6 Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Technical Partner

Updated August 4, 2022

We’ve all heard the saying, “If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.”

But with a rapid change in technology, this rule doesn’t seem to bring any advantage. As a market evolves every day, it becomes a daunting task to keep up with the latest trends while doing it all. 

Whether you are a startup or a large corporation, you may come to a point when you need a reliable technical partner  who can back you up with relevant technical expertise and years of experience while letting you focus on core business needs and vision.

The right partnership will be key to your future scale and success. So, cost aside, you want to find someone whose values and vision align with yours.

Of course, the right technical partner for every company will be different. Still, from ten years of Visartech experience serving our clients on different kinds of projects, there are crucial points and set of questions you’ll never go wrong with. 

Browse Clutch’s directory of software development companies.

 
Some of these traits include: 

• Communication skills
• Expertise
• Transparency 
• Commitment 
• Pricing 
• Testimonials

Let's see what goes into each point and which essential matters should be thought through before the final decision of sourcing the right technical partner.

1. Communication Is a Key Ingredient

Open communication plays a vital role in any partnership. And this is something you should consider starting from the first intro or discovery call with a company.

Think about the following questions:

• Do they communicate clearly? 
• Do they ask questions to understand the specifics of your business and the challenges you are trying to solve? 
• Or do they speak about money first? 
• Do they listen and understand your priorities?  
• Are they open about potential risks? 
• Do they respond promptly to your emails when the call is finished?

This point seems to be simple and obvious. But we would like to highlight it as very few companies are actually able to ensure that level of communication and honesty. And since trust is key – this point becomes crucial and defines the success of your relations.

2. Consider the Difference Between Knowledge and Expertise

Any full-service development company should have the expertise in the relevant technology stack that covers your branch. But what differentiates the right development team from just a good one?

It’s the ability to guide you all the way through, consult and suggest innovative solutions that would work specifically for your business needs. 

Therefore, certain questions should be raised beforehand:

• Do they explain why certain technology is better for your project? 
• Do they think out of the box? 
• Do they understand that every project is unique and requires a custom approach? 
• What challenges did they solve in their past projects? 
• Are they creative and flexible when it comes to problem-solving? 

It's no longer enough just to write readable code. Real expertise is when the company has the years of experience and competence to find a solution that fits your strategy and leads to a successful outcome. 

3. Considering the Price

You don’t want to get the cheapest service, but definitely the most cost-effective one. 

Don’t let the price be the only defining aspect. What looks like a “better deal” at first can actually make you pay 2-3x times more. What if your product doesn’t work and you need to rewrite it from scratch?

Still, maintaining the budget is a significant concern and plays an important role in the decision-making process. Your stakeholders likely want to be involved in these discussions as well. 

Make sure the company offers value, and it is worth the cost. In the long run, you want to have a technical partner who will help you return your investments, not only save those. 

Hence think about the following:

• Do they provide value?
• Do they give clear and easy-to-understand estimations?
• Do they suggest options to optimize the resources?

So even if you get the numbers that seem to be higher than your initial expectations, the company inspires confidence in the result and offers a reasonable working model  - we recommend not making price a priority. It’s only one component in the whole puzzle.

4. Own a Transparent Working Process

Make sure the working process is well-defined, clear, and allows you to track the progress throughout the whole development cycle. 

The company that knows what they do will provide you with a detailed working plan and metrics for your project and describe every stage of the development. Moreover, they will constantly update you on the progress and give you access to a task-tracking system and other project management tools, so you can easily follow the sprints and provide feedback.

Find out about the company operating:

• Do they have a clear working process and workflow?
• Do they provide you with the tools you can follow the progress and control the development process?
• Are they open to adjusting their process to your specific needs?
• What are your company’s methodology and technical ecosystem? 

As a client, don’t be afraid to ask questions and provide honest feedback, even if it’s not always positive. It will help both sides to make improvements in the process, so it’s even more effective.

5. Commitment to Client’s Success

Software projects can encounter anticipated issues due to fast-moving technologies. The right technology partner or technical partner manager will never hide problems but rather be open about them and act proactively, suggesting ways to overcome those. 

Some crucial issues to raise:

• Do they try to understand your long-term goals and priorities?
• Do they develop the product the way that it’s scalable?
• Do they support you during the development process and when the product is ready?

A client-oriented partner will ensure that you get the technology solution that works for your specific business needs and supports your immediate and future goals.

6. Testimonials and References

Even if your potential technical partner leaves you with zero doubts and meets all the points listed above, real client feedback might be helpful and give you a better picture of what to expect. 

Be sure to check references and make sure they’re required in the job description.

Ask your next technical partner the following when it comes to past work:

• Do they have testimonials on their website or other platforms?
• Are they on social media like LinkedIn?
• Are they open to referring you to the clients they worked with so you can get transparent feedback?

Search through special platforms meant to show clients reviews on the most known development firms. 

Moreover, they often create lists of the best development companies within certain regions and areas of expertise.

Selected technology experts share their knowledge on specialized platforms like Quora, Reddit, etc. It forms an additional layer of authority.

The most straightforward way to get real feedback about the tech company is to ask for a reference from their existing or previous clients. The company that brings value to its clients will be happy to refer you to the right person to talk to.

Define Your Perfect Technical Partner

Whether you’re in the nonprofit or healthcare industry, the right technical partner is for your business. 

Choosing a technical partner can be challenging, take a lot of time and emotional effort. But accessing the aforementioned qualities, you can be certain that you will find the right one with your job posting. 

Here's a checklist of the most essential questions to raise once deciding on the best tech partner for your convenience:

Check all the points to save valuable time and comprehensively verify your ideal technology partner.

Your idea is unique. Find a team that will understand your priorities, build a solid, high-quality product for you, support you all through, and bring your business to the next level.

Additional Reading:

• What is a Soft Launch in Software Development? 
• How to Create a Software Development Plan
• How Long Does it Take to Learn Web Development?

About the Author

Anastasiia Udovichenko Sales and Business Development, Visartech Inc.

Creator of opportunities at Visartech Inc. with 5 years in sales and business development. Passionate about delivering value using immersive technologies and transforming traditional businesses into Digital Kings.

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