Top Three Mistakes Clients Make When Hiring A Dedicated Software Development Team

 In recent years, businesses operating in many industries have been embracing the technological revolution and welcoming digital transformation. But software development, while highly demanded, is a niche industry that comes with its own set of required knowledge, expertise and skills.

Not every business, technologically inclined or otherwise, has the capacity to hire in-house software teams. A lot of startups often do not have the funds. Larger businesses may not want to go through the hassle of permanent, long-term recruitment.

This is where outsourcing comes in. While there are countless upsides to outsourcing software teams, such engagements can often easily go wrong.

Why Businesses Outsource Software Development

Outsourcing software development teams allows companies to hire professionals based precisely on what they need. They can choose which roles they need and which ones they could do without. Any budgetary constraints can also be easily accommodated. Here are a few other benefits that outsourcing has compared to hiring a team that works in-house:

• Controlled costs

• Lower risk

• Improved efficiencies

• Faster results

• Controlled costs

• Lower risk

• Improved efficiencies

• Faster results

Three Mistakes To Avoid When Outsourcing

While hiring an external third party for any purpose seems like an easy task, you must exercise some caution. Based on my experience, here are three mistakes that many businesses make that can result in regrettable experiences with their outsourcing partners:

1. Not Having A Proper Plan Ready

In order to succeed, you need a solid strategy. As a buyer, you will not be able to develop a powerful strategy to meet your end goals if you do not know what those goals are. Therefore, problem definition is a crucial phase of the software development process.

The process of searching for a software partner involves reaching out to multiple vendors and shortlisting the best after a detailed comparison. If you do not know and understand your requirements, you will have a hard time speaking with the vendors.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself at this stage:

• What are my requirements for the project?

• What do I want the software to do?

• Who will be using this software?

• Designers, developers, QA engineers, managers—which roles do I need on my team?

• When do I need the software to be ready?

• Could cost difference be a dealbreaker?

You do not have to prepare extensive answers to all of these questions, but it is always a good idea to write down whatever you can in the form of an outline or brief. This can help effectively gather your thoughts as well as avoid possible confusion, miscommunication and misinterpretation. Some clients go one step further by using basic sketches as visual aids in initial meetings.

2. Failing To Review Candidates' Previous Work

These days, for even the smallest purchase, most buyers make sure to quickly scan reviews of past customers to authenticate the seller’s credibility. Bigger investments, such as custom software development, warrant more extensive research.

For this reason, platforms such as Clutch and GoodFirms exist. These are review sites that work much like online business directories in that they list different software companies from all over the world. However, they take it one step further by posting verified testimonials from vendors’ past clients, along with star ratings out of five.

Another reason why it is important to check out potential vendors’ past work is so that you can make sure they have relevant experience. If your chosen vendor has previously worked in your domain or industry, they are more likely to be able to understand the product, its purpose and its users.

3. Not Discussing Communication And Collaboration Channels

Like any other partnership, a business relationship also requires effective communication. Therefore, right from the beginning, you need to set some ground rules for yourself and for the team. Asking the following questions can help:

• How involved do I want to be throughout the development process?

• How often do I want to be updated?

• Which team member(s) would I like as my point(s) of contact?

• Am I more comfortable with Zoom meetings, Skype calls, emails or text messages?

Another great mindset to have is to think of the team as working with you instead of working for you. Encourage open communication so that you and your dedicated team are always on the same page. Make sure to not be too overbearing with status updates or other forms of micromanagement. It is important to have faith in the team and trust the process.

Wrapping Up

From cost savings to greater availability of talent, outsourcing software development carries a horde of advantages. It is important, however, to not get carried away when making the crucial decision to hire a dedicated team. Ensuring you don’t make the same mistakes that many other clients do will not only help you find the right fit for your company but also help avoid irrecoverable losses.

Looking to hire skilled software developers? Contact TP&P Technology - Leading Software Outsourcing Company in Vietnam Today

Article resource: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/12/02/software-development-time-estimation-how-long-should-it-take-to-develop-a-product/?sh=4a2370e76cee