Choosing the right software development partner isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about finding a team that understands your business, works transparently, and can adapt as you grow.
Before you dive into a partnership, these 10 smart questions will help you evaluate if they’re truly the right fit.

This guide is especially useful if you’re planning a custom software development project, building an MVP, or simply want to avoid common missteps.

1. What’s your experience with projects like ours?

This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how often it’s overlooked. Ask about industries they’ve worked in, the types of solutions they’ve built, and how they’ve handled challenges.

A company may offer software development services across various sectors, but the real value lies in how well they can adapt their experience to your specific goals.

Tip: Look for examples that align with your business model, not just big-name clients.

2. Can you walk me through your development process?

This reveals a lot more than you think.

Do they follow agile? Waterfall? A hybrid? And more importantly, do they explain it in a way that actually makes sense to you?

If a company can’t clearly explain how your project will move from discovery to launch, that’s a red flag. A reliable custom software development partner will have a flexible process that still respects structure.

Tip: Ask how often you’ll get updates and demos. Transparency matters at the end of the day.

3. What’s included in the MVP?

If you’re starting with an MVP software development approach (which you should in most cases), be clear about what “minimum” means.

Some partners overpromise and underbuild. Others underpromise and deliver a glorified landing page.

Clarify:

➝ What features will be included?

➝ How will user feedback be captured?

➝ What happens after the MVP launch?

Tip: A good partner sees MVPs as launchpads, not endpoints.

4. How do you handle changes mid-project?

No matter how clear your scope is at the start, things evolve. And how your partner handles those changes tells you everything about their flexibility, mindset, and maturity.

Some will nickel-and-dime you for every tweak. Others will have a clear, structured change request process.

If they answer this question vaguely, you might sign up for stress later.

Tip: Ask for a real example of where the scope changed mid-project and how they handled it.

5. Who will actually work on our project?

You may be talking to a confident sales or strategy lead, but who’s doing the actual work?

Ask:

➝ Will the team be in-house or outsourced?

➝ Can you meet the project manager or lead developer?

➝ What’s their experience with similar builds?

The success of custom software development often hinges on communication between your team and theirs, not just the code.

Tip: Ask to meet your project lead early. A quick intro call shows how well they understand your business and how easy they’ll be to work with.

6. How do you ensure quality beyond testing?

Everyone says they “do QA.” But what does that mean?

You want a partner who:

➝ Tests early, not just at the end

➝ Automates where possible

➝ Writes clean, maintainable code

➝ Uses peer reviews and CI/CD practices

Also, ask how bugs are tracked, prioritized, and resolved. This tells you if their QA process is proactive or reactive.

Tip: Ask if they provide documentation; if not, it could be a stressful journey for you.

7. What happens after launch?

Here’s where many software development services fall short.

Do they provide post-launch support? Will they help with updates, monitoring, or scaling? Is there a warranty period?

If you’re investing in custom software, you don’t want a partner that disappears after go-live.

Tip: Ask how they handle support, SLA-based, ad hoc, or through retainers?

8. How do you approach security and compliance?

Security isn’t just an enterprise concern anymore. Even an MVP should follow basic security practices.

Ask:

➝ How is sensitive data handled?

➝ Are they familiar with regulations relevant to your industry (HIPAA, GDPR, etc.)?

➝ Do they do regular code audits or penetration testing?

If they don’t prior security for your project, walk away.

Tip: Security should be baked in, not forced on.

9. How transparent is your pricing model?

Here’s where many myths of custom software come to life. Some assume it’s too expensive. Others think it’s a one-time cost.

Ask:

➝ What’s the billing model (fixed, T&M, or hybrid)?

➝ What’s included, and what’s not?

➝ How do you handle delays, overages, or scope creep?

A good partner will explain this clearly and avoid vague estimates.

Tip: “It depends” is fine, as long as it’s followed by specifics.

10. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from a failed project?

This is the ultimate test of honesty.

Every agency has had a project that didn’t go as planned. What you’re looking for here is not perfection, but maturity and willingness to learn.

Their answer will show you:

➝ How they handle pressure

➝ How do they work with clients when things go wrong

➝ Whether they take accountability seriously

Tip: Reliable software partners will get better with every project, especially the tough ones.

Busting a Few Myths of Custom Software

Let’s pause for a second and address a few assumptions you may have heard:

👉 Custom software is only for big companies.
Not true. Small businesses benefit just as much, often more, from tools built specifically for them.

👉 It’s way more expensive than off-the-shelf.
Not always. Long-term, custom solutions save money by avoiding license fees, workarounds, and inefficiencies.

👉 It takes forever to build.
Only if the scope is unclear or the partner is disorganized. With clear planning and MVP-first thinking, custom builds can move quickly.

Final Thoughts

A lot of companies offer software development services, but not all of them will be a true partner.

These 10 questions help you cut through sales talk and get to the truth about how they work, how they think, and whether they’ll go the distance with you.

At Covrize, we believe software partnerships start with clarity. Whether you’re exploring MVP software development or a full-scale enterprise platform, we’re here to build with you, not just for you.