ABSTRACT
This chapter shows basic ground rules for working with a software agency, so that the purchaser will know what to expect from the agency and know also what his own commitment should be to ensure success. It is clearly advisable to generate detailed terms of reference for all agency staff so that the work to be performed can be evaluated and measured and a suitable commercial basis be established between the buyer and the software house. First of all, the purchaser should allow the software supplier sufficient time to study his problem so that a budgetary estimate and an outline design can be produced. A most vital part of any software system is the documentation that describes it. The vendor should be asked to provide copies of his documentation standards for systems investigation and design, program specification and completed program documentation. Machine time for development work can be a large part of the costs of the project.
