Cooperation with the right technology partner is a key success factor for an IT project. However, even the best competencies and tools will not guarantee success if so-called red flags appear in the relationship – warning signs that can lead to delays, conflicts, and even project failure. Below you will find a practical guide to the most important red flags, based on experiences from Endora projects and analysis of real situations.
1. Lack of transparency and formalization of arrangements
Red flag: Arrangements are communicated verbally, there are no clear summaries, and changes in scope or pricing are not formalized (e.g., lack of annexes, emails, documentation).
Consequences: Risk of misunderstandings, difficulties in settlements, lack of basis for enforcing arrangements. Example: the need to prepare documentation formalizing the terms of cooperation to avoid legal and tax problems.
2. Lack of transparency in settlements and schedules
Red flag: Unclear settlement rules, changing schedules without justification, lack of transparent progress reports.
Consequences: Difficulties in planning, frustration on the client’s side, risk of exceeding the budget. Example: problems with billing hours and changing schedules, leading to uncertainty and tension.
3. Delays and failure to meet deadlines
Red flag: Regularly postponing deadlines, lack of clear completion dates, failure to deliver promised functionalities.
Consequences: Loss of trust, blocking subsequent project stages, risk of losing the client. Example: frustration due to delays in delivering subsequent modules.
4. Lack of response to reports and feedback
Red flag: The partner ignores bug reports, does not answer questions, does not implement reported corrections.
Consequences: Accumulation of technical problems, team and client frustration, decline in product quality, and the need for quick response to reports and ongoing communication.
5. Mismatch of tools to project needs
Red flag: Choosing tools or plugins that do not meet key requirements (e.g., inability to enter specific prices or discounts).
Consequences: Necessity of costly workarounds, delays, limited functionality of the final solution.
6. Lack of updates and attention to security
Red flag: Systems are not updated, the partner downplays security issues, does not conduct audits.
Consequences: Increased risk of cyberattacks, data loss, decline in performance and SEO position. This is described in detail in the article: Endora Lack of CMS updates – a risk that can destroy your sales platform – Endora | B2B e-commerce experts
7. Lack of partnership approach and blackmailing with cooperation
Red flag: The partner conditions further cooperation on meeting their own terms, threatens to leave or withdraw from the project, uses ultimatums.
Consequences: Loss of trust, toxic atmosphere, risk of sudden termination of cooperation.
8. Lack of attention to UX and final product quality
Red flag: Ignoring usability comments, lack of tests, unpolished graphic and functional elements.
Consequences: Low user satisfaction, higher number of complaints, drop in conversion. Example: reported design problems and elements falling apart on the page to which the subcontractor does not react.
9. Lack of prioritization and backlog management
Red flag: All tasks are treated as equally important, the backlog swells, and the team doesn’t know what to focus on.
Consequences: Resource dispersion, decrease in efficiency, delays in achieving key goals.
10. Lack of openness to feedback and development
Red flag: The PM or partner does not accept constructive criticism, does not draw conclusions from mistakes, does not invest in team development.
Consequences: Stagnation, repetition of the same mistakes, decrease in team motivation.
Red flags are not just theoretical threats – they are real signals that appear in everyday cooperation. It is worth identifying them as early as possible and reacting before they turn into serious problems. Cooperation with a Partner and Project Manager should be based on transparency, openness, formalization of arrangements, and a partnership approach. If you notice any of the above warning signs – do not ignore them. This is the first step to protecting your project and your own business.