You have received three proposals for your software project. You are not a developer. How do you evaluate them? The answer is not to learn to read code — it is to know which questions the proposal should be answering and what it means when it does not.
Is the scope precise or vague?
A good proposal lists specific deliverables: screens, features, integrations, user flows. A vague proposal describes outcomes: "a platform that helps your team work better." Vague scope leads to disagreements about what was included. If a vendor will not commit to specific deliverables in writing before you sign, treat that as a red flag.
How is change handled?
Every project changes. The proposal should explain exactly what happens when it does. Is there a change order process? What triggers it? How is additional work priced? Proposals that do not address this leave you exposed to billing surprises when scope inevitably shifts.
What happens when something breaks?
The proposal should describe the warranty or support period after launch. What bugs are covered and for how long? What response time can you expect? Who do you contact? If the proposal assumes everything will work perfectly at launch and says nothing about what happens if it does not, that is a problem.
Who actually does the work?
Agencies frequently win projects with senior staff visible in the sales process, then deliver using junior staff or subcontractors. Ask directly: who will be working on your project? Will the person you are talking to be involved in delivery? Get the answer in writing if it matters to you.
What is the timeline based on?
Timelines that are not explained are guesses. A good proposal explains what assumptions the timeline rests on and what would cause it to slip. Client delays in providing feedback, access, or approvals are almost always a factor — a good proposal acknowledges this rather than presenting the timeline as the vendor's unconditional commitment.