Outsourcing software development can be a necessity for any business that doesn’t have access to in-house expertise. However, it’s an incredibly important decision and one that should be taken with absolute care.В
When you choose the right provider, it will reflect in the success of your project. The best provider adheres to standards and focuses on context, taking into account expected results and desired objectives.В
What to watch out for when choosing a provider
- Lack of transparency
Any deВvelВopВment comВpany that hides their asВsets beВhind closed doors is doВing all stakeholders a disВserВvice. If the vendor you’re considering is hesitant to let you speak to a solutions architect or team leader, doesn’t provide information clearly and on time, or doesn’t offer clear insights into how they structure their pricing, then you should take a closer look.В
- Communication issues
Communication is one of the most important aspects to consider. Being fluent in English isn’t enough to assess whether a provider and its team can communicate effectively. They should ask a lot of questions and should offer guidance. Face-to-face meetВings with your team are a fantastic boon for comВmuВniВcaВtion.
- Poor estimates
When a provider offers estimates upfront without asking enough questions to understand the details of your project or if the estimate you receive is lower than anticipated, it’s not always a cause for celebration. A low estimate may be a sign of inexperience or a sign that the provider plans to cut corners during development. It may seem appealing to save money, but you could end up paying a lot more down the line if you factor in the cost of missed timelines, bugs in your software, unnecessary rework, and, in extreme cases, work scrapped just to be started all over again.
- Poor work samplesВ
Having a portfolio is essential for development companies to win new business. If the company you’re considering claims to have experience but can’t share any information, it’s a major red flag. Always look for a well-polished list of case studies with references when researching providers.В
- В No clear roadmap
A big red flag for outsourced software development companies is a business that cannot provide a clear and detailed roadmap for your project. This means that the company may be disorganized or feel unsure of the process itself.В В
- Guarantees that sound too good to be trueВ
If a development company promises you the moon and the stars but you feel there may be delays or major bumps in the road, it’s probably a guarantee that is too good to be true. Good vendors know that good results are difficult to accomplish. As a result, they will rarely overpromise.В
- Price model and scope of work
Some development agencies will try to beat the competition with low rates but then start charging massive amounts through endless change requests. This can be a sign of a lack of experience and proper upfront discovery.
- Missing deadlines during the sales process
Missing deadlines before you’ve even signed up for a service is a serious indication of underlying issues. If the vendor can’t even call or send information on time, it’s likely to only get worse.
What to look for in a vendor
- The size of the vendor
Choosing a partner of the вЂright size’ in congruence with your project’s scope is significant to the overall success of the partnership. Simply put, if you have a modest project, skip the big firms and find a provider that will make your work a priority.
- Local presence
It is advisable to choose a vendor that has an office in your country. Technology has enabled effortless digital communication, but a local provider that shares your company’s cultural and business context is better set to understand your industry and project.В В
- Management maturity
It is imperative that you know just how experienced a development company’s managerial team is. To establish this, you could ask for a one-on-one meeting and proof of experience and skills. This could help with more efficient management of your project.В
- Technical skills
If you’re not in line with the most cutting-edge technology, your software may not succeed in the market. You can ask a vendor which technologies they are experienced with and if they could bring in the technologies you need. The right vendor should also have the infrastructure to handle your project efficiently.В В
- Methods of communication
When choosing a provider, you need to find the most suitable method for collaboration. Do they use Slack, Skype, Jira, Trello or any other innovative collaboration tools? How they communicate progress, plans and problems related to you should be acceptable to you and your potential partner.В
- Testimonials and reviewsВ
What other businesses say about an outsourcing vendor is key. This gives you an idea of past partnerships and the overall level of client satisfaction. Look on external review sites to ensure that they are indeed a customer-serving company.В
Other factors to consider
- Speak to the project managerВ
It’s always a good idea to speak to the project manager, tech lead or solutions architect assigned to your project as soon as possible. You want to have a contact person who can give updates and important information straight away. If a company cannot provide you with such a person, it may not be the right vendor to work with.В
- Be explicit and organizedВ
Just like you want your chosen outsourced provider to communicate effectively and stick to deadlines, you should be clear about your objectives and desired outcomes, as well as your directions.В
- Invest in a paid discovery phase
Before you hand over your entire project to a provider, it is advisable to ask them to work on a test project. This is called a paid discovery phase and it is important to consider in your development project. Allow the provider to work on a module or small project to test how everything goes. During this phase, you can study their trustworthiness about the process, delivery on promises and how fast they are to meet deadlines.В
The bottom line
When choosing a software development partner, knowing what to watch out for is just as valuable as knowing what to prioritize. If anything feels off, it’s a good idea to go with your gut and choose a provider that doesn’t hint at any of the red flags above.
