Asking the right questions
Sound like a pro without becoming one
The most important technique when building software offshore is the ability to ask the right questions. And to walk away if the answers are not credible. Some key questions are:
How much of my budget is going to get burned up before I have something to show for my work?
No more than 50% of your money should be gone before you have something to offer feedback on.
What does the overall process look like?
You may not understand all of the technical terms but pay attention to how confident someone sounds when talking about the project. Bonus points for their ability to explain complex topics in simple terms.
Can you supply a design before starting development?
This is key. If everyone is on the same page visually about what’s going to be built then it’s much easier to discuss and set milestones. Also, if you’re not getting a good sense from the Dev shop that they are going to deliver, then that design can be shopped around anywhere. I would actually recommend having a design in hand before approaching anyone. It’s a more concrete source of truth than a requirements document—which can be interpreted in a myriad of ways.