S3Corp. Tech Blog

When seeking a software outsourcing partner, it is essential to ask the right questions to ensure the success of your project. Custom software development is a long-term commitment that starts with building your software and continues with support and ongoing improvements. Choosing the right outsourcing partner is crucial to achieve the best value for your company. Many businesses focus primarily on hourly rates or the lowest bid, as these are easy to compare. However, the true cost of a project involves many factors beyond the initial price. To help guide your decision, here are seven important questions to ask any prospective software outsourcing firm. These questions will allow you to better evaluate potential partners based on their experience, process, and long-term fit for your project.

7 Questions to Ask a Prospective Software Outsourcing Partner

1. Have You Completed Projects Similar to Ours? If So, Please Tell Me About One of Them. If Not, What Qualifications Do You Have That Make Your Firm a Good Candidate for Our Project?

The first question is aimed at understanding the firm’s experience and whether they have handled projects of similar scope and complexity. If the firm has completed similar projects, ask them to provide specific examples, including details such as project length, team size, and the challenges faced. It’s essential to gauge whether the firm has worked on projects that require the same skill set, timelines, and team size as your project. If the firm lacks relevant experience, you should inquire about their qualifications. This might include their expertise in the technologies needed for your project, their team’s capabilities, or their past successes in tackling similar challenges.

Expect clear, detailed responses that demonstrate their competence. Vague answers or a lack of specific examples may indicate a lack of experience or an inability to provide the level of detail necessary to ensure your project’s success.

2. Describe Your Software Development Process from a Customer’s Perspective. What Can I Expect?

Understanding how the outsourcing firm manages the software development process is crucial. This question helps you assess the structure and maturity of the firm’s process. A professional outsourcing partner should be able to describe a systematic and organized approach to developing software. Pay attention to how they manage project phases, communicate with clients, and ensure that the client’s needs are met throughout the project lifecycle. This answer will provide insight into the firm’s approach to transparency, communication, and collaboration.

Furthermore, you want to ensure that the firm’s process aligns with your expectations and the needs of your stakeholders. Look for a clear outline of how the firm will keep you informed, how often you will receive updates, and how they manage client feedback. An effective development process should be well-defined, with milestones, deliverables, and clear timelines.

3. Will the Same People Be Assigned to My Project for the Length of the Development Effort?

Staff turnover can significantly impact the progress and quality of a project, so it is essential to understand how the firm manages its resources. This question aims to assess whether the firm has the ability to assign consistent personnel to your project for its entire duration. Continuity in the team working on your software ensures that the developers remain familiar with the project and its specific needs, minimizing disruptions that come with bringing new team members up to speed.

In addition to asking about the continuity of staff, you should ask whether the developers will work full-time on your project, whether you will be notified if there are any changes to the assigned team, and whether the firm uses contractors or full-time employees. You should also inquire about the firm’s employee retention rates. A high turnover rate (over 10% annually) could indicate potential issues that may affect your project’s stability.

4. Where Will the Work Be Performed?

Location is a crucial consideration in outsourcing, particularly when it comes to whether the firm will use offshore, onshore, or hybrid teams. Some firms manage their client-facing roles, such as project management and design, locally, while outsourcing development tasks to offshore teams. It’s essential to understand where the work will be done, as this could impact communication, time zone differences, and the overall efficiency of the project.

Although a hybrid or offshore model is not necessarily a dealbreaker, it is vital to understand how the firm manages these complexities. Ask for specifics about the location of each team and how they manage collaboration across different locations. This will help you evaluate potential risks and challenges related to managing teams in different regions.

5. Tell Me About Your Hiring Process. Where Do You Find Your Candidates and What Do You Look for When Hiring New Developers?

The quality of developers assigned to your project can make or break its success. This question aims to provide insight into how the outsourcing firm attracts and hires talent. In today’s competitive tech environment, some firms may use accelerated training programs or coding boot camps to quickly train new developers. While this approach might offer short-term solutions, it is important to understand whether the firm hires developers with strong foundational knowledge, such as a degree in Computer Science, or if they prioritize experience over formal education.

The hiring process directly impacts the quality of work and consistency throughout the project. A firm that seeks developers with a robust understanding of programming principles and experience in the specific technologies needed for your project is more likely to deliver high-quality work. Therefore, make sure the firm explains their hiring process, including how they assess technical skills and ensure developers are a good fit for each project.

6. Who Will Own the Finished Product and Will We Receive the Source Code and Related Materials?

Ownership of the final product and its source code is a critical aspect of any software development project. You should expect the answer to this question to be straightforward: “You paid for it, you own it.” The software you commission should be yours, including the rights to the source code, documentation, and any related materials. If the outsourcing firm tries to impose restrictions on ownership or access to the code, it’s a red flag. It is important that you have full control over the intellectual property you have paid for, including the ability to modify, scale, and distribute the software as needed.

If the outsourcing firm hesitates or offers anything less than full ownership, you should consider it a significant warning sign. The terms of ownership should be clearly outlined in the contract to avoid any future disputes.

7. What Is Different About Your Firm Versus Other Software Outsourcing Firms That I Might Consider?

This question allows the firm to highlight their unique selling points and strengths compared to their competitors. While this may be a subjective question, it can help you gauge the passion and confidence the firm has in their services. A good outsourcing partner should be able to articulate what sets them apart, whether it’s their team’s expertise, innovative approaches, or the way they prioritize client relationships.

Look for clear and specific responses that demonstrate the firm’s ability to differentiate itself in terms of service quality, customer satisfaction, or technological expertise. Avoid vague answers that lack depth or fail to provide concrete examples.

The Final Question…

While the questions above will provide you with crucial information, there is one final question you should ask yourself and your team: “Regardless of cost, which firm do we want as a long-term software outsourcing partner?” This question helps you evaluate your options based on trust, communication, and long-term partnership potential. A good outsourcing partner should be someone you feel confident in working with over an extended period, not just for a single project. Ultimately, this question will guide you to the firm that aligns best with your company’s goals and values, ensuring that you have a reliable partner for ongoing support and future development needs.

Conclusion

In summary, selecting the right software outsourcing partner involves more than just comparing prices. By asking these seven questions, you can better evaluate the capabilities, process, and long-term fit of prospective firms. Take the time to consider each response carefully, and choose a partner that demonstrates not only technical expertise but also a commitment to transparency, communication, and the success of your project.