Best Practices for Building Coding Partnerships

I've spoken to 300+ SMB leaders who've spent millions on IT partners and end up with broken promises. Ask 3 questions to find one that creates real impact: 1) Do they manage outcomes in addition to supplying talent? Most tech partners follow a basic 'talent outsourcing' model: - Ask a few questions about your needs - Source talent that matches - Hand them over to you to manage There are a couple problems with this approach: → Worst Case: You're left with a developer-only team → Best Case: You get a diverse team but lack the technical background to manage them (This applies unless you're a management savvy CTO.) Talented developers and designers need strategic leadership to build successful software projects. Make sure your tech partner provides said leadership and holds themselves accountable for the final solution. 2) Do they have UX expertise or a design studio? Design is often the most overlooked aspect of software development. An intuitive, user-friendly design - Simplifies complex features - Guides users to solutions quickly It's just as important as making sure the software gets the job done. So, look for an IT partner with proven UX capabilities or a dedicated design team. They should follow a structured process, like: - Conducting user research & interviews - Detailed discovery workshops - Defining user personas - Creating user flows - Wireframing, prototyping, and testing (This is our method at @Incepteo.) Writing code should NOT start before finalizing design to avoid re-coding or re-designing. Last but not least: 3) Do they provide CTO advisory? The Project Manager is usually responsible for the software's timeline, budget and scope – but having a CTO prevents you from facing many potential roadblocks. They: - Spearhead strategy and implementation - Review the software's design and structure - Share on the dos and don'ts based on past experience The best part is: they don't need to be present full-time. 1 hour of CTO advisory per month is enough to help most businesses move in the right direction. — If your company's investing time and money into a solution, make sure your partner provides the talent, design, and advisory for you to succeed. Ask these questions on the vendor selection call to see if they could be a fit. And, if you're tired of failed projects and ineffective solutions, send me a message on LinkedIn so we can chat about your requirements and needs. (We answer YES to all 3 questions 😄)

Last month a startup founder called me in a panic. Their product launch was 6 months overdue. The budget was hemorrhaging. Their "rock star" dev team? Unreliable and churning out buggy, unusable code. This isn't a one-off horror story. - 23% of startups fail due to mismatched external teams (CB Insights) - The right partner speeds up launches by 50% (Forrester) - Aligned partners boost talent retention by 60% (Deloitte) Your dev partner isn't just another vendor. They're the backbone of your product, the engine of your vision. Choose wrong, and you're lost in space. Choose right, and you've got a rocket strapped to your back. Here are the 5 non-negotiables I used to turn that startup around with the ideal development group: 1. Startup Battle Scars They've been in the trenches. They know the drill. Key question: "What's the toughest startup challenge you've overcome?" 2. Adaptability in Action They pivot faster than a startup's business model. Key question: "How do you handle sudden scope changes?" 3. Tech Smarts with Business Sense They don't just code. They solve problems and create value. Key question: "How has your tech directly impacted a client's bottom line?" 4. Radical Transparency No sugar-coating. No surprises. Just honest, straight talk. Key question: "Show me how you communicate when a project goes sideways." 5. Resource Optimization Mastery They stretch dollars without snapping quality. Maximizing impact within constraints. Key question: "Describe a time you delivered big results on a tight budget." Selecting a dev partner is a defining moment for your startup. It's not just about code—it's about shared vision, cultural fit, and mutual growth. The right partner doesn't just build your product. They help build the future of your entire business. Tech leaders: What's your deal-breaker criterion for a dev partner? Share below.

Your implementation isn’t failing. Your partner selection is. Here’s the exact fix: (Save this. You’ll need it later.) Step 1: Choose a Partner Aligned with Your Goals The right partner knows your business, industry, and objectives. Look for: 1. Relevant project experience 2. Custom solutions for your needs 3. Commitment to ROI 4. Proven adaptability Alignment drives transformation, not just project completion. Step 2: Look for Direct Access to Expertise You need access to top consultants and certified experts. Look for: 1. Quick, actionable insights 2. Available, knowledgeable support 3. Strong relationships with your team 4. Real-time guidance Direct expertise speeds up problem-solving and builds value. Step 3: Prioritize Communication and Transparency The right partner keeps you informed at every stage. Look for: 1. Regular milestone updates 2. Proactive risk management 3. Clear communication channels 4. Collaborative feedback Transparency keeps everyone aligned. Step 4: Select a Partner Focused on Long-Term Success The best partners support you beyond go-live. Look for: 1. Team training and empowerment 2. Flexible future support 3. Industry knowledge 4. Alignment with growth goals Long-term partners are invested in your continued success. The formula is simple: Choose alignment with your goals. Expect direct access to expertise. Prioritize clear communication. Focus on long-term success. Choosing the right partner isn’t just a decision It’s the foundation of your implementation’s success. Tell me, what's the best way you've found to select an implementation partner? PS Follow Caf2Code LLC for more insights and tips from our team. #MicrosoftPartner #Dynamics365 #Caf2Code #PartnerSelection #ERP #CRM #Implementations 

Engagement with any custom software shop requires your dedication. It does not matter how big, experienced, and integrated the agency team is. As a customer(often a product team), you need to have capacity for magic to happen. Here is a baseline customer input required for any engagement success, so critical that agencies often put them on their SOWs: 1️⃣ Be available. It is essential to have at least two weekly workshop calls with the solution design team. These are often handled by the co-founders in the startup stage or product managers in more mature company/product stages. 2️⃣ Communicate effectively and deliver timely feedback. A 24-hour response time on emails and six hours on Slack are critical for success. 3️⃣ Make sure your problem/product vision is as stable as possible. It's our job to shape the technical solution for your needs, but it becomes tricky if product owners can't communicate the problem effectively, especially if we don't have any access to the product end-users 4️⃣ Establish a single source of truth. It's best to designate one person on your team as the sole decision-maker for the product roadmap, features, and requirements to avoid confusion. 5️⃣ TRUST the partner you decided to work with. Once you’ve selected a software development agency, it’s crucial to trust their expertise and process. Trust is the foundation of a successful partnership. Remember, it's not about how good your vendor is but how well you work together.

After helping hundreds of companies build software teams, here are the three non-negotiables I see make or break development partnerships: 1. Direct Access to Developers If you're talking to a "gatekeeper" instead of your actual development team, run. Product thinking dies in translation. I just watched a founder struggle with this. Her offshore team has "five developers," but she can only talk to one. Every product decision gets filtered and distorted. 2. Dedicated Resources Having "five part-time developers" isn't the same as having two full-time ones. At Full Scale, we learned this early. Developers who split time between projects never develop true product ownership. They don't learn your business. They don't understand your users. They don't think about long-term solutions. 3. Strong Communication Skills Technical excellence isn't enough. Your developers need to: Ask why, not just what Challenge assumptions Propose better solutions Own product outcomes Without these three elements, you're not building a product. You're buying code.