Don't skip the wireframing stage

Wireframing costs almost nothing compared to rebuilding features after development. A few hours of sketching screens can prevent weeks of rework when you discover fundamental flaws in your information architecture or user flow.

Wireframes serve multiple purposes beyond personal planning. They create shared understanding across teams, eliminating assumptions about how features work. They enable early user testing before visual design creates attachment to specific solutions. Most importantly, they force concrete decisions about functionality that vague discussions never resolve.

Even basic wireframes provide value. Hand-drawn sketches on paper can reveal navigation problems. Simple digital boxes can expose content hierarchy issues. The format matters less than the thinking process wireframing demands, which is the systematic consideration of every element's purpose and placement.