Software development company, how to hire one?

When we find ourselves at a juncture of implementing new software, applications, systems, or portals in our company, uncertainties linger regarding the options available to achieve our objectives.

We pause to consider whether it is better to assemble a development team, purchase or subscribe to a market product with limitations, or engage a specialized company in the development of 100% custom software.

The first point is that building a development team will require a high level of technical expertise from HR to hire suitable profiles, in addition to the time needed to train the team and make them productive in deliveries.

On the other hand, a pre-built market system that addresses a pain point in a specific sector of the company often ends up being two extremes: either it has few functionalities or excessive functionalities that do not solve the problem.

This is without taking into account the low customization of the system (or none at all, in many cases) to address issues in specific company processes, which can only be resolved in a way that aligns with the business reality.

Ultimately, when opting for a market software/system, the software does not adapt to the company’s processes; rather, it’s the opposite—the market software is already ready, and the company’s processes must adapt.

Therefore, in the case of companies with more complex processes, a custom software development solution may be the best option for the organization and the more efficient flow of activities.

So, to assist you with the third option, which is to develop a tailor-made software, we have prepared this article covering the following topics:

The optimal time to hire a development company
Stages of the hiring process
Factors to consider in your decision-making process

When is the best time to hire a development company?

As we discussed earlier regarding the decision to assemble an in-house development team or opt for off-the-shelf market software, first and foremost, you need to determine if you are ready to engage a specialized vendor.

When talking to potential clients, one of the questions we always ask is whether the company has conducted a thorough market research to identify any existing market solutions that could address their pain points.

In some cases, we already know that there isn’t, especially when a company wants to create software for a highly customized process or even for a new business model.

If the company also aims to commercialize this software or if its focus is a crucial strategy within the business, in these cases, a custom software solution is still the way to go.

Below are some questions we pose to our potential clients to help them understand the moment when there is that specific demand or opportunity:

Is there any market solution that solves your problem?
Are you aware of the cost differences between adopting a market solution and developing a 100% customized one?
Does the solution you want to develop have a clear Return on Investment (ROI)? In other words, if you invest, for example, 300 thousand reais, how soon will this investment return to you when the software is functional?
What is the priority of this project for the company? Is it just a feasibility analysis, or is it a critical pain point that causes the company to lose money?

Now, for the company that decides to assemble an internal team, the questions are more straightforward and are based on two significant challenges that drive the search for a software development company:

Does the company have experience in hiring developers?
Does the company have experience in managing development teams?
Is the company facing high demand and needs to find a partner to support activities with operational bottlenecks?

After considering these critical points, we also analyze the project’s size because if there is a need for more than a thousand hours of work, a freelance professional may not be sufficient.

Thus, within this entire analysis and the business needs, we see that it is the right time to seek a specialized company in custom software development, such as Ubistart.

In some cases, we also provide support for existing systems, and you can explore this topic in other articles on our blog:

Stages of the hiring process

In the process of hiring a software development company, it is necessary to go through several stages that will guide you towards a choice that aligns with what your company truly needs.

Initiating contact with selected companies is crucial, allowing you to get to know them better and assess if they work in line with your thought process.

For instance, some companies operate solely on a fixed scope, while others function in an open scope. Here, Ubistart operates in both modalities, and you can see the difference between the two models below:

Projects in the fixed scope model: The software development factory must adhere to a macro schedule and budget with low flexibility for changes during tool construction. Additionally, penalties may be imposed for delayed delivery.

Projects in the open scope model: The software development factory needs to deliver every two weeks (sprint) following the agile methodology as the development process. There is no macro schedule, as there is flexibility for scope changes during development. The software development factory offers the option to allocate a development team rather than a defined scope to be fulfilled.

Choosing the best model

With this understanding and considering your hiring culture or that of the company, you will know which model fits best. Just as there are large corporations rigid in their hiring model, there are also more flexible companies.

These flexible companies tend to seek a more mature software supplier that instills confidence to operate in the open scope model, delivering all commitments within agreed timelines.

Finally, it’s essential to understand the company’s process in each of the models, whether fixed or open scope, and formalize it legally to avoid future issues.

After the decision, the chosen company performs a diagnosis to understand what it can do to meet your needs and those of your clients, such as whether it is necessary to work on application development.

The subsequent phases include planning, setting all goals, creating a prototype for adjustments, and then commencing development.

Once this phase is completed, the software moves to the publication stage. Depending on the requirements, it may initially be released in a limited fashion for the identification of potential flaws.

Of course, the work doesn’t stop there, and software providers must offer continuous support to ensure that the system’s functionalities continue to respond positively.

What Should Influence Your Choice

Before hiring a software development company, there are several factors to consider, such as the purpose of the software to be developed and the companies that align with that purpose.

Defining the available budget is also crucial, as it allows you to rule out companies that exceed your financial limits. It’s also beneficial to determine whether it’s better to work with a fixed package or an open scope.

Another key point is that the discussion with the company should not solely revolve around technology; it’s crucial that they also have a business-oriented perspective. This ensures the delivery of a product that will stand out in the market.

In the ever-demanding business world, companies need to provide remarkable experiences to their customers. Therefore, a software development company must understand market strategies.

Meet Ubistart!

Ubistart develops customized solutions embedded in a culture of innovation that is integral to the company’s philosophy. We have a team dedicated to futuristic studies and improvement labs.

First and foremost, we prioritize our commitment to our clients, aiming to deliver software solutions that make a positive impact.

Struggling to find the best alternative to develop the solution you need? We are the company that can solve your problem! Get in touch and speak with one of our business consultants.