There's something from design that applies to world building and creative projects in general.  That being planning while iterative working on the product iteratively is more productive than focusing heavily on pre-planning.  And the end product tends to be of the same quality regardless.

That basically means instead of spending weeks building 5000-6000 word apps (but seriously that is not impressive since it's just a 6 hour writing binge), set up a basic frame work for the setting and than start IC in a timely manner.  If a RP takes more than 2 weeks to start IC I tend to get worried since it usually means people lose interest and drop.  It's actually relieving to me when a RP within 5 days from the interest check has multiple IC posts.