So you have a technical project. It's well defined, and now you just need someone to do the software development for you. But what are your options? Well, there are quite a few ways to go about getting your software developed and there are many variables that you should be aware of before you proceed. Here are a list of questions to ask before you move forward with anyone.
What is my budget?
There is an old saying in software development, you can have quality, delivered quickly and at a low price, but you can't have all three. Knowing what your budget is will help you figure out the type of company that you want to work with. If your project is well defined, and your budget is limited, then an offshore development team may work well for you. However if money is no object (that never happens) and you have an idea, but its not well specified, then you may need to be working in the same space as the developer so that you can be in constant contact with them and be able to see what they develop each day or, at worst, each week.
How will you project manage the deliverables
So you know what you want, and you know what you are going to pay for it, but do you know how to manage the development process? If you have not done a lot of software development in the past then you want to be sure you will have a project manager allocated to the work to keep it on track. A good project manager will regularly communicate with you, and ensure the highest quality output is delivered in the timeframe allocated. Meeting the project manager is critical, and you should insist on having direct access to this person so that you know who to speak with if you are unhappy about anything.
References!
There are a lot of people offering developer services, and some of them look great and seem very cheap. But have they done a project like yours before? And were the previous clients happy with the results? Getting references, ideally from someone in the same country or industry as you, that shows the company you are working with has done this before and has delivered a good result, is critical to ensuring you get the outcomes you want from your project.
The above are just a few areas to look at when hiring developers. Whether that's a single developing or a team of developers to deliver a significant project. Know who you are working with and be sure to get a guarantee that they will deliver what it is they have been contracted to deliver.
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