What to prepare before hiring a software development studio
A practical discovery checklist covering goals, workflows, scope, evidence, access and the commercial questions to clarify before a software build.
DelighTech ·Explain the problem and the people affected
Your first conversation does not need to start with a technology choice. Explain what your business does, who will use the product and what currently takes too much effort or causes confusion. A concrete example is more useful than a long list of fashionable features.
Bring a short description of the current process. Name the person starting it, the information they need and the point at which the task is complete. If different people have conflicting needs, describe that too. It is better to surface the conflict during discovery than to hide it behind an attractive interface.
Prepare examples without exposing private information
An existing website, an anonymised record, a diagram or a short recording can help a team understand the workflow. References are useful when you explain what you value about them: hierarchy, navigation, a specific interaction or the way they explain a service. A reference is a direction for discussion, not permission to copy another company’s work.
Remove customer identifiers, personal records and secrets before sharing examples. Arrange any required repository, hosting or provider access through an appropriate secure channel after responsibilities are agreed. Do not put credentials into an enquiry form or an initial email.
- Current product or website URL
- An anonymised example of the workflow
- Brand assets you own or can license
- Reference examples with an explanation of what works
- Known issues and any genuine user feedback
Share constraints before asking for an estimate
Explain any budget boundary, target launch date, required integration or platform. Identify whether content is ready and who can make decisions. These facts affect what a useful first release can include and which dependencies need investigation.
A responsible estimate should follow enough understanding of the scope. Ask what the estimate assumes, what is excluded and what could change the schedule. A fixed date without agreed deliverables, access and review responsibilities is not the same as a dependable delivery plan.
Clarify what the proposal must cover
A proposal should describe deliverables, milestones, review arrangements and acceptance criteria. It should also identify payment terms, third-party costs, ownership, account control and handover materials. Ask which licences or services have their own terms.
Discuss post-launch support separately. Maintenance, hosting management, new features and response arrangements should have a defined scope rather than an assumed unlimited commitment. Agree how requested changes will be assessed and how any effect on price or timing will be approved.
- What will be delivered, and what is excluded?
- Who reviews each milestone, and how is feedback handled?
- Who controls the code, assets and provider accounts?
- What checks are included before launch?
- What support is included after launch, and for how long?
Know who you are engaging
When you enquire through this website, you are engaging DelighTech as a studio, led by Olaoluwa Moshood, CEO. The relevant team and responsibilities should be clear in the project proposal. The portfolio distinguishes studio-owned products from collaborations so visitors can understand the context of the work.
For remote engagements, agree the communication channels, review cadence, meeting availability and handover responsibilities. Working internationally does not require pretending that the studio has an office in your country. It requires clear expectations and a practical way to make decisions together.