When getting on a project with an outsourced software development company, it’s important to know that your team is committed, well-qualified to do their job, and of course – ready to move quickly and get the job done. In theory, it seems obvious; in practice – it’s not that easy to make the right choice, especially when you don’t have the experience yet.
Sure, there are many guidebooks out there on how to choose the best outsourcing company to work with and what to pay attention to. Most of them are extremely useful! But their usefulness ends… as soon as you make the choice and start working with the chosen company. Here is where the time of evaluation comes.
Here are 7 questions to help you make sure that you’ve made a good choice and that the development of your application is in good hands!
1. Do they focus on understanding your business needs?
Software development is no longer about writing a code itself. Honestly, I doubt if it ever was. The company you chose to work with should be able not only to deliver a great piece of code but also to support you on the business side. In order to do so, they need to see what your product really is about and what advantages it will bring to its users. Are you satisfied with their approach?
2. Do they know the latest trends and technologies?
Computer technologies are growing exponentially. In order to deliver you the product that will meet your (and your clients’) expectations, people in your team need not only to know the latest software development trends but also to understand them and aim to adopt them in their work. Keeping up-to-date is crucial to being able to advise you and to determine the best technology for your software. Are the people you work with open to tech discussions? Do they suggest some new solutions or simply follow the guidelines?
Read also: Software development outsourcing trends in 2022
3. Is their knowledge comprehensive?
Do they use Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment? Are they familiar with lean thinking, agile methods or DevOps? By the nature of their job, software development companies tend to have better insight into the variety of concepts of the field than the companies who work on a single product for a long time. The more apps they develop, the more industries they get into, the better they become.
As it was already said, software development is no longer about writing a code itself. It is the code, it is the understanding of your business needs but these are also all the issues related to product management, security standards, processes, and procedures. The fact that you chose them instead of growing an in-house team should bring you a clear value. Does it?
4. Are they fast-accelerating?
One of the things that made you choose to outsource instead of growing an in-house team was the need to start as quickly as possible. If you could spend several months on the recruiting and hiring process, creating a working space and environment, waiting for the team to know each other etc., you would probably field an in-house team. If you want your project to take off fast, you expect them to be ready to work right from the start and to provide the efficient launch – once the requirements are collected and all the agreements are signed. How long did it take your team to start working on the project?
Read also: 10 awesome software products you didn’t know were built in CEE
5. Are they honest with you? Do they ask questions?
When you decided to outsource your software development, you were looking for a company that wasn’t just a team of coders but a reliable partner. And as a reliable partner, they should be honest about the seniority level of their resources but also about the project itself – including any possible problems or delays. To make sure that they deliver what you expect them to, they should not be afraid to ask questions and request some clarifications.
6. Are they backed by their in-house teams?
The advantage of working with a software development company is that they are backed by their CTO and senior colleagues. If you can’t afford a senior developer, you won’t have this kind of support in your in-house team. Also, bigger teams are safer if we consider the consistency of work. If someone drops off, anyone from their team can replace them. And if your demand grows – it will be easier to scale your team up. You’ll never miss a deadline because of lack of people!
7. Are they cool?
It may seem unsophisticated, but I really wouldn’t underestimate the simple fact of getting along with each other. Do you get frustrated every single time you talk to them? If yes, you are not very likely to be satisfied with the product they deliver. And it does not have to be related to its actual quality! Our personal judgments strongly affect the way we assess people’s competence. As we can read in Fuse: Making Sense of the New Cogenerational Workplace by Jim Finkelstein:
Tiziana Casciaro, a professor at Harvard Business School says: “How we value competence changes depending on whether we like someone or not”. Besides, people lacking social grace are perceived to lack other life and work competencies as well.
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Hope that your app development is in good hands! If you have any doubts or you’re currently looking for a software development company to work with, you’re welcome to schedule a free consultation or drop us a line.
