Bespoke Software Resources

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How to prepare a Brief for Bespoke Software Development

Below are some pointers towards preparing a brief for your bespoke software development project. The full document, which goes into more detail is available to download for free from the links at the bottom of the page.

Before approaching solution providers for a detailed response, it is important to have a good quality bespoke software brief regardless of whether it's for a web application, mobile application or desktop application.

A carefully thought out and internally agreed project brief ensures that all software suppliers are quoting against an identical document. Without this, some vendors may submit a cheap quote - once committed, costs can escalate exponentially when functionality not specified is added later. Make sure that your brief explains everything in a way that is easily understandable by someone that has no knowledge of your business.

Business Background

The solution provider needs to know something about your organisation in order to better understand your objectives.

Objectives

Once you’ve decided the nature of the problem that needs resolving you need to specify your objectives.

Solution Requirements

Be as specific as possible about what it is that you want.

Timescale

Be realistic about your timescale (a good explanation of timescales is contained in our document).

Budget

Ensure budget approval for the project is in place - at least in principle. Don’t be afraid to inform the solution provider about the budget you have calculated and can afford.

Specific Instructions

If you have any specific requirements, make sure they're included in your project brief e.g. References, cost breakdown etc

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

Whilst confidentiality is important for all our clients, and will always remain so, the nature of some client's business requires that we sign an NDA. It's also not unusual for prospective clients to want to protect their information, ideas and rights - particularly where innovative new ideas are being explored. In these cases we are more than happy to sign your own NDA - don't have one? We have our own mutual non-disclosure agreement which can be downloaded for free at the bottom of this page.

Resources

Click on the links below to download our free pdf documents to help you get the bespoke software solution you need.

Download our Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement

Download our How to prepare a Bespoke Software Brief