Planning and buying
Plain-language articles on planning and buying from the TechnoCul team.
Is custom software worth it? A practical checklist
Off-the-shelf tools are usually the right answer. Here is how to tell when they are not.
17 October 2026 · 3 min readCustom software vs off-the-shelf: how to decide
A practical way to choose between buying software and building it, with the questions that matter, the hidden costs on both sides and a simple scorecard.
15 October 2026 · 3 min readHow to choose a software development company (and what to ask them)
The questions worth asking, the signs of a good partner, and the warning signs, so you can compare software developers fairly and avoid expensive surprises.
9 October 2026 · 3 min readWhat to prepare before you talk to a software developer
You do not need a specification. A few honest answers will make the first conversation far more useful.
5 October 2026 · 3 min readWhat affects the cost of custom software
Why quotes for the same project vary so much, the seven things that really drive cost, and how to get fair comparisons without cutting corners.
3 October 2026 · 3 min readWhat happens in a software discovery phase
A discovery phase is the cheapest way to avoid the most expensive mistakes. Here is what it involves, what you get, and how to prepare.
26 September 2026 · 3 min readFixed price or phased? Choosing how to run a software project
Fixed scope and phased delivery both work, in the right situation. Here is how to choose, and how to keep control either way.
19 September 2026 · 3 min readHow to write a software brief (with a simple template)
You do not need a technical specification. A one-page brief with the right headings gets better proposals and saves weeks. Here is a template you can copy.
12 September 2026 · 3 min readTen red flags in a software proposal
Ten warning signs to look for in a software proposal or pitch, and what to do about each, before you sign anything.
4 September 2026 · 3 min read