When done correctly, software development outsourcing will surely be a success. Outsourcing could greatly benefit any company or business organization. In software outsourcing, the task of building software is delegated to a service provider, particularly a third-party specialist either in the same country or abroad.
The services of a software development outsourcing company have many benefits and have proven to be a highly effective solution for businesses to stay afloat in the saturated market. A typical software development outsourcing service provider has an expanded team of developers with more experience, expertise, and skill sets than in-house developers.
Determine the ways to succeed in outsourcing software development requirements.
The Road to a Successful Software Development Outsourcing
1. Define your objectives
There are many stakeholders in every project, and you can’t expect all of them to participate in each and every detail. The stakeholders could mean company leaders, customers, end-users, and others. It is of utmost importance to define your objectives and run your ideas past other members of the team.
When you have demarcated your objectives, you can easily search for and get an outsourcing partner. If you’re not certain about your objectives, this could result in choosing the wrong outsourcing service provider. It’s best to work with an outsourcing software development company like Saigon Technology with a work ethic and culture that align with your brand and the specific software you have in mind.
2. Decide on your budget
Deciding on your budget determines the model outsourcing to choose as well as the number of developers you could add to the team. Keep in mind that offshore software development firms vary. Some may offer packages while you may have to pay others on an hourly basis.
That’s why it’s important to define your budget at the beginning. Check out those service providers that can finish your project of software development within your suggested budget. A lot of organizations go for a low-priced solution, which could be disastrous in some instances.
In the software development scene, the price cannot be the only determining factor. Some services may seem expensive upfront, but they actually will serve you well in the long run. Remember, quality work is definitely more expensive, so make sure that you get quality services for your money.
3. Research your preferred service provider
Where to outsource software development is important because of the differences in time, language, rates, and more. Furthermore, even things like the workflow process of methodology vary from one country to another. Make sure to choose an outsourcing software development company that speaks your language and as much as possible has the same cultural beliefs and practices.
Try to choose a country with a similar workflow and work ethic so that integration with your company will be hassle-free and seamless. Make sure to check out other parameters, including testimonials, projects complete, team profiles, case studies, and so on. Do not ever hand over a development project to an offshore service provider if you are not certain that the company is capable and skilled enough to engage in your task.
4. Set realistic expectations
Many businesses often expect unrealistically from a software outsourcing service provider. Thus, it’s very important to have realistic and achievable expectations for your software development project so that your company can accomplish the milestones that you set for your project.
You should also never set unrealistic deadlines, otherwise, it will jeopardize the quality of your project. In the end, your project could miss the deadline or face an ambiguous future. Moreover, this could de-motivate your team, and could face low self-esteem later on. While it is your goal to succeed in the software development venture, being realistic about what you want to be done and achieved should be high on your list.
5. Constant communication
It is essential to understand that outsourcing your software development project to another company does not mean that you are free from all liability. That is why you should establish constant communication with your outsourcing partner to keep tabs on your development project. Check the progress continuously and make sure that code is well-written.
While you may be working across various time zones, make sure that you have clear communication as well as teamwork with the service provider. There are digital tools you can use, such as Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom to ensure communication and to keep tabs on your project. Establish the protocol for each kind of communication, such as project platforms, conference calls, and email lists.
6. Quality Assurance Testing is paramount
Most software development companies have robust testing and QA support and procedures. They invest heavily in QA testing. Make sure that the outsourcing service provider doesn’t skip this test. Failure to perform QA testing could mean that your software product could have a big integrity issue later on.
7. Set project timeframes
Determine when you need the software to be completed. Defining the timeframe could be challenging, but you should have some ideas as to what data should be completed. The software development outsourcing partner could help in mapping out project timeframes.
When you have determined the time frame, it would be easier to break down the development process into more minor accomplishments to the final goal. Furthermore, flexibility is sometimes necessary because the time could change as you collaborate with your outsourcing service provider.
8. NDA or Non-Disclosure Agreement
An NDA is an agreement between two parties, the outsourcing service provider and the client company. The agreement states that none of the parties should share critical and confidential data or information with a third party.
The primary elements of a Non-Disclosure Agreement identify:
- Non-confidential data that could be shared
- Confidential and critical data in the document
- The IP or Intellectual Property rights of the software project
- Duration of the validity of the NDA
- Consequences should the NDA be breached
9. Service Level Agreements
The SLA is between two parties on their expectations based on industry-specific performance metrics. The elements of the SLA determine:
- Communication, process monitoring, and reporting
- KPIs or Key Performance Indicators to measure performance and delivery
- Information regarding recovery and backup protocols
- Maintenance, hosting, support, infrastructure, and development terms
Conclusion
There are indeed so many benefits when you outsource your software development project to an outsourcing service provider. The key to the success of any software development project outsourcing is to determine which service provider could meet your exact requirements.
