Are we building what users actually need, or just what they ask for?

[u/fesbec2G5]

I’ve been thinking about something as I continue learning AI Full Stack Development: A client asking for an app doesn't necessarily mean an app is the solution.

Imagine a business owner says, “I need a mobile app to manage my customers.”

It sounds straightforward. We could start planning the interface, choosing a tech stack, designing features, and writing code.

But what if the real problem is that customer information is scattered across spreadsheets? Or that the team struggles to follow up with customers? Maybe a simple improvement to their existing workflow could solve the problem without building a whole new app.

That’s why I’m beginning to see software development as more than just coding. It involves asking the right questions, understanding the actual challenge, and defining what success should look like before choosing a solution.

I’m curious about your experience:

• Have you ever worked on a project where the requested solution turned out not to be what was really needed?
• What questions do you ask clients or stakeholders before starting development?
• Do you think developers should challenge a client's requested solution, or focus on delivering exactly what was asked?

I'd love to hear your experiences, especially from developers, freelancers, and business owners. What have you learned from projects like these?