7 Key Questions to Ask a Software Development Company

Are you about to begin working with an external software development team? In today’s article, we look at seven crucial questions that you should be asking the new team you are considering to better understand how they work and whether or not they’ll be a good fit for you and your business.

1. What are Your Core Values, and How Do They Guide Your Work?

The first question you should ask any potential software development company is about their core values.

• What are the things that they believe in?
• How do those values guide their work?

A company’s core values will tell you a lot about their culture and how they operate.

If you’re looking for a company that values transparency and collaboration, you’re not going to want to work with a company whose core values are secrecy and competition.

2. What Are Your Development Processes and Methodology?

The next question you should ask is about the company’s development process and methodology.

• How do they approach software development?
• What methods and tools do they use?

Asking about a company’s development process will give you insight into their workflows and how they get things done.

If you’re looking for a company that uses agile development methods, you’re not going to want to work with a company that uses a waterfall approach.

3. What Is Your Experience with Agile Development?

If you’re looking for a company that uses agile development methods, you’ll want to ask about their experience with agile development.

• How long have they been using agile methods?
• What challenges have they faced with agile development?
• What success have they had with agile development?

Asking about a company’s experience with agile development will give you insight into its ability to use agile methods effectively.

4. What Platforms and Technologies Do You Work with?

Another important question to ask is about the platforms and technologies that the company works with.

• What types of platforms and technologies are they comfortable working with?
• Do they have experience with the platforms and technologies that you’re using?

Asking about a company’s experience with the platforms and technologies that you’re using will give you insight into their ability to work with your existing infrastructure.

5. What are Your Project Management Practices?

Project management is critical to the success of any software development project. The right project management practices help ensure that your project is completed on time, within budget, and to your specifications.

Ask your potential software development partner about their project management practices to get a better sense of how they will manage your project.

6. What is Your Pricing Model?

There are a variety of pricing models that software development companies use. Some charge by the hour, while others charge a flat fee for the project.

Be sure to ask your potential software development partner about their pricing model so that you can budget appropriately for your project.

7. What are Your Terms and Conditions?

Before you sign on the dotted line, be sure to review the software development company’s terms and conditions. This document will outline the company’s expectations for the project, as well as your rights and responsibilities.

Be sure to ask any questions that you have about the terms and conditions before you sign the contract.

Conclusion

There are a few key questions that you should always ask a software development company before hiring them.

Are they nearshore or offshore? How will that affect the communication?

Asking about their experience, communication process, and tools will help you determine if they are the right company for your project.

Additionally, be sure to ask about pricing and timelines to ensure that you are getting a fair deal.

Finally, always make sure to get a contract in writing before starting any work. By asking these questions, you can be sure that you are hiring a reputable and professional software development company.

If you’re looking for a custom software development company, consider working with Trustshoring!

Let us help you hire a remote software developer or match you to a software development company in Eastern Europe or Latin America. We also have an expansive network of independent product advisory, to help you make those crucial technical decisions to move your product forward!