Outsourcing software development does not equate to sending a list of requirements and awaiting the final product. That approach almost always leads to misalignment, budget excesses, and a deliverable that does not meet expectations.
Development teams today follow Agile methodologies.
Agile methodologies are a flexible and collaborative approach to software development. Instead of trying to predict every detail upfront, Agile breaks work into short, manageable cycles called sprints. Each sprint delivers a small, working part of the product. This allows teams to adapt quickly to change, get fast feedback, and continuously improve. Agile focuses on regular communication, close collaboration with the client, and frequent releases—making it easier to build the right product step by step.
So, your involvement as a client is not just desirable but a necessity. You are a part of the team, and your feedback determines the final product at every stage.
In the course of this article, we’ll outline what is expected of you as a client to make the development process smooth, efficient, and successful.
1. Be Involved from the Beginning
Your active role begins the moment the project kicks off. The first step is defining the scope—what needs to be built and why. You’ll work closely with the team to clarify goals, set priorities, and align the scope with your business needs.
At this stage:
- Review and approve project documentation.
- Provide background, user insights, and clear expectations.
- Prioritize tasks based on business impact.
- We use tools like Jira to track everything, and you’ll have access to monitor progress and give feedback at any point.
2. Communicate Early and Often
Frequent, open communication is non-negotiable. You’ll need to be available for quick feedback, reviews, and clarifications.
Response delay—especially more than 24 hours—grinds the project to a halt. Our teams are in focused sprints, and waiting for feedback affects productivity and timelines. Absent timely feedback, we either stop work (at extra expense) or make assumptions (that may be incorrect).
To avoid this, assign a single point of contact that has decision-making powers and can respond quickly.
3. Take part in Sprint Planning and Prioritization
Each sprint is an opportunity to move the product forward. Your job is to:
- Attend planning meetings.
- Talk about priorities.
- Ensure the team is working on the most important thing.
You’re not setting technical deadlines, but you need to validate the business priorities. This enables us to build what delivers real value first.
4. Attend Demos and Give Feedback
At the end of each sprint, we present the work completed. Your chance in these demos is to:
- See what’s been built.
- Check if it’s according to your expectations.
- Give actionable feedback.
We need the final decision-maker present to avoid delays. After approval, you have five business days to do minor adjustments. If we don’t hear back within that period, the work is approved.
5. Test, Accept, and Move Forward
Once features are developed, your team is responsible for user acceptance testing (UAT). You must:
- Test the functionality that’s been implemented.
- Report bugs and request clarifications.
- Formally accept completed tasks in the tracking system.
Without your approval, we cannot close sprints or move forward. Frequent check-ins are essential to ensuring momentum.
6. Raise Issues Early and Constructively
No project is perfect. If something’s amiss—whether with team performance, communication, or deliverables—say so immediately. Most problems can be resolved with a conversation.
Don’t internalize. Silence in demos or reviews sends the wrong message. And if the issues don’t resolve, escalate them to the project manager or vendor leadership.
Constructive feedback enables us to course-correct early and stay on track with your expectations.
7. Provide Us with the Resources We Need
We can’t work in a vacuum. You are responsible for:
- Providing access to environments, tools, and systems.
- Supplying documentation and user flows.
- Being available for urgent questions.
- Lack of access or missing information slows down development and risks timelines.
In Summary
You’re not just a customer—you’re a key participant in the development process. Your input, decisions, and availability dictate how the product is built and whether it’s a success.
Proactive, consistent involvement leads to a superior outcome, faster delivery, and a product that’s built right. The more we communicate, the more successful the result.
Let’s build something that works—together.
