How To Choose A Reliable Software Development Partner

Businesses of a variety of sizes outsource their technical needs. And their software development partners assist in the optimization of company operations and the maximization of income. The successful deployment of a tech product is dependent on the selection of trustworthy partners. Some firms make the costly mistake of choosing the first organization that advertises itself as an industry specialist. However, in order to develop a decent product, you must be selective in your decision.

In this article, we’ve developed a list of suggestions to assist you choose a software development partner that will be a good fit for your company.

Who Is a Software Development Partner?

A software development partner is often an outsourcing company that assures experience, technological skills, and rapid development at a significantly reduced cost. A software development partner will have the resources and experience to construct your app or software product with a deep knowledge of your needs.

Here are some of the reasons why you can be looking for a reliable software development partner:

• Fill any technical gaps and improve your technological capabilities.
• Provide a new perspective on your project and working approaches.
• Guide your project through any development problems and guarantee all risks are completely addressed.
• Gain access to a worldwide talent pool with vast opportunities.
• Create features for your current product or a complete solution from scratch.

According to the IBM Global AI Adoption Index, the leading barrier (34%) to AI adoption within a company is limited AI skills, expertise, or knowledge. At the same time, leading companies are becoming software development partners to adopt the latest AI potential: Wipro and Siemens have partnered to foster SDV development, Cognizant and Google Cloud have expanded their AI partnership to drive software development productivity, and SAP and NVIDIA to accelerate Generative AI adoption across enterprise applications powering global industries.

Strategic technology partnerships, like the one between SAP and NVIDIA, are at the core of our strategy to invest in technology that maximizes the potential and opportunity of AI for business. NVIDIA’s expertise in delivering AI capabilities at scale will help SAP accelerate the pace of transformation and better serve our customers in the cloud. - Christian Klein

According to a recent study from Commit , outsourcing for software development at startups is predicted to expand by 70% between 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, 99% of senior technology and HR leaders today acknowledge the benefits of remote teams, with 75% observing increased productivity from their remote staff. This is a clear indication that concerns about remote teams have largely dissipated. So, it’s time to start thinking about choosing the right software development partner for your future cooperation. Below, we have collected the reasons why you need a reliable software development partner and how to find one.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Hire Developers For Startups

What do you need to determine before you look for a software development partner?

#1 Develop an app idea

Before you start looking for partners, you need to take a step back and comprehend the concept of your app. It is critical to identify your company goals, as well as what app features are required and how they may be implemented. If you do not have a complete image of your future product, you will be unable to explain the needs properly to your partner, rendering your partnership ineffective.

#2 Pinpoint essential services

Before you engage with a software development partner, it’s essential to outline the specific services you require. Whether it’s end-to-end development, UI/UX design, backend infrastructure, or ongoing app maintenance, having a clear understanding of your needs will streamline the selection process. Defining these services upfront ensures that you can effectively communicate your expectations and avoid any misunderstandings that could disrupt the development process. It’s okay if you don’t cover every specific detail, but knowing the main services you need will make it easier to choose the right partner during the research phase.

#3 Choose the tech stack

Determining the right tech stack is another crucial step before seeking out a software development partner. Your choice of programming languages, frameworks, and tools will significantly influence the development timeline, budget, and overall functionality of your app. Evaluate your project’s requirements and consult with experts to decide on the most suitable technology. Having a predefined tech stack allows for a more focused search for partners with the right expertise, ensuring a smoother and more efficient collaboration.

The choice of tech stack is mostly based on the first step – the idea of your project. Do you want to build a mobile application, a desktop web app, or perhaps a cross-platform solution? Understanding the nature of your app will guide you in selecting the appropriate technologies, frameworks, and tools to achieve your goals effectively.

Read also: Native, Hybrid, and Cross-Platform Mobile Application Development Explained

#4 Define deadlines for your task

Deadlines are an essential component of every endeavor. You must give a deadline for the completion of your project. It is critical to be aware of any external circumstances that may impact a work or project’s timeframe so that deadlines are both doable and realistic.

#5 Determine the budget for development

Establish how much of your budget will go to your software development partner. It is critical to budget for any unforeseen difficulties or delays that may develop throughout the course of the project. Additionally, your budget will significantly influence where it is best to outsource your software development. Different countries provide varying rates for development services, and understanding these differences can help you make a more cost-effective decision. For instance, developers in Eastern Europe and Asia often offer competitive rates compared to those in North America or Western Europe, check out full report on Where to Outsource Software Development.

Types of software development partnerships

When seeking a software development partner, it’s important to understand the various types of partnerships available. Each type caters to different project needs, timelines, and budget considerations, allowing you to choose the most suitable model for your business:

1. Solution team when you hire a software development team for a specific project with defined requirements and a set timeline. This type is ideal for companies with well-defined projects and clear deliverables.
2. Dedicated team involves hiring a team of developers who work exclusively on your projects. This model is suitable for long-term projects where continuous development, updates, and support are needed.
3. Staff augmentation (Extended team) allows you to add skilled developers to your in-house team on a temporary basis. This is beneficial when you need to scale your team quickly to meet project deadlines or fill skill gaps.
4. Outsourced development helps to delegate the entire software development process to an external company. This model is cost-effective and allows you to leverage the expertise of specialized development firms.
5. Joint venture involves partnering with another company to develop a software product together. Both parties share resources, risks, and rewards, making this an attractive option for projects that require substantial investment and collaboration.
6. Technology partnerships focus on long-term collaboration where a development partner provides ongoing technological expertise and support. This type is ideal for companies looking to innovate and stay competitive with continuous development efforts.
7. Technology consulting company provides expert advice and strategic guidance on your project. This partnership helps in defining the project scope, selecting the right technologies, and setting a roadmap for development.

Check out the most popular software development partnership models provided by Leobit:

What factors should you consider while looking for a partner?

After determining all the necessary info for your app, it’s time to start looking for a software partner, but how to choose a reliable one? According to Deloitte’s 2022 Global Outsourcing Survey, 50% of executives identify talent acquisition as a top internal challenge in meeting their organizations’ strategic priorities. Additionally, reported increases in revenue and budget across industries indicate strong growth in the use of third parties over the past few years.

So here are six main points you should be looking at:

Relevant portfolio

A vast portfolio of high-quality cases is the finest indication of profound expertise. This will give you an idea of the types of projects they have completed in the past and the quality of the work they provide. Read the case studies; it will help you understand what was produced, how challenging the project was, and whether it is applicable to your idea.

Social activities

In addition to extensive expertise and technological experience, the company’s social activities are significant. When they consistently post about their accomplishments, actively run their own blog or attend events related to their niche for better networking – this is a really excellent indicator. This indicates they are proud of their accomplishments and skills and are not afraid to participate actively in the life of the tech community.

Long-term working experience

The best recommendation ever is to search for agencies that have been around for a while. Companies with extensive expertise care about their reputation and will not disappoint their customers. However, do not underestimate new agencies, some of them has experts that have been in the field for a long time and their team may bring robust and creative solutions for you.

Experience with companies similar to yours

When looking for an outsourcing partner, you should look for those that has experience with companies similar to yours. This is because they will have a better understanding of the technologies, tools, and methods used in the industry and will be able to apply this knowledge to your project. Furthermore, they will have an understanding of the market and can provide valuable insights into the best practices and approaches to take when developing your project.

Positive reviews

Positive reviews are a mandatory attribute of a successful and reliable software development partner, because they can provide valuable insight into the quality of the services offered by the company. Reviews can provide an indication of the company’s reliability and performance in past projects, as well as their level of customer service. Thanks to such platforms as Clutch and GoodFirms, you can learn reviews from real customers. Vast feedback will help you learn about all the benefits and drawbacks of working with a certain partner based on someone else’s experience.

Realistic time and budget estimations

Choosing a software development partner only on pricing might be a mistake, since it may result in a loss of quality and value. Be as critical as possible about the budget and deadlines. You should understand that those who offer quick and cheap development are a rather suspect option. Compare the market price and don’t put cheap price before quality.

Software Development Partner Evaluation Checklist based on top selection criteria

Selecting the ideal software development partner is a critical decision that can significantly impact a project’s outcome. This process can be time-consuming and complex due to the numerous criteria to consider. To simplify this process for you, Leobit has developed a comprehensive Software Development Partner Evaluation Checklist based on our extensive experience in similar interviews, this checklist incorporates the most commonly asked pre-screen questions. By utilizing this tool, you can efficiently gather essential information and compare different vendors to identify the best fit for your project.

Partner selection criteria represented in the checklist

Software Development Partner Evaluation Checklist is an Excel-based tool provides a structured framework for assessing potential partners. It covers essential criterias to help you make an informed decision:

• Company Basics: fill in your copy with necessary information about vendor – company’s size, services, and overall background.
• Experience and Reputation: Evaluate their market experience, technical capabilities, industry focus, and past projects.
• Project Scope: Understand project timelines, pricing models, team structure, rates, and post-launch support.
• Compliance and Security: Assess certifications and adherence to industry standards.
• Project Management: Evaluate their development process, communication tools, and how they handle time zone differences.
• Additional Factors: other important aspects like strengths, weaknesses, and unanswered questions.

Utilizing this checklist will help you compare multiple vendors side-by-side, identify potential red flags, and ultimately make a well-grounded decision.

Download Software Development Partner Checklist

Why Choose Leobit?

Leobit is a full-cycle .NET, AI, and web software development provider for technology companies and startups with more than 10+ years on the market and 150+ successful projects delivered. Our technology focus covers .NET, Angular, iOS, Android, Ruby, PHP, React, and a comprehensive range of other technologies from Microsoft, web and mobile stacks.

Conclusion

When selecting a partner, it is important to consider factors such as the partner’s experience, the technologies they use, their pricing model, and their customer service. Additionally, it is beneficial to look for partners that have worked with similar companies and can provide insights into the best approaches to take. With the right partner, your project will be successful, and you will have a reliable partner to work with for years to come.

Contact Leobit to explore what we can do for you if you’re seeking for a good software development partner. We are delighted to exhibit our portfolio and see if we can assist you with your next software development project.

Originally published at Leobit.com