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How to choose the right IT contractor?

In many companies, the creation and support of IT projects requires cooperation with external IT contractors. And choosing the right performer is a critical step that can affect the success or failure of your project.

In this article, we will analyze how to make informed decisions when choosing an IT contractor and what you should pay special attention to.

Before starting to search for a contractor, it is necessary to clearly define the goals of the project and the business tasks that it must solve. This step includes an analysis of the needs and requirements for the IT contractor.

It is important to understand what specific results you expect from the contractor's work in order to set up the search most effectively.

  • Reviews

Review reviews and recommendations from other clients. The experience of other customers can be a valuable source of information about the reliability and professionalism of the contractor. Conduct interviews with previous clients to get more detailed information about the quality of the contractor's work.

  • Choosing the work format

This stage already depends on what you need IT contractors for, because many companies can work in hourly development mode, or with a fixed term. You can get acquainted with our development processes here and here.

  • Price

Compare the cost of services from different contractors, but remember that the choice should not always depend only on the price. A more expensive contractor can provide better services. Understand the details of the price structure and understand what services are included in the offer.

  • Average implementation period

Evaluate the deadlines that the contractors offer. Compare them with your own project timelines and deadlines. Consider the possibility of speeding up or slowing down the work, depending on your requirements. Usually our team implements medium-sized projects within 3-4 months.

  • Supervision of the manufacturing process

Remember the importance of monitoring the progress of the project. Regular updates and reports from the contractor will help you stay up to date and make adjustments as needed. Develop procedures for monitoring and evaluating contractor performance.

After a thorough analysis and comparison of candidates, it's time to make a choice.

Pay attention to the following aspects:

  • Comparison of candidates

Analyze all the collected data about candidates and make a comparison table to determine who best meets your requirements and budget. Evaluate the experience, competencies and reputation of each contractor.

  • Consideration of risk factors

Discuss the distribution of risks between you and the contractor, and also consider possible insurance measures to ensure the safety of the project. Set up risk management strategies and develop an action plan in case of problems.

  • Conclusion of the contract

The legal part of the transaction is no less important. Make sure that the contract contains all the key points and obligations of the parties. If necessary, consult with a lawyer specializing in information technology. You can find examples of the contract here and here.

Cooperation with an IT contractor requires attention and management. Don't forget:

  • Establishing clear communication

Maintain open and effective communication with the contractor throughout the project. Regular meetings and discussions will allow you to identify and solve problems at an early stage. When choosing a project or hourly development, our team communicates using a flexible Scrum methodology, sprints that last every 2 weeks.

  • Project execution monitoring

Regularly check whether the progress of the project meets your expectations and requirements. Use project management systems to track progress.

  • Change management and quality control

React to changes in the project and monitor the quality of work. Feel free to suggest improvements and adjustments if necessary. Conduct regular quality checks and product testing.

At the end of the project, conduct an analysis and evaluate the results. Check compliance with goals and expectations. This will help to learn lessons and improve future projects. Collect feedback from the project team and the customer to identify the strengths and weaknesses of cooperation with the IT contractor.

When interviewing candidates, you should ask detailed questions that will help you better understand the skills and experience of the contractor. Get information about the team and culture of the contractor's company to determine how they match your values and expectations.

Understand the different methods of determining the project budget, including cost estimation, fixed price methods, etc. Take into account possible additional costs and plan reserve funds for unforeseen circumstances.

Discuss the importance of quality control and product testing methods. Determine the criteria for the successful completion of the project and conduct testing to ensure that the results meet these criteria.

Consider providing support and training after the project is completed. Ensure smooth transition and training of employees who will use new systems or products.

Well, finally, we decided to tell you about five typical mistakes when choosing an IT contractor and how to avoid them:

  • Insufficient needs analysis

Error: A detailed analysis of the current and future needs of the company is not carried out.

How to avoid: Before choosing a contractor, conduct a thorough audit of the IT infrastructure and determine specific goals and requirements for the project.

  • Unclear expectations and requirements

Error: Customer expectations and project requirements are not documented clearly enough.

How to avoid: Conclude a detailed contract in which you write down all the deadlines, budget, functional requirements and expected results, it is important not to set a strict time frame and take into account any changes and additions to the project.

  • Insufficient expertise of the IT contractor

Error: Not enough research and inspections of the contractor are carried out.

How to avoid: Make a detailed comparison of various IT contractors, study their portfolio, read customer reviews and check their reputation.

  • Ignoring experience and recommendations

Mistake: The customer ignores recommendations and advice from experienced specialists.

How to avoid: Contact colleagues familiar with the industry for advice and recommendations on choosing a contractor.

  • Unbalanced focus on price

Error: The customer focuses too much on low cost and does not take into account the quality and experience of the contractor.

How to avoid: Keep a balance between price and quality.

Remember that a cheap solution can lead to additional costs and problems in the future.

By avoiding these mistakes, you will be able to choose an IT contractor more successfully and increase the probability of successful implementation of your project.

Choosing an IT contractor is an important stage for the success of the project. It requires mindfulness, analysis and communication. Following the recommendations presented and paying attention to each stage, you will be able to make an informed choice and ensure the successful implementation of the project.

If you want to develop your own project, you can submit a request on the sailet website.kz and our team will consult you for free!

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Максим Беляков

Oct. 2, 2023 15:29

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Shyngys True · Oct. 18, 2023 23:45

Выделение основных этапов и факторов при выборе IT-подрядчика важно для успешной реализации проекта.

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Нұрболат Елеш · Oct. 14, 2023 22:45

Выбор IT-подрядчика — важный этап для успеха проекта

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