15th of November, 2020
Questions to Ask your Software Development Company

Whether a business has just started or already an established one, software is a critical part of its processes. And, if you want to run a successful business and stay on the competitive edge in the data-driven digital world these days, having software is paramount. For whatever business goal you have in mind, a custom software development company could build a solution that specifically meets your requirements.

A custom software is a product tailored to fit a particular organization, and no more. It’s built for the specific requirements and individual needs of the company. Since it’s customized every department, it enables an organization to digitalize operations and make more productive processes.

Nevertheless, before proceeding to hire a custom software development service provider, there are some questions that you need to ask to ensure that you’re making the right choice. This also helps assess the service provider before starting a project. What things should you inquire about? Let’s find out.

Five Important Questions to Ask Custom Software Developers

Jumping into the business of developing a tailored software is very convenient and easy, with the vendor that appears to promise you to give the best solution in the world. However, the best thing for you to is to do your diligence, make a research and ask pertinent questions.

Question One: What similar work you have done previously?

To a great extent, past performance predicts future results, and also gives you an overall idea about the skill level of the prospective custom software development company. Check out project demo videos and case studies to get extensive knowledge. This will make gain confidence that the vendor’s expertise matches with your project needs.

Moreover, when working with a vendor with an expertise in your industry, comprehending what issues your software will resolve is easy for them. If they’ve previously worked on the same features and technology, they could readily find easy solutions in the event that they run into bottlenecks during software development.

Question Two: Can you talk in detail about the approach you take with software development?

Ask your potential software development partner what approach they take normally and what they differently do to avoid misunderstandings later on. This helps you have an idea of how they operate as well as helps you decide if they’re the right fit for you. Both parties should discuss in detail the business requirements and documenting it will minimize the chance of gaps in understanding.

Don’t go for development teams that only nod their heads and say yes for every question you ask. Keep in mind that both the success and failure of a software project depends mainly on the approach that custom software developers take.

Question Three: Is it okay if I talk to some of your current and previous clients?

References do matter. The most credible information source that you will be able to get is from their customers, both present and in the past, satisfied or dissatisfied. Start by checking out directory websites to have an idea of how well the prospective developer has performed before.

Directly ask if you could talk to some past and current clients. This forms a more impartial view and results in better judgment on your end.

Talk to these references regarding the management of the project, work quality, the cost, and ask if they have any areas that they think the vendor could improve on. This helps build credibility and trust.

Question Four: Will you keep me updated on the progress?

When it comes to custom software development, communication is what truly matters. If you’re hiring a local vendor, then you likely would get to meet once a week, or perhaps once a month. When you outsource however, chances are that you never get to sit face-to-face. Making certain that communication will always stay seamless is paramount.

Software development is iterative and the potential service provider should assign a dedicated project manager to you who would become your sole point of contact and expected to have an entire 360-degree idea of the software project and make sure that you get timely updates with no need for you to knock on their door constantly. If you’re outsourcing, see to it that the manager is fluent in English at least, as well as experienced in working on numerous projects where clients are located in a different time zone.

Question Five: Are you going to maintain my project after launch and do I get to own the code?

This is critical. When the software is made and forwarded to you, the work doesn’t stop there. The software developer would have to release new updates regularly, add functionality and features, and fix bugs to simplify operations to remove outdated functionalities.

Software maintenance is equally critical as software development. Ask your prospective development team regarding the maintenance and support structure that they provide and the amount they charge for it. Find a structure that works for you both to make sure that the software product is properly maintained.

Taking the time to vet and interview a potential third-party software developer is paramount. While it could take some time and effort, it would always be worth it in the long run.

Asking questions shows project relevance and helps in avoiding as many negative surprises as possible that could arise during the entire process of development. When you choose the right vendor, your business could accomplish its goals in a more cost-effective manner and faster.

Conclusion

Ask questions, always ask questions. A healthy round of queries shows that you care about the development and also reveals how excited and engaged you are on it. Treat a software project as your baby. The questions above could help you choose the right vendor and ensure that there would be no unpleasant surprises during delivery time.

Keep in mind that the only way of determining the right development partner is to ask tough questions, which illuminate the ability of the company to understand the main business issue and build a quality solution that resolves your problem. Anything that is less could yield results that are disappointing and could result in wasted resources.

Neel Macwan
Neel Macwan Guest Author

Neel is a business analyst by profession but he loves to write about technology trends, tips on software development, artificial intelligence, Big Data, Machine Learning, etc. He spends his free time watching TED Talks and vlogs.

You may also be interested: