Understanding the Client

Understanding the client goes far beyond deadlines, features, or outputs. It means recognising their personality, their pressures, ambitions, and even their blind spots. By investing in this understanding - and documenting it.

Documenting insights about the client provides benefits for both sides. For the client, it ensures they feel seen, heard, and understood - fostering confidence and trust in the team. For our team, it creates clarity, reduces miscommunication, and guides decisions in a way that aligns with the client’s goals and working style. This foundation of empathy transforms a typical project into a collaborative journey where priorities, compromises, and solutions are informed by real human context.

Just as Surrounded by Idiots helped us frame the different ways people think and act, we use those insights to tailor not just our communication, but the experience itself. When we adapt to the person in front of us - whether they’re a bold Red, an imaginative Yellow, a steady Green, or a precise Blue — we create an experience that feels fresh, personable, and deeply human. That’s the Devign difference: not just building products, but building relationships that last.

1. Red: The Dominant Type (The "Doers")

Key Traits: Assertive, goal-oriented, competitive, and results-driven. Red individuals are natural leaders who thrive on challenges and like to be in control. Work Style: They prioritise results over processes and can be quick decision-makers. In an app development context, Reds might push for fast delivery and are focused on achieving goals efficiently, sometimes at the expense of details. How to Work with Them: Be direct, avoid unnecessary details, and focus on the end goal. Give them clear challenges and avoid wasting time on lengthy discussions.

2. Yellow: The Influential Type (The "Inspiring Visionaries")

Key Traits: Enthusiastic, creative, and socially focused. Yellows are outgoing, energetic, and enjoy brainstorming ideas with others. Work Style: Yellows often bring creativity and innovation to the table, making them great at coming up with new features or thinking outside the box. They enjoy collaboration but may struggle with routine tasks and deadlines. How to Work with Them: Encourage their creative ideas and make meetings interactive. Provide them with opportunities for social interaction and creative expression. Keep communication positive and open.

3. Green: The Steady Type (The "Supportive Team Players")

Key Traits: Calm, empathetic, and cooperative. Greens value stability, harmony, and relationships within a team. They are patient listeners and often avoid conflict. Work Style: Greens are great collaborators, helping to maintain team morale and smooth interactions. They may be slower to make decisions but are very reliable. They like to ensure everyone is on the same page. How to Work with Them: Be patient and provide reassurance, as they may need time to adapt to change. Create a supportive environment and avoid pressure or high-stakes situations that may cause stress.

4. Blue: The Analytical Type (The "Detail-Oriented Experts")

Key Traits: Precise, analytical, logical, and methodical. Blues are perfectionists who focus on details and accuracy. They tend to be organised and prefer structure. Work Style: Blues excel at tasks that require careful analysis and attention to detail. In an app development environment, they might be the ones focused on ensuring quality control, documentation, and problem-solving. How to Work with Them: Provide clear instructions and data-driven decisions. Allow them time to analyse information thoroughly and avoid rushing them. Appreciate their focus on quality and accuracy.

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