What to Keep in Mind When Outsourcing Software Projects
How Does Outsourcing Work?
Outsourcing is the process of hiring out business-critical services, such as customer service, human resources, or administrative support, to another individual or company. Since software development is highly specialized, more enterprises have reasons for outsourcing this skill set than ever. With the help of digital communication tools, the experts you choose can be local, regional, or international.
There are many advantages of outsourcing work to a qualified professional. These benefits include lower costs, access to skills not currently available within your in-house team, and a newfound ability to quickly grow and scale your products and services. Since your specialist (or group of specialists) are not with you on a daily basis, it’s important to choose the talent that will make your life easier and help you achieve your business goals, all with minimal risk.
Finding the right outsourcing expert means they have the industry knowledge, technical expertise, project experience, and business personality to provide you with high quality, convenient, and cost-effective results. This process involves a combination of interviews, referencing, and in many cases, site visits, to establish confidence and trust and start your project off on the right footing.
Things to Consider Before Outsourcing Projects
If you’re thinking about outsourcing a product or aspect of your business to a particular team, begin by considering the following:
- Geography: Convenience and accessibility come first. Consider your location and time zone, then compare it to where your qualified expert does business. Whether the team is regional or international, do they work in the same time zone or one directly near it? A similar workday allows for seamless collaboration between you outsource partner and in-house staff.
- Team Location: Since you will be traveling to the service provider’s site for interviews, meetings, and team building, is the location of their business easy to get to? If you are partnering internationally, does the country have current travel limits or bans? Research the typical cost of traveling to the destination on short and long-term notice to determine if the state or nation is genuinely accessible to you and your executives.
- Price vs. Quality: Most businesses look at price or quality first when selecting a vendor. If you’re working on a project-to-project basis, it’s wise to prioritize the comparison of fixed quotes. If you anticipate a series of development projects, building a long-term relationship makes the most sense. In this case, consider the quality of a team, its expertise, and its past projects before comparing the exact quotations.
- Maximum Risk: Examine each provider’s potential to fail, both directly and indirectly. How probable is it that the developers will quickly lose staff or suffer a breakdown in communication? How long have they been in business – and are they financially stable? Are they novices or experts in the hardware, software, and user experience requirements necessary to deliver your project successfully? How much will your company be impacted as a result of a failed product or timely launch?
Asking the Right Questions About Software Development Outsourcing
Once you’ve reviewed these primary considerations, take the next step with your qualified candidates. Vet each team thoroughly, using these questions to be sure you’ve found the right fit:
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How do you manage outsourcing projects?
The right software development providers should be well-versed in lean and agile project management processes. They should also commit to pushing your project forward on a day-to-day basis. Determine whether you’ll be able to establish a trustworthy partnership between your team and theirs, designating at least one communicative professional on each side to make sure the project stays on track.
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Do you understand my business and project needs?
The company of your choosing must understand your business personality and project requirements as quickly as possible. They should also take responsibility for achieving your project vision and supporting your enterprise through their software development skills and commitment to quality assurance. Without having command of your mission and the desires of the intended user, they won’t deliver the right solution.
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Are you up to date on the latest software development trends?
Digital technology is growing and changing on a daily basis. You need evidence that the development team understands the latest software trends and has a working knowledge of them to deliver a product that meets your business and client expectations. If you aren’t aware of the skills that are necessary to complete your project, do research about the type of highly-rated apps and popular vendors that are having success with their customers. Ask as many questions as necessary to feel confident about the outsourcing provider’s expertise.
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Does your team value integrity and communication?
When you conduct interviews and site visits, evaluate whether the developers communicate well with you and appear honest about the level of resources necessary for the project. It’s essential to feel confident up front that they can deliver what is expected. The right provider will not be afraid to ask questions or seek clarification when needed.
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Have you worked on similar projects? What were the results?
Obtain visual evidence of the team’s previous industry and project experience. Ask for a portfolio of similar apps or websites to determine if they have the skills to deliver your product. Case studies are also helpful for understanding how the developers helped other businesses achieve their goals and grow their business.
If you require sophisticated technical skills such as software development on a short-term or long-term basis, outsourcing software projects will help you manage costs and achieve your project goals without spending time recruiting or managing an in-house professional. Minimize your risk and maximize your project potential by carefully evaluating your pool of local or international outsourcing companies.
Choosing the right nearshoring partner, like our team at iTexico, allows you to benefit from a group of communicative and highly experienced digital innovation experts. Since we share the same border and the Central Time Zone and have a U.S.-based management team, we have the resources to communicate and collaborate with you to deliver your project successfully. To learn about the benefits of Nearshore +, our staff, and competency centers, visit our website.
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