Every business in 2024 requires software development to boost efficiency, innovation, customer engagement, and overall success in a competitive market. When you outsource these services you save on the costs of hiring developers and free up more time and resources to achieve your business goals. A dedicated team of developers will ensure high standards in every project and this guide will walk you through the factors to consider when choosing a software development agency. Brights agency covers the common challenges of software outsourcing to help you anticipate and address potential issues before they escalate.
One of the main causes of software development failure is not understanding your project's goals and needs. Without clear requirements, a software agency cannot develop the ideal solution. Therefore, you should identify your needs and outline project goals to ensure both parties are aligned. Ask yourself these questions:
Clarifying these queries will align the software agency with your project's goals and timeline.
Choosing the first software development partner that pops up may cause inefficiencies, leading to delayed product launches or missed opportunities. You will also need to hire consultants or experienced developers to fix bugs in bad code, which adds to your financial burden. Think about these factors when searching for your next software agency:
A talk interview is standard in most industries but for software development, a technical interview will evaluate the depth of a candidate’s knowledge of their specific expertise. The candidates should clearly explain how they will approach your project and the tools/languages used for building code. A code review during the interviews will show you how well a candidate can handle your project. Furthermore, it will help you spot the cheaters using someone else’s code to highlight their prowess.
Every software agency should have a proven track record of success showing previously completed projects similar to what you want. They should also support any claims of experience using active references and allow you to test their publicly available products, read customer reviews, and check user ratings.
People often associate specialization with a narrow and niche skillset, but a software development company can also specialize in providing multiple services. However, the company should have significant experience working with clients in your industry and understand your project’s target market. Look for an organization that will follow your requirements while advising you in every phase of the development process.
Technology stack is the set of APIs, programming languages, frameworks, databases, and front and back-end tools a developer uses to build an application. An organization’s technologies should boost your software's development process, scalability, and future maintenance because some will be irrelevant to its requirements. When you need backend development services, for example, the company should be experienced in the relevant languages including Python, Node.js, and Javascript.
A company’s development methodology shows how it plans, executes, and manages projects. For example, Agile methodology is ideal for projects with changing requirements because it is flexible and includes regular feedback loops. Waterfall methodology is more appropriate if your project has well-defined requirements and needs fewer changes because it follows a sequential process from planning to deployment. Asses each methodology to know the one aligned with your project and choose a software agency experienced in using it and its best practices.
Did you know that a software development company can retain the rights to the source code of your application? Yes, and it will be difficult for you to make updates, forcing you to pay licensing fees. Before the development process begins, you can include in the contract that the software organization gives you full ownership rights and source code after project completion. This way, you will retain sole ownership of the software and can decide to copyright or trademark it as you please.
You should know the company’s organization, the roles of different team members, and how they collaborate to assess whether they have the skills and experience necessary for your project. Avoid companies without a formal team structure because they indicate disorganization and potential challenges in project management and communication. Working with such a team leads to inconsistent deliverables and difficulty in resolving issues promptly.
Before signing the contract, you need to understand the company’s policy on testing throughout all development stages. In this way, you will ensure the end product is reliable and functional and guarantees long-term performance. Moreover, you should confirm if they offer backup, support, and maintenance services and for how long to ensure they resolve issues promptly after deployment. Without post-development maintenance and support, you will face extended downtime, potential loss of data, and increased costs to resolve problems later.
Outsourcing project development means giving a foreign organization access and control over your sensitive information. You should know how the software agency plans to handle your data and the measures set to protect your idea, product, and solutions. Your development partner should also show you how they intend to counter cyber threats with their available security protocols.
Despite finding a software agency you think is the best fit for your project, some common challenges exist. The table below highlights the common challenges in outsourcing software development and their possible solutions:
| Challenge | Cause | Solution |
| Communication Barriers | Differences in language, time zones, or cultural understanding | Nearshore partners and tailored communication strategies |
| Quality Assurance and Control | Lack of oversight or differing standards | Define clear quality metrics, conduct regular reviews, and implement testing protocols. |
| Budget Overruns | Poor cost estimation or unexpected expenses | Conduct thorough initial budget planning and maintain transparent communication. |
| Data Security Risks | Vulnerabilities in data handling or storage | Ensure compliance with security standards, use encryption, and conduct regular audits. |
| Cultural Differences | Varied work ethics or communication styles | Foster cultural awareness and promote inclusive team-building activities. |
| Transition Management Challenges | Difficulty in integrating outsourced teams | Develop a comprehensive transition plan, provide adequate resources, and monitor progress. |
By Chris Bates
