strategy for writing apps

Not sure if this is right forum to ask this, but...

The app I'm building is becoming increasingly complex. I'm finding that I build it by doing bit of planning then writing code. Then realise its not working as planned, go back to planning learning, and then re-write the code etc etc. As this process unfolds a cleaner and clearer design for the app is becoming apparent, but the process feels a bit hit and miss.

I guess theres probably no single or correct way to write apps, but just wondered if theres any strategies, techniques people use to help them speed up app development