You Don’t Have a Software Problem, You Have a Team Problem: 5 Red Flags to Look For

Over the years, we’ve had numerous clients come to us with an uneasy feeling about their current software “situation.” Unfortunately, we’ve identified this as a common occurrence. While the causes behind this feeling can vary, it often stems from missed deadlines, ballooning budgets, and poor communication. You might think you’re facing a software development problem, but in reality, you don’t have a software problem; you have a team problem.

Think of it this way… Your car breaks down, and you have to take it to a mechanic. You may not understand the intricacies of the engine repair, but, you still have clear expectations of what’s to come. You expect the mechanic to identify the cause of the problem,  stick to their initial quote, keep you informed, and finish the work on time, and return a working product (aka, your car running smoothly again.) Software development isn’t so different.

While software development is technical by nature, stakeholders don’t need to understand every line of code to recognize when something is wrong. Just as your mechanic should deliver reliable repairs on time and on budget, your software team should meet the same standards. The stakes are high in both cases. A car breaking down on the freeway can be disastrous, and after spending time and money on it in the shop, you’d blame the mechanic, not the car. Similarly, faulty, unreliable software can have severe consequences for your business. If you’ve invested time and money and your return is excuses rather than results, it’s time to get a second opinion.

From our conversations, here are five common red flags to look out for:

Red Flag #1: You’re Constantly Finding Bugs

One of the most frustrating experiences for any business is dealing with a buggy software product. If you find yourself:

• Repeatedly encountering the same bugs that were marked as “fixed”
• Being swamped with customer or user complaints after every release or update
• Spending more time reporting problems than using the software productively

These are clear indicators that your current development team struggles with quality control or lacks the expertise to deliver a stable product.

Red Flag #2: Deadlines Are Repeatedly Missed

Time is money, and missed deadlines can have serious consequences for your business. Be wary if:

• Release dates are constantly pushed back
• New features or bug fixes take weeks or months to implement
• Your team always seems to be “almost there” but never quite delivers on time

Consistently missed deadlines can indicate poor project management, unrealistic estimations, or an overcommitted or underqualified team.

Red Flag #3: Missed Opportunities Due to Software Limitations

Your software should be an asset, not a liability. If you’re losing business opportunities because your software isn’t ready or capable, it’s a major red flag. Watch out for situations where:

• You can’t onboard new clients because your system can’t handle their requirements
• Competitors are outpacing you with more advanced features
• You’re unable to adapt quickly to market changes due to inflexible software

These scenarios suggest that your development team is not aligned with your business goals or lacks the agility to meet your needs.

Red Flag #4: Communication Problems Persist

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful software project. If you’re experiencing:

• Frequent misunderstandings about requirements or features
• Difficulty getting updates or explanations about project status
• A sense that your team isn’t listening to or valuing your input

These are signs that there are clear communication problems in place, or your partner may struggle with transparency.

Red Flag #5: They Don’t Understand Your Business

A great development team should be more than just order takers – they should be partners who understand your business objectives. Be concerned if:

• The team consistently proposes solutions that don’t align with your business model
• There’s a lack of proactive suggestions for improvements or optimizations
• They only challenge simple technical matters rather than business decisions behind features they’re building

This disconnect can lead to wasted resources on features that don’t add value or missed opportunities for innovation.

Resources for Clients

Related Article How to Choose a Software Development Partner

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Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, the red flags outlined here are all too common in the software development industry. What’s really alarming is that these problems often persist for months, even years, causing ongoing frustration and lost opportunities.

Remember,  we’re not just talking about abstract code here. We’re dealing with systems and tools that employees and customers rely on daily—software critical to your business’s mission and employees’ productivity.

This isn’t just about having functional software; it’s about having software that works seamlessly, not only today but for years to come. Your employees, customers, and, ultimately, your bottom line depend on it.

At Frogslayer, we’ve seen it all. We’ve stepped in to steer countless projects that were on the brink of failure due to these very issues back on track. The good news? We haven’t yet encountered a project that couldn’t be salvaged. Often, all it takes is some code clean-up and stabilization work before we can get new development back on track. It’s a small price to pay for reliable, long-lasting software that drives your business forward.

Don’t confuse software issues for team issues. More importantly, don’t let team issues continue to hinder your business growth and innovation.

At Frogslayer, we have a No Excuses Guarantee:

If we ever fail to deliver or meet any agreed-upon expectations, then we commit our own resources to make it right. We stay engaged and committed to delivering the result you need regardless of what it takes.

Your business deserves software that just works—and a development team that can deliver it consistently.

• 
  Shaun Maier Head of Engineering

• Tagged In
• software team
• development team