Common mistakes to avoid when choosing a software development partner
Choosing a reliable and trustworthy software development partner is a critical endeavor. Below are some oversights that could possibly have a detrimental impact on your business. 😊
✖️ Not asking about their company culture and values. You want to work with a partner who shares your vision, ethics, and goals. A strong company culture may additionally reflect the quality of their work and their creativity. You’d have a better understanding of these things if you know how their organization operates and, if possible, some specifics like their hiring processes, diversity and inclusion policies, employee engagement, and social responsibility endeavors, among other things.
✖️ Not explaining your business model and needs before development begins. You must ensure that your partner understands your industry, market, customers, competitors, and obstacles. This will help them in designing and developing a software solution that fits your particular requirements and expectations. Don’t just give them a list of features, but explain why you need them and how they will benefit your business.
✖️ Sending walled-garden RFPs that limit communication and collaboration. A walled-garden RFP is a request for proposal that limits interaction between the vendor and the prospective client. It frequently includes unclear or unrealistic criteria, predetermined budgets and timetables, and no room for criticism or negotiation. This may result in having misunderstandings, poor quality, and missed opportunities. Instead, offer a project brief that invites interaction and discussion with your possible partner. It’s a collaborative effort after all.
✖️ Not checking their portfolio and expertise. You’d like to see proof of their expertise and experience in producing software solutions similar to yours. Thus, requesting samples of previous work is absolutely necessary. Also, references from other clients and social proof can help you gauge if they’re the best match for you. You should also check their technical skills, tools, frameworks, and methodologies.
✖️ Not comparing their pricing and services. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution in software development. Different partners may provide varying degrees of service, quality, and pricing. You have to evaluate their capabilities in terms of scope, timeline, deliverables, support, and maintenance. Budget plays a big role in choosing a software developer partner. But, it’s best to choose the most optimal fit for your project over the cheapest alternative.
WT Migremo Systems has over 15 years of experience in software development, project management, process improvement, business analysis, and even business development. Let’s collaborate on your software needs. Email us at inquiry@wtmigremo.com.
