3. Is the right person driving the search?

We realize this may be a sensitive topic because — if you’re reading this — this section applies to you.

We’ve found that when an organization wants to differentiate itself through software or digital products, they need someone with experience in software or digital products to drive the search for a partner.

IT, procurement, legal, and other support functions should also be involved in selecting a partner.

However, they should not lead the charter because they will not be the ones to ultimately consume that partner’s services.

In our experience, the most successful partnerships are driven by the:

Chief Operating Officer
Chief Product Officer
Chief Digital Officer
Chief R&D Officer
VP/AVP/Director of Software Product Development and Engineering

These individuals are the most informed about the business context and technical roadmap and can identify whether or not potential partners can meet their requirements from a skill and process perspective.

For example, we partnered with a sports analytics company looking for an outside team to help them enhance one of their critical high-visibility products. The COO led the search to find the right partner to help them with sports analysis — and chose GlobalLogic.

Three years into the process, the two teams work cohesively and help the client partner with new colleges/clubs, coaches, players & leagues.