranges from $25K–$60K + GST. These projects usually take two to four months with a team of three, and include UX, creative design, frontend and backend development, QA, enterprise CMS, DevOps, cloud infrastructure, web forms, and a simple integration.

More complex enterprise platforms typically range from $100K–$250K+ GST and take four to nine months to deliver. This includes SaaS products, enterprise systems, marketplaces, searchable directories, and operational platforms. These projects often involve extensive custom software, dashboards, multi-user permissions, advanced integrations, automation and AI features, payment systems, scalability, security, and robust cloud infrastructure.

Vendor-grade software designed for large-scale user bases requires an even higher level of investment. These projects demand rigorous compliance, tight release cycles, dedicated QA and testing, full-time project management and business analysis, detailed documentation, and advanced UX/UI systems such as component-driven design frameworks. The additional complexity and operational overhead significantly increase the overall cost.

What hidden costs should I look out for on my web project?

Hidden costs in custom software projects are usually predictable — if the project is properly planned from the start.

Be cautious of vague estimates or unusually low quotes. In many cases, hidden complexity sits within integrations, legacy systems, and unclear technical requirements. That’s why we invest time early in discovery and technical planning, identifying risks before development begins. Poorly defined requirements also increase the likelihood of scope changes and project variations later in the build. Clear planning upfront reduces surprises, keeps budgets under control, and improves delivery certainty.

Clients should also consider ongoing operational costs such as cloud hosting, infrastructure maintenance, software patching, end-of-life upgrades, and third-party licensing. For example, high-volume SMS notifications, payment gateways, AI services, or CDN infrastructure can introduce additional usage-based costs.

Beyond the platform itself, there may also be future marketing, SEO, and growth costs to factor into long-term digital success.

How long will my software project take?

Too often we are asked to rescue someone else's software project, and we hear the same story: “We were told the project would take a few months. Now it’s dragged on far beyond the original timeline, with no clear end in sight.”

At Hemmingway, we focus on identifying hidden complexity early and delivering with clarity, speed, and accountability. We like to surface work as soon as possible for review and feedback on a demo or staging server. Our approach is built around clarity in technical planning, realistic timelines, MVP-first thinking, frequent demos, and milestone-based delivery — so you always know where the project stands. If speed to market matters, we’d love to talk.

How do I know you'll build it the right way?

Building the right software starts with a clear, shared understanding of the problem you’re solving. Before development begins, we work closely with you to map workflows, define requirements, and uncover hidden complexity early. Through workshops, wireframes, prototypes, and regular feedback sessions, we align stakeholders before major development starts.

You’ll see your system come to life in real UI screens early in the process, giving you confidence in exactly what’s being built before development and QA accelerate. Our iterative delivery approach also means you’ll see progress regularly — not months later at final release. Frequent demos and feedback loops allow us to test ideas early, refine the solution as we go, reduce project risk, and deliver software that creates genuine value for your business and users.

Who will be designing and building my software?

With 23 years of experience in custom web software, every project is overseen by our senior development team based in Sydney and Brisbane. We don’t outsource projects offshore or hand work between unknown contractors — everything is delivered in-house by our own team.

Our teams are made up of specialists with deep expertise in their field, rather than generalists wearing multiple hats. That means your backend developer isn’t designing interfaces, and your UX specialist isn’t writing database code. Each role is handled by experienced professionals focused on what they do best. A typical project team includes:

Product Managers to shape scope and roadmaps;
UX/UI Specialists to design intuitive user experiences;
Project Managers to coordinate delivery and communication;
Software Architects to lead technical direction;
Specialist frontend and backend developers to build the platform;
QA specialists who rigorously test the solution before launch.

What happpens if my priorities change?

Priorities often change during software projects as businesses evolve, new ideas emerge, or market conditions shift. That’s why we use a flexible, staged delivery approach that allows priorities to be reviewed and refined throughout the project, rather than locking everything in on day one. When priorities change, we work closely with you to assess the impact on scope, timelines, and budget before major adjustments are made. Through clear communication, phased delivery, and ongoing prioritisation, we keep projects moving forward while adapting to changing business needs.

Where possible, we’ll accommodate smaller changes within the existing fixed scope at no additional cost — that is always our goal. If a change requires significant rework or additional development effort, we’ll provide a transparent project variation and re-quote the work as fairly and cost-effectively as possible.

Do you offer support and maintenance SLA's?

Software requires ongoing maintenance to remain secure, stable, and performant. Applications need updating, integrations evolve, databases require backups, and operating system or browser changes can create compatibility issues over time. Businesses also need new features and enhancements as operations grow and change — all of which can place significant pressure on internal IT teams.

By outsourcing support to us, you gain access to an experienced software team that becomes an extension of your business. We proactively monitor, maintain, optimise, and improve your systems, helping reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and protect business continuity across legacy platforms, off-the-shelf software, and custom applications.

Our flexible, no lock-in approach gives you the freedom to scale support as needed, without rigid contracts or unnecessary overhead. Whether you need a monthly maintenance plan, discounted blocks of support hours, or a fully tailored support arrangement, we can adapt to suit your operational needs.

Who we work with