10 Tips To Choose Your Offshore Mobile App Development Partner
Not long ago, companies opted for outsourcing to reduce their operational costs. While this is still one of the main reasons for outsourcing software development, it is now commonplace worldwide. Outsourcing gives companies, and brands access to industry-leading talent and the latest technology at an affordable price compared to hiring software engineers in-house. In this blog article, our software development company outlines a few key things to look for before working with a vendor.
1. Development Methodology
There are a plethora of different methodologies and approaches to software development projects. Traditionally, the waterfall approach has been widely adopted, which envisions various activities in different development phases. However, the agile software development methodology is the most effective. Agile development methodologies allow for strategic alignment, iterative development, and a complete focus on the end-user throughout the project.
When choosing a vendor, you need to consider what development methodology they use and how it will fit your project. The ideal approach will have the most significant impact and deliver the highest quality output.
2. Thoroughly check the background of potential partners.
There are thousands of offshore software development companies in many outsourcing destinations. However, it isn’t easy to choose the right partner from among them.
Therefore, once you have narrowed down and identified a potential partner, it is wise to conduct a thorough background check to assess the company’s capabilities. By analyzing the firm’s portfolio, reviews, and testimonials from past clients, you can determine the firm’s capabilities, professionalism, and quality of output.
3. Look at the size of the firm
A company’s size is often overlooked, but it is one of the best indicators to determine a provider’s ability to perform its tasks. The smaller the company, the more you can devote to a project, and the easier it is to manage a team. But this often means working with limited resources — people, tools, and technology. Large companies may have advanced technology and resources, but they may not always be given the highest priority or be assigned the best people, especially for smaller projects. 4.
4. Look at the company’s experience.
Vendors also need to show that they’ve experience working with companies similar to yours or handling projects similar to yours. This will help you assess the quality and creativity of their output. Experience working with big brands, especially with Fortune 500 companies, is a good indicator of capability.
5. Price
Be wary of contractors who offer overly attractive prices, often at the expense of quality. The ideal partner is a company that offers competitive pricing. While the goal is to reduce costs, price should not be the primary deciding factor when selecting a contractor. Quality should always come first.
6. Flexibility
Projects can be complex. For a project to be effective, the development methodology needs to be flexible. Therefore, finding an offshore development partner that can flexibly adapt to your project requirements is essential. The development methodology is also an essential factor here. Agile development methodologies have room for flexibility in development.
7. Impeccable Communication
There should be a sufficient and appropriate framework to facilitate smooth communication between the client and the offshore development company. Before starting a project, it is often necessary to agree on a communication model that provides a forum for evaluation throughout the execution of the project. This includes deciding on the time frame for sign-off and the channels to be used.
Cultural considerations may need to be taken into account when selecting a vendor.
8. Validate the tools used.
It is also essential to ask about the tools used for source control and error tracking. This is part of assessing the effectiveness of the vendor’s quality assurance framework. An offshore development company should utilize the most effective tools to track, document, and correct errors during the development process. Source code tracking tools and error tracking tools are significant indicators in determining the success of a software development project.
9. Sweet Spot Project
This requires some research but knowing the areas that a software development company should focus on will help you find the right partner. You can find this out by just looking at their portfolio, but it is also important to critically evaluate their expertise. You may also need to establish communication to get a clear picture of their focus and specialties.
10. Service Level Agreements (SLA)
This is a binding document that ensures that the customer and the offshore web or mobile app development company are on the same page. It is part of the contracting process and is at an advanced stage. Nevertheless, it is an important document that clarifies the nature of the engagement. Ensure that all guidelines and rules of engagement are agreed upon to ensure the project’s success.
Conclusion
Offshore development will continue to expand. I hope the above mentioned tips will help you choose the ideal vendor for your project. But more importantly, it is essential to understand that technology is evolving at a rapid pace. Therefore, partnering with a well-versed web application development company in applying the latest disruptive technologies can help you future-proof your business.
