Choosing a software developer is often a difficult task –
much like choosing the builder for your dream home. If you go to the extreme of
hiring the cheapest developers you will most likely end up with an amateur and
a nightmare on your hands. At the other end of the scale, very few businesses
can afford vanity projects by working with the biggest names in the business.
When it comes to choosing which software development company
you work with; there are plenty of
options but make sure you do some thorough research or you risk wasting money
and damaging your businesses reputation.
The first place to start is by asking your contacts who they
have worked with in the same way as most builders will come on the
recommendation of friends or family. Whether the developer you have in mind is
someone you found on a Google search or from a referral there is some basic
homework you should do when first scoping out potential developers; consider
this a pre-due diligence check:
1. Ask around- is
this a referral, if not what is the word on the ground? While there are plenty
of developers around, most will be known in their specialist vertical and will
have published a portfolio of work or thought leadership. Also ensure you do an
online search, many clients with good and bad experiences will leave comments.
2. Clients- who
have they previously worked with and were they happy? Client testimonials on
their website or LinkedIn recommendations are a useful way to gauge whether the
business is reputable and held in high esteem. In the same way as Check-a-
Trade sites gives home-owners piece of mind, use professional forums and
profiles to establish a picture of your developer.
3. Staffing- do
they outsource work and do they have the right size team to deliver on your
project? A software development team doesn’t need to be large but it needs to
be sufficiently well staffed with experienced developers to deliver on your
project. No one wants the foundations laid, only to find your builder has been
called off to another job. Again the companies LinkedIn company page will give
you an insight into how the business is managed.
4. Location and
duration- where are they based and how long have they been there? An exclusive address is not a sign of
an exceptional developer, but the better the address and more importantly the
longer they have been established, the clearer the indication about the status
and stability of the business.
Once you’ve done your basic homework it’s time to get in
contact and ask the real questions. From the outset be very afraid of
developers promising the world; if it sounds too good to be true, our
experience tells us that it usually is. In addition to this remember that the
bigger your project, the more you have at stake, so this may is a good
opportunity to ask the following more in depth questions:
5. Affiliations-
if the developer’s website doesn’t carry a list of qualifications and affiliations
then be sure to ask for these. Likewise be sure to ask for a copy of the
business’ professional liability insurance and check that covers the scope of your
project.
6. Technical
Expertise- your developers should be able to demonstrate an expertise in current
technologies and how the right development tools can be used to deliver on your
business requirements. Whilst the latest technology can be exciting, you would
never commission a builder to build you a house out of cardboard without first
examining their portfolio of previous successful projects to ensure they are
still standing!
7. Support Services-
not only should your developer be technically capable but they should also
offer a comprehensive professional support service from first contact, to post
project. This should include excellent communication and support during the
development phase, and a clear understanding of the recommended maintenance
services available after launch.
8. Flexible payments-
staggered payment are an industry norm. Be very weary of any developer who asks
for substantial or full payment up front, you may find yourself paying for his
dream home; not yours!
9. Availability of
your developer- finally, a busy order book is a sign of a developer with a
stable business but be warned of those that are ‘snowed under’, you may find
deadlines being pushed back and a breakdown in basic communication. When
agreeing project scope, especially for urgent projects, ensure that the
developer has the time and resources to fully commit to the project without
compromising to meet deadlines.
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