When you have finally found your astonishing idea for a mobile app, the next step will be finding the right mobile app tech team to make the best out of it, but it’s not as easy as finding the right LEGO piece!
You have to communicate your idea in a standard way by documenting your requirements, called Request For Proposal (RFP); then, you can search for firms to bid on your concept.
Before we dive further, let’s understand and start from the basics.
What is a mobile app RFP?
In a nutshell, a mobile app development RFP is a document compiled by a company (client) that wants to purchase app development services from an outside contractor. An app proposal document enables clients to gather offers from vendors to choose a development partner that meets the project’s requirements. In short, an RFP provides an overview of a business challenge, existing project constraints, and goals.
RFP is a point of reference for clients and vendors throughout the entire period of cooperation. Typically, the RFP brief contains two parts: the first is filled out by a client and includes a detailed overview of a project, its goals, and specific criteria for evaluation, while the second one represents the vendor’s proposal for a particular project. This structure serves to establish a better understanding of the project’s requirements by potential contractors and simplify further communication.
Proceeding from the outlined context, potential contractors could offer some solutions to meet the requirements and client’s aspirations.
Why is an RFP crucial?
The Request for proposal (RFP) document makes communication with vendors or technical teams easier when you require technical expertise.
Let us see the important things to be included in an RFP document.
About the Company
Describe your company background, vision, and projects, giving the development firm an idea of the project goals you are focusing on.
Requirements
Document the requirements you expect in the project and the guidelines to follow if you have any.
Deliverables
Make an idea about your product’s major components and what you expect from the firm; this can include support services, suggestions, etc. The accuracy of this section will give you accurate time and approx cost.
In every stage of development, you and the development company must agree on every change; even if it is minimal, an RFP document plays a significant role in making audit trails.
Things You Need to Write an RFP for Mobile Apps
Let us discuss app-specific details to be included when writing an RFP for a mobile app:
- App Features App features mean functions you are expecting in the final mobile app. When describing features, try to include core features and then make a list of features by prioritizing from must have to good to have.
- User Scenarios: Describing different user scenarios will help the developer to understand the concept.
- UI Sketches or Mockups: If you already have some UI concepts in mind that will be useful when communicating with the developer, this doesn’t need to be a professional one; hand-drawn sketches also work!
- Platform Information: For any mobile app development projects, we should give details on what platforms we are targeting or what devices we are targeting; this will clarify the cost and time estimation.
How to Find the Best Mobile Development Company?
After you have created an RFP document for your mobile app, the next step will be finding the best partner for developing it.
You can use providers like UpCity or Clutch to search for different categories of vendors, but for that, you have to choose which category is right for you!
- Development Focused: If you already have design materials for the app, these development companies will help you make it on different platforms. In addition, they will have a project manager and a group of developers so that you can focus on other areas like marketing, branding, etc.
- Design Focused: In mobile app development, having a good UI/UX can help you onboard your targeted users quickly. Suppose you can handle the development team independently or already have a development partner. In that case, you can approach different design studios focusing on creating UI/UX for mobile apps.
- Design & Development: When you have finalized your mobile app requirements and have proper marketing plans and channels, these firms can help you create UI/UX and develop your app idea.
- Full-Service Agencies: Sometimes you will need help with every stage of the app development life cycle like creativity, design, development, marketing, maintenance, etc. These agencies will help you connect with the best partners for you.
You should be very selective when choosing offshore companies. Things to keep in mind are:
- Connect more than one company with your requirements
- The more discussion you have with companies, you will get more clarity on your app idea, market rates, etc. So always connect with more companies.
- Be sure to have clarity on your budget.
- Research online for company reviews
- Although sites like Clutch can help you find companies in one place, you should check reviews from past clients to avoid the wrong companies.
There are many mobile app development companies but Cmile could be one of the best option for you because we are Clutch and ISO 9001:2015 certified. Not only this, we have one of the highest client satisfaction percentages because we have a world-class team working with us.
Typical mistakes you should avoid while making a mobile app RFP
While drafting a bid proposal app, don’t forget to check it for standard errors that could negatively affect the whole contractor selection process.
Some are:
Starting RFP drafting without prior consultations with the team
Hold a series of meetings with the team involved in developing a project. Ensure all essential points are agreed upon, and every team member has a whole picture of all the process stages. It’s also logical to hold progress evaluation meetings during the project implementation.
Failing to provide enough details about your company
Follow the principle “the more, the better” when writing a mobile app RFP. The more information you provide about the context — the more accurate responses you will get.
Failing to ask vendors the right questions
Don’t limit the vendor’s part of an RFP to points from templates. Add as many questions you’d like to get answers to as you need, extend the list depending on your project requirements, and add annexes if there is such a need.
Focusing solely on the project’s technical requirements
Of course, a mobile app development RFP can’t go without a solid description of the tech basics. However, outlining the fundamentals of your business strategy, the framework of client-vendor communication, evaluation criteria, and possible risks will make the case much clearer for vendors.
Wrap-Up
You clearly understand the steps you must follow to find the best mobile development firm to bid your RFP. If you have plans to build a mobile app, contact us. We have a result-oriented development team to help you.
Founder of Cmile. Expert in mobile app📱 & web🌍 development. Passionate about technologies💻. On mission🚀 to digitally solve people’s problems. Love to use emojis✌🏼
Related Posts
Recognitions
