10 FAQs When Meeting a Custom Software Development Agency

Choosing the right custom software development agency is the most crucial step when deciding to outsource your IT process. Asking the right questions can help you better understand the working culture and methodology of the company and ensure it aligns with your own values and goals.

Thus, below we compiled the top 10 questions we most often get during introductory meetings with clients. Use them to prepare better and learn from our experience.

What services and solutions do you offer?

It’s essential to know the full range of services a custom software development agency provides. You might need only back-end developers now, experienced in GoLang or Java, but thinking long-term is key when choosing a partner. In the future, for example, you may require quality assurance, or AI and Cybersecurity services. A partner with broad technology and industry expertise offers flexibility and allows you to scale seamlessly when needed. It’s quite common in our work for clients to request upscaling of their team and involve new roles mid-project. Thus, your vendor has to be able to provide the required talent as soon as possible in order to not waste any budget or time, risking meeting crucial deadlines.

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What is your unique value proposition? How are you different?

With so many software development companies out there, you should identify what makes a potential partner stand out and how that can benefit your project. At Accedia, one of our key differentiators is providing a dedicated Engineering Manager for each project. They take charge of Agile team supervision, stakeholder management, technical objectives, and project roadmap planning. The role manages to streamline project delivery and create a development process that’s adaptable and responsive to change.

Take our work with a leading financial client, for example, who needed to develop and maintain 11 critical services, including authentication and document generation APIs. Our Engineering Manager stepped in to coordinate with stakeholders and lead an Agile team, ensuring every piece was delivered on time and to the highest quality. By actively managing risks and quickly integrating client feedback, they drove continuous improvement throughout the project, ultimately contributing to its success.

What experience do you have in our industry?

In addition to technical expertise, industry-specific knowledge is also important when selecting a custom software development agency. Ask for their experience in your sector and don’t hesitate to request referrals or references. Sometimes a recommendation from a current or former client speaks louder than a polished company presentation. Go into detail and reach out to previous clients, Clutch references, or people who have worked with your partner of choice. Ask for case studies and portfolios of projects. See examples of the work and projects that the company has gone through.

What technology stack do you work with?

Having a broad technology stack is important when choosing a long-term software development partner. Ensure the company can provide a well-rounded team that includes roles such as Quality Assurance consultants, Designers, and Cybersecurity experts. The ability to test applications for AI readiness or conduct a cybersecurity audit can be invaluable.

Additionally, you should look at the technology capabilities from all angles. Inquire about their experience with the specific technologies you need now, but also explore their ability to support future needs, such as integrating new trends like AI, cloud computing, and microservices.

What team structures and roles do you have?

Understanding the team structures and roles available at a software development company is important. Will you need a dedicated team or staff augmentation? Can the company provide different roles and technical expertise to suit your project’s evolving requirements?

At Accedia, for instance, we are flexible in offering various engagement models, including staff augmentation and dedicated development teams. Our internal teams include Engineering Managers, Software and Quality Assurance consultants, UI/UX Designers, Business Analysts, and more, allowing us to structure a product or development team with diverse capabilities based on the client’s specific project needs.

Dedicated software development teams vs staff augmentation

What is the process you follow?

A solid process is the foundation of a successful development project. Ask about the vendor’s development approach, methodologies, and how they ensure collaboration and transparency.

In our processes we prioritize Agile delivery, emphasizing iterative development and close collaboration with clients. The Agile practices we follow enhance the development process and empower our clients to become more agile themselves. We also employ technical practices such as code review, continuous integration, automated testing, and performance measurement through KPIs. Additionally, we’ve discovered that by maintaining transparent communication and close collaboration with clients, we also improve our service quality, accelerate delivery, and ensure certainty of outcomes.

How fast can you staff a team of 5/10/20 people?

Scalability is key when selecting a long-term partner. Inquire how quickly the company can staff teams of varying sizes to support your project’s growth.

Smaller and more flexible vendors can, for example, staff a team of 5-10 people with diverse technical expertise in under two weeks. Similarly, with time Accedia has gone from a team of 5 to over 30 working on different core projects within a client’s business. This, however, goes hand in hand with a vendor’s focus on growing internal talent and maintaining a pool of skilled professionals ready to take on new opportunities. As challenging as it may be to always have consultants knowledgeable in all the latest tech trends, that’s what’s going to distinguish the right software development partner from the rest.

How do you ensure alignment with our expectations?

To ensure alignment with a software development partner, start by discussing the team structure and expertise to confirm they match your project’s needs. Meeting key team members early can help gauge whether their skills and culture align with yours. Our practice is to also establish clear communication channels and regular check-ins to keep both sides in sync. We define project goals, deadlines, and how changes will be managed to avoid misunderstandings.

Cultural fit also matters. While your teams don’t need identical cultures, shared values in collaboration and quality will make the partnership smoother. Ask about how they ensure transparency, such as through regular updates or progress reports.

Lastly, going back to a point made earlier, request client references to gain insights from past partnerships. This can help confirm whether the vendor consistently meets expectations and adapts well to different requirements.

What are the advantages of the local market?

Each region has its perks in software development outsourcing. Now is the time to get to know not just your potential partner, but the local region and market itself. For example, while Asia is known for competitive rates and Western Europe for aligning with local business practices, Bulgaria can offer a unique blend. Known as the "European Silicon Valley," it boasts over 70,000 skilled software professionals and a top-tier infrastructure that supports this talent, ranking 11th in mobile internet speed globally.

Additionally, what you should expect from the Eastern European region is its commitment to long-term partnerships. Software development vendors here focus on delivering high-quality services with a strong sense of loyalty, making Bulgaria a strategic choice for companies seeking reliable and skilled development teams. So, cover this topic as well during your meeting.

Outsourcing IT services to Bulgaria: A game changer for Nordic Tech

What IT standards and practices do you follow?

Compliance with industry standards and certifications is critical when choosing a software development partner. Make sure they are up to date with GDPR, security protocols, and relevant quality certifications.

Some important ones to make sure your vendor is compliant with are:

• ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management)
• ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management)
• ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management)
• TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange)

Of course, Microsoft, AWS, and Google certifications provide additional value as they are proof of the continuous advancement in specialized solution areas like process automation, IoT, and cloud migration.

What are the next steps?

That is just the beginning. Use those questions and gather as much information critical to making a well-educated decision. Then always clarify the next steps at the end of your conversation. Make sure to sign an NDA, review portfolios, and schedule follow-up meetings with the technical and management teams. Align expectations on delivery models, communication channels, and timelines, and start small before expanding the partnership.

Hopefully, you found our FAQs useful! If you need any or additional information, don’t hesitate to reach out.