There is no slowing of the growth in software development according to forecasts to 2023. A growth of 8% per year is predicted with development in computer-aided design and automation leading the charge. We’re all going to need software consulting to help us to leverage the benefits.
If the software is not delivering the benefits you expect, perhaps you need to hire a software consultant. But how do you get the right one? Here are a few questions that you should ask before you commit.
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1. Are They Relevant?
Imagine this scenario. You are playing a round of golf and your golf buddy is singing the praises of a software development company he is working with. They’ve turned around a major business problem and saved the company from certain disaster.
Not only are these consultants responsible for saving his business but they work for peanuts. And they’re really nice people too. You really need to get these consultants in to solve your software crisis.
The problem with this approach to hiring a software consultant is that it doesn’t recognize the diversity of software consulting. You need to ensure that the expertise of any prospective software development consultants is relevant to the issue you need addressing.
Relevance relates to the software application, the industry or market you are in and the task you want them to do for you.
2. Are They Competent?
You need to know whether the software consultant company you are considering has the competence to deliver the solution you need. Competence is a function of knowledge, skills, and experience.
Check out what accreditations they have. Do they train and keep their people up to date with the latest software releases? They may have attended training and be qualified but have they had experience of working with the appropriate software?
3. Are They Successful?
For projects to be successful, you need a software consultant that delivers results. It’s not just about technical expertise. It’s about completion on time and on budget.
A track record of successful projects indicates that they will deliver in the future too. Ask for referees and talk to them about how successful their projects were. Did the software consultant deliver on their promises and did the project deliver results for the business?
4. Are They Value for Money?
When software consultants are competing for business it’s easy to use price as a comparator. You might think consultants are expensive, but consider the cost of choosing the wrong one. Unfortunately, the lowest price does not always mean the best value.
Compare a number of factors along with price to determine the true value of their offer. What is included in the service they provide? A true, value for money software consultant acts as if they are in a long-term relationship with you and at the same time supports knowledge transfer so you can become self-sufficient.
You have a vision for your business and for your software project. You need a software consultant who gets your vision. This means they have to be great at listening and understanding you and your needs.
It might be tempting to ask questions about what a software consultant can do for you. This is part of the process of selecting a consultant but don’t be put off if they ask a lot of questions too. Ask yourself if they are asking good questions, listening actively and understanding your needs.
Is Every Software Consultant the Same?
Not every software consultant is suitable for you and your challenge. That doesn’t mean they are not great at what they do. It means that getting the right consultant for you is key.
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