What to Look for in a Software Development Partner (And What to Avoid)
Choosing a dev partner is as important as choosing a co-founder. A no-nonsense guide to evaluating software development companies before you commit.
Picking a dev partner is one of the highest-leverage decisions your team will make. The wrong choice burns months. The right one compounds value for years.
The difference between vendors and partners
Vendors execute the spec. Partners push back when the spec is wrong. You want push-back. The early signals are clear β listen for them in the first conversation.
Red flags in discovery calls
Vague answers about process. No questions about your goals. Promises of 'we can do anything'. Pricing without scope. Each is a small smell. Together they are a fire.
Questions to ask before signing a contract
Who specifically will work on this? How are decisions made? What happens when scope changes? Who owns the IP? What is the off-boarding plan? Get answers in writing.
How to evaluate technical proposals
Look for trade-offs explained, not just choices made. A proposal that lists three options and recommends one with rationale tells you the team has actually thought about your problem.
Ownership and IP: what to clarify upfront
Make sure code, designs, and credentials are yours from day one. Avoid white-label arrangements where leaving means losing access.
Defining success metrics before work begins
Agree on what 'done' and 'good' mean before sprint one. Usage, performance, feature completeness β pick something measurable. Otherwise success becomes a feeling, and feelings drift.