Software Development Contract: Points to Remind

 “Software Development is a technical activity conducted by human beings.”- Niklaus Wirth

The software development is proximately associated with this digitized ambiance. Directly or indirectly, every single aspect is software. The software is the web application which is live or a dynamic web application. Today, if you have the business, then having the website has become the mandatory element. If you have the business, then to make it extended, a website is necessary.

With the profuse development application, a myriad of companies is delivering the software development services. Where there is good, there is evil also. Thereby, some imperative points are to be noted while making the software development contract.

As a technology victim, we have our business of books, like Novels, Dialogue Series, Auto-biographies, Biographies, Literatures, etc. of prominent authors. Sounds scholarly! These are the most ravishing components worth to experience. So, we have contacted to the software developer company to make our website. Before making the deal with him, I have browsed through the internet and discovered some important and relevant points which are to be considered while discussing and signing the deal.

Important Points

·         Specification:

This is the very first step, I have discovered. It embraces the discussion regarding the business requirements that you want the software to meet. The best and the relevant part is that the software development agreement should distinctly identify the technical specification that the software development is to achieve. As a client, I must say that this will assist you later on in understanding the objective and reducing the potential areas for dispute. It helped me a lot.

·         Project Plan:

This project schema includes the realistic timescales and deadlines for the software development project. I have asked the software developer about the entire plan regarding my project. What will be the layout? What about the project model and the course of action? It’s our project and we have the full right to ask about the process before signing the legal software development contract.

·         Pricing and Payment:

It should be previously set up. This step includes the time, the price, the resources or the mélange of all these. It varies from project to project. As my project is associated with the books, therefore, the materials and the sources differ from the common project. But, I considered this point importantly.

·         Transfer of Copyright Ownership:

This is often one of the sharpest issues between the developer and the client and can easily lead to becoming the deal-breaker. In my case, it would become the biggest issue but, I have already discussed this with the developer at the time of the agreement. It is to be advised to you also that in order to own a copyright, you must have an agreement transferring ownership from the developer to you.

·         Software Installation and Integration and Support Services:

At my time, my developer has installed, configured and integrated my software with other software systems. Yeah, dilemma happens here. Either the client will take the initiation or the developer. Just make it clear and agreed at the time of contract.

The software development agreement also includes the support provisions. It ranges from the very simple to the very detailed. I have asked some of the queries to my developer. Let me tell you.

1.      The medium of support assistance- via email or telephone or an individual?

2.      What type of problems will be covered under the support services?

3.      What if any limits will be placed upon the provision of support services?

4.      In what circumstances will support services be chargeable?

These points helped me a lot during the discussion with the software developer. Share your own views and queries so that more people will get assistance from this writing. Thanks!