The first impression says a great deal 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 has become a trade off for 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 telephone number shown within their email signatures? Does the company smart phone you up to talk about your requirements? Does the company seem to grasp your requirements and is verbal communication flawless?

In today's world of outsourcing, freelancers commonly utilize 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 may be one man shows who perhaps will not be able to give you sufficiently fast turn around times, nor an extensive selection of expertise. Always speak to a representative of your prospective partners and probe them on their company's history, location and number of employees. A business 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 whole lot of information on their 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 other information that may 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 proof of prior experience such as case studies or possibly even demos of applications just like that you will be going to develop. Once you've asserted that the company has the expertise required to take on your project you can 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 comprises suggestions regarding how to exceed the initial goals outlined. What will the turn around time be for finishing the application, and boardtech many more importantly what shall happen in the event the deadline is not met?

Within the final agreement you sign with your software development partner, ensure that a requirements specification is included and signed. The prerequisites specification should be as detailed as it can be and all possible functionality that you require should be printed onto that specification. Without a clear requirements specification a software development agreement shall 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 find out about the most important aspects when it comes to analyzing a prospective software development partner and their software development proposal.