As you can see, clearly, there are undeniable perks to having software outsourcing available to you. However, as with any other practice outsourcing comes with a couple of risks that you need to be aware of and be ready to target species as they come.
1) The Risk for Miscommunication
Outsourcing is often remote or it relies on extending your company with a development team, without integrating it in your company fully. It is a part of your business but operates as a separate entity. So, naturally, the approach is far from immune to miscommunication.
Sometimes the distance can create delays due to time differences. A lot of communication is non-verbal and has a natural delayed response. Another aspect to be aware of is that the scope and objectives of the project need to be clear and timely, otherwise risking work in the wrong direction.
2) Unclear Management Chain and Control Practices
With outsourcing, the developers work with two separate management teams. And while both cooperate for the sake of the project, it needs to be established who to turn to for what, when and so on.
While both teams work together, each has internal processes, and the team needs to know which to follow and to what degree. For example, policies for internal communication between employees for a client company will apply to a limited degree to the team.
On the other end rules for business communication, business meeting requirements, language, and timeliness must be followed. But the client’s dress code is irrelevant.
3) Focusing on the Price But not on the Quality
When companies consider taking the outsourcing route, they often start out with planning how much work they can afford to request. They plan out all the features they can potentially acquire with the budget that they can set aside.
This will definitely get you a product that performs what it was intended to a certain degree. However, the question is should client companies account for the additional cost of high-quality products, or otherwise sacrifices several features for the sake of having a few that perform well?
Conclusion:
As you can see, outsourcing is an option that can offer plenty. It is, however, one that needs consideration when it comes to what you want to pay for and how to approach the development process.
Do you believe that the value in outsourcing outweighs the potential pitfalls if not targeted properly? Do you have any experience with outsourcing? What was your experience and would you change your approach if you choose to try again?
