Finding the right software development partner
Regardless of your size, location, or industry sector, it's important to find a partner that's capable of meeting your needs. There are lots of issues to address, some specific to the needs of your organisation and others related to their expertise and capability. Custom application development is about transforming vision into reality through communication and partnership.
Choosing the right company is much easier when you ask the following questions:
Your goals and vision
Before looking for a partner, it's important to take a step back and review your vision and goals. The development process can take many forms, and you need to steer the ship alongside the developer. Why are you interested in custom software? How are your needs not being addressed by off-the-shelf solutions? What is your vision for the future?
Your budget and timeline
Like everything else in life, there are numerous constraints associated with the development process. You don't have an unlimited budget, and you probably have an intended timeline from conceptualisation to implementation. It's important to work with a developer that can deliver high-quality results within your specified budget and time frame limits.
Your technology and team
Nothing starts from scratch, with each organisation already invested in particular technologies, systems, and approaches. When looking for a development partner, you want someone who will complement your existing technologies and team. From particular hardware setups and software services to employee training and education programs, everything needs to be considered.
Their skills and expertise
When choosing a bespoke software developer, you need to analyse their level of expertise. Software development services involve a wide range of approaches, and not all skill sets are relevant. Look closely at their website, review their services, and analyse past projects to understand how they work. Above all else, project deliverables depend on professional capability and software expertise.
Their professional experience
Experience should play a key role when selecting a development partner. If developers have not completed projects similar to yours, how can you be confident in the success of your own project? While you can give inexperienced operators a chance in some situations, it's important to communicate effectively and limit project size as a way to reduce risk.
Their style of communication
Communication plays a central role in every software development project. Whether you're building an internal company database or a customer-facing website, good developers will keep you in the loop throughout the development process. Building custom software is rarely a linear process, with feedback and iteration required to ensure the best results.
Along with these critical factors, it's also important to think about project governance, scope of work, system integration, and future roadmaps. Communication is the key to discovery, so take some time to ask questions and follow up with developers before you make a final decision.
