Top Questions To Ask a Software Development Company in 2025

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has become a new normal for everyone, especially businesses. With the rapid change in industries all around the globe, most businesses have been on the lookout for ways to cut costs, increase efficiency, and maintain profits. Many organisations have found outsourcing to a bespoke software development company to be a viable solution and, for some businesses, it is an absolute need of the hour.

If you are a company looking to outsource your software development project, here’s a guide to prepare you to outsource the right way. Software outsourcing comes with endless choices of software providers, a plethora of services, and greatly varying costs. As a software outsourcing newbie, it can get overwhelming to select the right outsourcing company, and any poor decision can jeopardise your project.

Here are ten important questions that you need to ask a software development firm when considering outsourcing your project to them. This list of questions will help you gauge the experience of the software outsourcing company and their methods of operation and development. 

Key to Software Outsourcing Success – Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Offshore Development Team

When assessing a software development company to outsource your project, it is important to not only assess their skills and experience in developing software but their ability to deliver a project similar to yours and their experience in collaborating with clients similar to yours. Here is the criteria you can use to judge the suitability of the software company for your project.

The Criteria For Hiring an Outsourcing Development Team

Expertise and Experience

Look for a team with a proven track record in your industry or similar projects. Check case studies, client reviews, and references to ensure they have the required experience to deliver quality results.

Technical Skills and Tech Stack

Evaluate their proficiency in relevant programming languages, frameworks, and tools. Ensure their tech stack aligns with your project’s requirements and can scale as needed.

Communication and Cultural Fit

Effective communication is key to successful collaboration. Assess their responsiveness, clarity, and ability to understand your goals. Cultural compatibility can enhance teamwork and reduce potential conflicts.

Project Management Approach

A strong project management strategy ensures timelines, milestones, and deliverables are met. Inquire about their methodologies (Agile, Scrum, etc.) and tools to track progress and maintain accountability.

Cost and Budget

Choose a team that fits your budget without compromising quality. Compare pricing models (fixed cost, hourly, or retainer) and ensure transparency in costs to avoid unexpected expenses.

Here are some important questions you must ask a potential outsourcing partner.

Do They Have Experience With Similar Projects?

This is a good question to get started with. When you reach out to a software company with your project and tell them your requirements, it is important to inquire about their past experience with projects that have similar requirements to yours. A software provider may claim to have extensive experience and convince you about their track record but words are not enough. It is crucial to ask the company to provide case studies and portfolios of previous projects so you can have a better idea of the work they have done in the past.

It is better and safer to choose a company that has experience working with clients in the same industry as yours.

Have They Worked With Clients From This Location?

Your location and the location of the software company you want to outsource to can be a major deal-breaker in the success of your project. This is especially true if you are outsourcing to an offshore software development company. The time difference and cultural and linguistic barriers between you and your outsourcing partner are important to factor in. Ask the software development company if they have previously worked with clients located near you and how they managed to overcome these barriers and successfully deliver the product. Their response will reveal whether or not they can manage remote teamwork and collaboration.  

How Much Does An App Cost?

This is a big one! And it is a question you should definitely ask before working with a software development company. When it comes to software projects, it is important to work out a realistic budget and find a software development company that can work within it.

Discuss the different pricing models that the software company offers and the estimated cost of development for a project like yours.

It is practically impossible for a software company to tell you the exact cost in the very first meeting, but an expert software company should be able to provide you with a realistic range of development costs after carefully considering your requirements. 

To read up more on software development costs, you need to check out our dedicated article on ‘How much does it cost to develop custom software?’ It will give you a thorough rundown of factors and features that impact the cost of development.

Always bear in mind that you’re not actually paying for the features of your application; it is the development time taken to build different features that ultimately influences your final cost. It is also important to ask yourself if you are prioritizing cost over quality because some offshore development companies, such as those based in India and China, offer lower rates which can be appealing for startups trying to cut costs.

Although going offshore may seem more cost-effective, the total cost of development could end up higher than expected due to several factors and risks.

Do they offer custom development services?

It’s essential to confirm whether the company provides tailored solutions to meet your unique business needs. Custom development ensures that the software aligns with your specific requirements rather than forcing you to adapt to generic, off-the-shelf solutions. Ask about their process for understanding your goals and whether they have experience delivering personalised applications in your industry.

How Will The Project Be Managed?

Project management methods can vary greatly between companies so this a good question to ask an app development company up-front. There are different steps within the software development lifecycle such as:

• Research and Requirement Analysis 
• Design and Prototyping  
• Writing Code
• Testing  
• Deployment
• Ongoing Support and Maintenance Post-Launch

The software company’s answer to this question will tell you the SDLC model they follow to go through the stages of software development. Most developers follow a mix of the agile and waterfall methodologies. Agile is an iterative process that breaks down the development process into smaller ‘sprints’  and allows changes and feedback to be incorporated at every iteration. On the other hand, Waterfall is a traditional approach that structures the development process into defined stages that need to be completed in a linear sequential order.

This will also help you determine the level of involvement the developers would require from you. For instance, agile practices require more involvement and feedback from the clients at every iteration whereas the waterfall model typically only requires clients’ involvement at the initial stages of software development.

What development methodologies do they use?

Understanding a software development company’s methodologies is vital for evaluating their development process and how it aligns with your project. Ask whether they use agile methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban, which focus on flexibility, client involvement, and iterative improvements through short sprints. Alternatively, some companies may prefer the Waterfall model, a sequential approach ideal for projects with clearly defined requirements. Inquire about their use of project management tools and how their development environment supports collaboration and tracking throughout the software development lifecycle.

What Does Their Typical Process and Timeline Look Like?

Understanding the development process and timeline is key to ensuring your project runs smoothly. Ask the company to outline their workflow, including phases like requirement gathering, design, development, testing, and deployment. Also, ask what development method they follow. Agile, which emphasises flexibility and iterative progress, or the Waterfall method, which is more structured and sequential. A clear explanation of their approach, from initial planning to final delivery, will help you gauge how they manage timelines and adapt to changes during the project.

What Pricing and Engagement Models Do They Have?

When evaluating a software development company, ask about their pricing and engagement models to determine which suits your needs. The fixed pricing model is ideal for projects with well-defined requirements and a limited budget, offering low-financial risk with a set rate agreed upon in advance. For more flexible projects, the time and materials model charges based on real-time spent on design and coding, allowing for adjustments in the project schedule. Clarify their terms for upfront payment and how they handle client management throughout the engagement to ensure smooth collaboration and alignment with your budget and expectations.

What Technical Expertise and Talents Do They Have on Their Team?

This is one of the most important questions to ask an app development company. Most software development companies have teams that are assigned to each project and it is necessary to discuss the team composition beforehand. Based on the requirements of your project, an expert software development company should be able to advise what roles and expertise are needed for it. Usually, a team comprises the project manager(s), developers, UI/UX designers, and testing and quality assurance engineers. You can also ask the company to provide the resumes of their team members to better assess their technical capabilities.

What technology stacks do they typically use?

Understanding the technology stacks a company uses helps determine if they are equipped to meet your project requirements. Ask about the programming languages, frameworks, and tools they specialise in. For example, do they use front-end technologies like React or Angular and back-end frameworks like Node.js or .NET? What databases (e.g., MySQL, MongoDB) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) do they support? Additionally, inquire about their use of development tools like Git for version control or Jira for project management. A diverse and modern tech stack indicates their capability to handle complex and innovative projects.

What Will Happen After the Application Is Launched?

The project does not end with the launch of the application. There is a lot that can go wrong after the software is deployed. Therefore, it is important to know the scope of any post-launch services offered by the software development company. Most software providers offer a warranty period and post-launch maintenance and support services to keep their clients’ applications up and running.

How Will My Application Be Tested and How Do They Track Bugs/Issues?

Proper testing and bug tracking methods are important to ensure the fault-free performance of your application. A ‘bug’ is a technical issue that makes your app crash once users take certain actions. After your app is launched, you will receive a lot of feedback –  there might come to the surface some bugs that make the app less usable or accessible on certain devices or OS versions. This means there must be a system in place to report bugs and issues so they are resolved by the developers and therefore, this is an essential question to ask when outsourcing software development.

Who Will Own the Source Code When the Application Is Completed?

Businesses that lack the know-how of software development often overlook this important question. In simpler terms, source code means the one who owns the lines of code behind your application. The only correct answer to this question is ‘You’. As a client who is paying for the development of the application, you should have complete rights over the source code of your application. Any software development company that does not give you sole ownership over the source code is not worth considering.

Can They Provide Good References From Previous Clients?

References from previous clients can help you verify the claims of the software development company and assure you of their credibility.

You should always ask for at least a couple of clients’ references, clients who can speak well about their experience with the software development company. You should also consider verified business review websites such as Clutch and Manifest. A software company’s client reviews and ratings on Clutch will provide you with insights about both the quality and scope of their services (e.g. see our Clutch profile here).

Additional Questions to Ask

• How does your company handle project ownership and intellectual property rights?
• What disaster recovery and security measures do you have?
• How do you handle scalability and flexibility if project requirements change?
• What post-development support services do you offer?
• How do you handle changes in project scope or requirements during development?
• Can you explain your quality assurance process?
• Do you have experience with software localisation for international markets?
• How do you measure software performance?
• Do you ensure regulatory compliance for applications?
• To what extent can clients be involved in the development process?
• Do you have partnerships with technology vendors or platforms that could benefit the project?

Wrapping Up

While interviewing and vetting different software development outsourcing companies, you should ask them the ten questions outlined in this article. The product that your software partner builds for you is an investment on your part. Therefore, you need to make sure that the development team you choose meets certain standards. A software company that is able to meet the criteria that we have discussed in this article will surely produce software applications that fulfil your needs as well as quality benchmarks, making your time and monetary investment worthwhile. 

Before we sign off, here are three important tips to make your interview process efficient:

1. Always prepare an elevator pitch: An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive summary that explains your idea in less than 30 seconds. You should be able to explain the software application you want to have developed in a brief and concise manner.
2. Always do your own research: You must do your research for every claim and reference that a software development company provides to you. Verify all the provided information to make an informed decision.
3. Take your time: Planning and selecting the right software development firm is the most important decision of your project. Remember to take your time to thoroughly interview and evaluate your option so you can make the right choice.

Good luck! 

FAQs

Why is GoodCore a good fit?

GoodCore is an ideal fit for software development projects due to an extensive experience, client-centric approach, and commitment to delivering high-quality, custom solutions. Our skilled team leverages modern technologies and proven methodologies to ensure on-time, cost-effective results. With a focus on transparency and collaboration, GoodCore builds software that perfectly aligns with your business needs.

What are the questions asked of software developers?

Software developers are typically asked about their technical expertise, such as proficiency in specific programming languages, frameworks, and tools. Employers may also inquire about their problem-solving abilities, experience with past projects, and familiarity with development methodologies like Agile. Additionally, questions about teamwork, communication, and handling challenges are common to assess their overall fit.

What is the biggest challenge in software development?

The biggest challenge in software development is effectively managing changing requirements while staying on schedule and within budget. Balancing technical complexities, user expectations, and resource constraints requires careful planning and adaptability. Clear communication and robust project management practices are crucial to overcoming these hurdles.

What is the first question that should be asked when planning a software project?

The first question to ask is: What problem are we solving? Clearly defining the project’s goals and the challenges it addresses sets the foundation for its success. Understanding the target audience, key features, and desired outcomes helps shape the project’s scope and priorities from the start.

How do software development teams handle changes during the project?

Software development teams typically manage changes using Agile methodologies, which allow for flexibility and iterative updates. They assess the impact of the change on the timeline, budget, and scope, then communicate adjustments with stakeholders. Clear processes for tracking and implementing changes ensure minimal disruption to the project.

What is the optimal size of a software team?

The optimal size of a software team typically ranges from 5 to 10 members, depending on the project’s complexity. A smaller team ensures better communication and collaboration, while a larger team may be necessary for projects requiring diverse expertise. The key is to balance team size with project scope to maintain efficiency and productivity.