The very first impression says a great deal about a firm, boardtech 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 low 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 cell phone number shown in their email signatures? Does the company smart phone you up to discuss your requirements? Does the company seem to grasp your requirements and is verbal communication flawless?

In today's world of outsourcing, freelancers commonly work with a company name of their own to lure their prospective clients into believing 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 present you with sufficiently fast turn around times, nor a vast selection of expertise. Always speak with a representative of your prospective partners and probe them on their own company's track record, 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 lot of information on their own operations and prior projects. Ask for case studies, coding conventions, testimonials, résumés of the staff that 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 such as case studies or perhaps even demos of applications much like that you'll be going to develop. Once you have asserted that the company has the expertise required to take on your project you may proceed with asking for and analyzing the company's proposal.

Within 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 benefits that the application will bring with it for your organization and if it comprises suggestions concerning how to exceed the initial goals outlined. What will the turn around time be for finishing the application, and many more importantly what will happen in the event the deadline isn't met?

In the final agreement you sign with your software development partner, make certain that a requirements specification is included and signed. The requirements specification should be as detailed as it can be and all possible functionality that you require should be printed onto that specification. With no clear requirements specification a software development agreement will do no good in the event your partner decides to deliver an incomplete product.

Your project's success or failure will be fully contingent on your choice of software development partner. Read on to learn about the most critical aspects with regards to analyzing a prospective software development partner and their software development proposal.