Software Engineers Client Onboarding Checklist & Best Practices

As a software development company, we know that your first month with Global BrainForce should be as productive as possible. That’s why making the right preparations and following a proven onboarding process is essential for success.

Hiring a remote developer is often the best value for businesses, but many clients are understandably cautious—often due to disappointing past experiences. Before dismissing remote hiring, it’s important to recognize that most onboarding failures are caused by a lack of proper process, not by remote work itself.

Why Onboarding Matters

After investing time and resources into recruiting top software talent, it’s surprising how often companies overlook onboarding. A poor onboarding experience can undermine even the best hiring decisions.

Common Onboarding Mistakes

Here are the most frequent mistakes software development companies make during onboarding:

Lack of clearly documented company information
Excessive informational overload
Not communicating clearly (and often) enough
Not establishing boundaries
Not setting clear goals
Not developing a structured onboarding process
Making assumptions about prior knowledge

The Ultimate Onboarding Checklist

This checklist is designed to educate you as our partner about our process, answer your questions, and provide everything you need for a successful partnership.

Pre-Arrival

✅ Developer has passed all screening processes and is officially hired as a Global BrainForce employee.
✅ Set up the developer’s digital workplace: laptop, second monitor, headphones, email, timesheets, biometrics, HR system, etc.
✅ Ensure the working environment is comfortable and productive.
✅ Complete the onboarding checklist with the client to define organization and communication protocols.

First Day

✅ Orientation with colleagues and HR.
✅ Finalize workstation setup and access to all necessary systems.

First Week

✅ Kick-off call with the client and the developer.
✅ Client explains all project-related items: deliverables, timeline, methodology, etc.
✅ Client provides access to tools: source code, source control, repositories, development and test environments, etc.

First Month

✅ Arrange regular meetings between client and developer for feedback, support, and discussion of any challenges.
✅ Daily check-ins with the dedicated developer to help them acclimate and avoid critical mistakes (like accidental changes to production).
✅ Frequent communication and partnership summaries.
✅ Ongoing performance evaluation and feedback.
✅ Attendance and engagement monitoring.

Best Practices for a Productive First Month

Communicate Early and Often: Set expectations, provide feedback, and encourage questions.
Document Everything: Ensure all company and project information is accessible and up to date.
Set Clear Goals: Define deliverables and milestones from the start.
Support Integration: Foster connections with the team and provide mentorship.
Monitor Progress: Regularly review performance and address any issues promptly.

A well-structured onboarding process is the foundation for a successful remote development partnership. At Global BrainForce, we’re committed to making your onboarding experience seamless and productive—so you can focus on building great software.

Ready to build your remote team with confidence?
Contact us to get started!