The very first impression says a lot about a firm, especially about software development companies in a time like this when thousands of offshore firms fiercely compete against each other, and where professionalism is becoming a trade off for clicking here affordable prices.

Whenever you first contact a prospective software development provider, ask yourself how they present themselves; how long does it take for the firm to get back to you on emailed questions? Does each representative have their phone number shown in their e-mail signatures? Does the company mobile phone you up to go over your requirements? Does the company seem to grasp your requirements and is verbal communication flawless?

In today's world of outsourcing, freelancers commonly employ a company name of their own to lure their prospective clients into thinking that they have more experience than what they really have. In reality they could be one man shows who perhaps will not be able to give you sufficiently fast turn around times, nor a broad array of expertise. Always speak to a representative of your prospective partners and probe them on their company's background, location and range of employees. A company that refrains from having a telephone conversation with you is a clear warning sign that something fishy is going on.

Software development companies should be able to present a great deal of information on their operations and prior projects. Ask for case studies, coding conventions, testimonials, résumés of the staff which will be able to work on your project and all the other information that can be used to judge the professionalism of your future software development partner.

When you feel that the company evaluated has presented itself well in the first stage of evaluation, go ahead and ask for references and evidence of prior experience for example case studies or simply even demos of applications similar to that you are going to produce. Once you have asserted that the company has the expertise necessary to take on your project you may proceed with asking for and analyzing the company's proposal.

In the company's proposal, cost and milestones should be clearly specified along with terms of payment. Other aspects worth noticing is regardless of whether the proposal stresses the advantages that the application will bring with it for your organization and if it includes suggestions on the way to rise above the initial goals outlined. What will the turn around time be for finishing the application, and more importantly what shall happen should the deadline just isn't met?

In the final agreement you sign with your software development partner, make sure that a requirements specification is included and signed. The necessities specification should be as detailed as possible and all possible functionality that you require should be printed onto that specification. Without a clear requirements specification a software development agreement will do no good in case your partner decides to deliver an incomplete product.

Your project's success or failure will be fully contingent on the selection of software development partner. Read on to learn about the most critical aspects when it comes to analyzing a prospective software development partner and their software development proposal.