How to Really Vet a Software Development Company

This 2 The Point episode by iS2 Digital dives into how to vet a custom software development company beyond the usual checklists. Kevin Goldberg, CEO of iS2 Digital, reveals five overlooked yet critical areas that can make or break your software project—from initial engagement through to quality assurance.

Rather than focusing only on technical skills and past work, Kevin urges business leaders to assess the systems, structure, and communication processes behind the scenes. He explains why a solid discovery process, defined workflows, clean documentation, and rigorous QA practices are the true markers of an exceptional development partner.

Goldberg points out, “If you want average results, follow the average checklists. But if you want excellence, you need to go deeper.”

Here are five key areas to assess when choosing a software development partner:

• Engagement Process: Look for a company with a clear discovery phase, scope documentation, structured onboarding, and support planning. Avoid those who jump straight to quoting.
• Internal Workflow: Ask about their project methodologies, meeting cadence, and how tasks move from creation to completion. Good teams use project management tools and have structured systems in place.
• Coding and Development: Ensure they use version control, conduct code reviews, and follow continuous integration/deployment. Even non-developers can assess commit histories for clarity and consistency.
• Documentation: Great documentation—including architecture diagrams, deployment steps, and API references—is essential for scalability and long-term maintenance.
• Quality Assurance and Testing: Strong QA processes, including bug tracking, testing types, and client involvement, help reduce critical issues and ensure the final product delivers real business value.