When you need to launch a new software development effort, time is of the essence. You need skilled software engineers to hit the ground running and deliver immediate value. You don't have the luxury of unlimited time and budget to recruit and hire the best IT talent in the business, so you turn to an outsourcing partner. But how do you choose the right IT partner? Here are some guidelines for choosing a software development partner, and smart questions to ask to ensure you'll "get it right" the first time -- and avoid costly mistakes.