Top Software Development Outsourcing Tips
Any firm must prioritize the quality of its development. Therefore, when we consider software development, the question of whether to outsource or in-house software development is a conundrum! To help you choose what is best for your company, here is a thorough comparison of in-house and software development outsourcing.
Accordingly, if you want to go with software development outsourcing, it is crucial to consider all the factors in order to make the best selection, as demonstrated by my earlier comparative post. Because they may significantly affect the project’s result, IT outsourcing problems are among the most important factors to take into account. Making the correct decision alone does not ensure the ideal outsourcing experience; instead, it requires making the right decisions and acting appropriately. So allow us to assist you in ensuring that your outsourcing endeavors are effective. Here is a checklist that I have created based on my years of expertise that you need to follow before hiring an offshore development company to handle your software development.
Things to take care when you consider Software Development Outsourcing Tips
- Define Goals & Objectives
- Decide your Budget
- Insist on Project Management Tool
- Research about the Offshore Software Development Company
- Set Realistic Milestones
- Communication
- Documentation is the Key in Software Development Outsourcing
- Ensure Quality Assurance Availability
- Dedicated Project Manager
- Trust Issues? Start out with a Small Project
- Take a Second Opinion
- Overcome Language and Cultural Barriers
- Cheapest Agency is not always the Best
- Ensure Agency works with Latest Tools
Let’s take a closer look at each of them and see how it influences your choice to outsource.
1) DEFINE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Not all offshore software development firms are capable of working on your project. For this reason, it’s critical to know what you desire. Your search becomes simpler if your objectives are clear. You will swiftly get at the correct business in this manner. Additionally, it will improve your ability to express your expectations.
Selecting the incorrect offshore business for the task might result from unclear goals. They might not be sufficiently skilled. Or perhaps they simply aren’t a good fit.
2) DECIDE YOUR BUDGET
Each development agency is unique. Some charge by the hour, while others provide packages. You should define your budget in the same way that you do your goals. Next, look at the leading software development firms to see what they can offer. For budgetary considerations, many organizations make the grave error of selecting the least expensive option. The cheapest option isn’t always of poor quality, but in the case of software development outsourcing, you usually get what you pay for. Price should play a role in your decision-making process, but it shouldn’t be the only one. If you are on a tight budget and cannot afford to hire the best, instead, look for a solution that offers you the greatest possible balance between price and quality.
3) INSIST ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOL
Effective communication is a key component of software development outsourcing. You don’t get anything without it. Using a project management tool allows you to monitor the progress. You may also use it to identify errors and revise your goals. Above all, it facilitates time management. Due to a lack of management tools, many outsourced projects experience delays.
Putting your complete faith in the developer is never a good idea. Thus, strive for sprint-based development reviews and the Project Management Tool at all times.
4) RESEARCH ABOUT THE OFFSHORE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
Different types of web development exist. UI/UX coding is entirely distinct from app development, which is entirely at odds with database administration. It’s possible that distinct software development firms specialize in certain areas and struggle in others. For this reason, it is wise to look into the offshore software development company’s areas of competence. Determine whether the organization has sufficient experience for the work at hand by looking at a variety of factors, such as the team profile, case studies, client mix and testimonials, track record, and portfolio of completed projects.
Do not turn over your development project until you have confirmed that the business is capable. Inquire about reputation in your field. Or request references from the business. Additionally, you may look up their reputation online. It will inevitably be evident if folks have had negative encounters. Pick a business with a good reliability rating. In addition to technical skills, reliability will entail accurate estimations, precise deadlines, realistic commitments, transparency, live communication, and proactive reaction. Our RelyShoreTM (reliable offshore) development approach is used to every project we undertake. Experience over a lengthy period of time is another reliability indication. Unless they had been offering quality services, a firm that has endured for many years would not have remained in business.
5) SET REALISTIC MILESTONES
Companies frequently miss the mark on this one. They either have unreasonable expectations or don’t establish any goals. With the use of milestones, you may track your personal development and achievement using measurable data. When it’s absent, it becomes difficult to keep track of your accomplishments and upcoming tasks. The software development team and you may both experience stress and demotivation if you have unrealistically high expectations since you are likely to fall short of them.
Setting milestones is so crucial, but it’s important to consider all the difficulties and constraints. They should be something that your team is confident they can accomplish.
Additionally, if a software development company accepts unrealistic timelines, it could do more harm than good. Even if it means losing business, it is preferable to work with a company that gives you a realistic sense of progress milestones.
6) COMMUNICATION
Keep in mind that it is your project. Outsourcing does not release you from responsibility. Continue to be involved with the project at all times. Maintain order and make sure all needs are fulfilled. Nothing is more crucial to software development than quality assurance. Verify that the code being developed functions properly.
Different time zones, work ethics, schedules, and the availability of the appropriate individuals at the right moment may all make communication extremely difficult at times. Together with the development agency, your company should devise a strategy for consistent communication.
Schaedler Insurance Agency, located in California, outsourced its IT services, and during one of the projects, they encountered several maintenance problems brought on by communication difficulties rather than a lack of technical expertise. According to Jeremy Schaedler, the company’s president:
Verbal communication loses a lot of meaning. Outsourcing IT abroad is a terrific way to obtain talented programmers at a fraction of the cost of doing it in the country, but creating a clear communication channel is essential to producing high-quality work.
GitHub, Slack, InVision, and Teamweek are examples of digital applications that help enhance cooperation in general. Additionally, you may monitor the caliber and advancement of the job being done. Additionally, any complaints or feedback may be promptly reported.
7) DOCUMENTATION IS THE KEY IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT OUTSOURCING
Always have sufficient documents before entering into a development agreement with an agency. When software projects are not well documented from the start, they inevitably get lost in the middle of development. As things begin to spiral out of control, the enterprise loses all of its drive and ambition.
Technical in nature, development need precise and unambiguous instructions on your goals and desired outcomes. Having everything recorded not only reduces the likelihood that a project may go awry midway through, but it also makes department management easier.
Completing paperwork correctly is always crucial. Verbal communication frequently gets lost and is more easily forgotten. Keep a record of everything. You will be able to streamline all of the work as a result.
8) ENSURE QUALITY ASSURANCE AVAILABILITY
Choose software development firms with well-defined QA KPIs and processes, as well as excellent QA skills and testing assistance. Without going over your development budget, make sure they incorporate these QA skills and KPIs into the development process.
Make certain that the offshore software development business you choose provides testing. They ought to incorporate quality control into the process of producing code. Code is not good if it is released without quality assurance.
A lot of companies outsource their software development needs to save time and money, but quality assurance suffers as a result. In technological labor of any kind, this is a major transgression based only on development. A top-notch quality testing platform that continuously scans for errors and performance problems is therefore required.
9) DEDICATED PROJECT MANAGER
Software development might benefit greatly from someone who is committed to the task of managing a project. It is advantageous for an outsourced development project to have a committed project manager who is constantly monitoring everything. Everyone involved will be aware that someone is in charge of the entire project and that all updates are sent on schedule as a result.
Additionally, a project manager is essential for reducing obstacles and problems. There are usually a few bumps on the road when working on a software project. Since a manager has a thorough understanding of the situation and the project’s goals, they are more equipped to address problems.
10) TRUST ISSUES? START OUT WITH A SMALL PROJECT
Give them a tiny project if you are unsure about a development organization. Keep a careful eye on their approach to the project. Be sure the firm won’t cause you any difficulties before you sign a big deal.
There are instances when you can tell early on if a firm is trustworthy or not. A proactive strategy should be taken and the development agency tested before a major or important project is entrusted to them. Actually, we offer some free sample work so you can see how good we are. To try our offshore software development services and be sure your project is in capable hands, get in touch with us right now.
11) TAKE A SECOND OPINION
Give the work to your in-house developer so they may comment. Frequently, a software engineer with a distinct viewpoint might recommend enhancements. There is an element of creativity in development. There are several approaches to accomplish the same goal, and some are more successful and efficient than others. The project’s software programmers may have overlooked the new viewpoint that an experienced software developer may provide.
12) OVERCOME LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL BARRIERS
It might be difficult to collaborate with an offshore IT business. particularly with regard to linguistic and cultural barriers. In order to prevent meaning from being lost in translation, try to simplify communication between both parties.
Choose a development business from a nation where people speak the international language you do. For instance, India is a popular place to outsource since English is widely spoken and understood there, facilitating easy communication between workers from over the globe.
If necessary, speak with the project manager and software development team of the selected software development business from the beginning to gauge how simple or complex it will be to communicate your needs to them.
13) CHEAPEST AGENCY IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST
While cost-cutting is acceptable, don’t skimp on development. There are a lot of businesses and people who have sprung up with one or two projects and will provide extremely affordable services. The majority of the time, the least expensive solutions lack sufficient expertise. You will receive work from them that will require extra money to repair. Despite the fact that this isn’t a formula, you could lose most of the time. Our world is one in which we receive what we pay for. You cannot expect the highest level of advancement and quality while you are paying the lowest possible price.
The most cost-effective solutions frequently turn out to be a huge waste of time, money, and frustration. Ultimately, you wind up paying more money to accomplish tasks. According to Rebekah Campbell’s story, who established a team in Manila to outsource IT services, you should really spend more than you need to. In this manner, you not only get the finest, but you also obtain dedication and commitment from the people you recruit.
Additionally, it is best to choose reasonable mid-level software development firms (with a staff of over 100 professionals) rather from freelancers or smaller businesses that could provide better deals or a less expensive approach. Midsized software development firms frequently offer the ideal ratio of technical know-how to cost-effectiveness. It is crucial that the development firm of choice is big enough to have teams with a wide range of resources, knowledge, and experience.
14) ENSURE AGENCY THAT WORKS WITH LATEST TOOLS
This is something you need to discuss in your research process. Every contemporary development tool and resource must be available to a business. Outdated and outmoded tools can lead to several problems, including shame.
CONCLUSION
As international borders have shrunk, software development outsourcing has emerged as a very profitable and widespread technique in the majority of nations, and small and mid-sized businesses typically choose it first. It is still the most practical and economical solution to your growth problems. To guarantee that your outsourcing experience is enjoyable, you must be proactive, technically knowledgeable, and astute about who you will employ as well as what and how you will complete the task.