So, you’ve decided to bring in a technology partner to build a custom software solution for you. But how do you choose the best custom software development firm? Here are some critical tips for picking the best technology provider for your project.
Verify the expertise of the company
The first and most important thing you need to check is whether the custom software development company has the skills you need to build your software. If you know what kind of technologies you’d like to use in your project, look for companies specializing in them and avoid the ones which promise to have experts for every single technology on the planet.
Next, look at the company website and search for case studies. Has the provider implemented projects in this technology for other organizations? Is the development team experienced in delivering the kind of project you’re looking to launch? Assess the expertise of the custom software development company carefully because this is the most critical determinant of your project’s success.
Domain knowledge and business understanding
Choosing a custom software development company that has already delivered similar projects to other organizations is also advantageous because it shows that the team has the domain knowledge for providing these types of tools.
As you communicate with the provider, pay attention to whether they’re willing to understand the problem at hand and the requirements of your industry. Are they proactive? Are they asking you questions about your business?
Experience in consulting
You need to hire a custom software development firm that has sufficient consulting experienceto make sure that your project runs smoothly from the specification, through requirement-gathering, development, deployment and, in the long run, support and maintenance.
Again, the most important factor here is the company’s experience in delivering similar projects. Ask the company for client referrals, especially those who have developed solutions that solve a problem related to the one you’re looking to address.
By learning what the collaboration was like and how the team worked, you’ll know whether the provider can deliver the work you need.
Development process
Another critical thing to look at is whether the company has robust development processes in place that ensure the completion of projects within the expected time frame and budget.
This type of organizational knowledge comes with consulting experience. Custom software development companies that have developed similar solutions for other organizations are usually open to sharing details about their development process and have collaboration tools in place for timely and direct communication of the project status.
Communication skills
When picking a technology provider, many organizations focus only on the consulting experience and technology skills, often forgetting soft skills such as communication and teamwork.
But in reality, good communication is essential to the success of your project. Communication problems may lead to misunderstandings that put the entire project at risk. You need to hire a custom software development firm able to collaborate with your internal resources – be it your in-house development technical team or project managers.
Make sure that the development team speaks your language (both literally and metaphorically) and that it’s the right cultural fit for your business and project.
Conclusion
Finding a top custom software development company that will meet your exact needs might be challenging, but solid research is definitely recommended here. It’s worth spending some time analyzing all the factors and talking with various companies.
Also, as a custom software development project is a big challenge and a fairly expensive commitment, it’s important to choose a partner on more than just a financial basis. Keep in mind that you or someone from your team (typically someone experienced) will spend a significant amount of time working with them. Depending on the quality of the relationship it may be a pleasurable or painful experience.
Finally, think about added value. A knowledgeable, energetic, involved, and committed partner has the potential to help you evolve or expand your business by offering feedback and new ideas.
