Outsourcing software developers is a different journey for everyone.
Barriers are perhaps the most common obstacle that outsourcing projects face. Why? Because the most sought-after benefit of software outsourcing (access to talented developers) also puts some major obstacles in the way: time zone compatibility, language fluency, and cultural similarities.
While it's not that difficult for smaller projects to find a way around them, medium and large operations don't always have that possibility. And, to be honest, we would all prefer not to have to deal with such problems. From meetings at odd times to major misunderstandings throughout the software development cycle, it's always better not to have to worry about miscommunication.
And, in terms of linguistic fluency and cultural similarities, it's about outsourcing to a region that shares the same influences as your homeland. This is why, for example, Russian companies tend to outsource development to Eastern European countries and US companies tend to outsource development to Latin America.
2. Undefined goals and results
Before outsourcing software developers (and before any outsourcing project, in fact), it's critical that you clarify what you expect from the vendor. This includes all requirements and deliverables that would be presented in a defined timeline. The success of the final product will always depend on this initial step.
Failure to do so would likely result in a confusing and unfocused software development process. Both your in-house and outsourced teams would quickly fall into knowledge silos that would slowly and steadily put distance between your vision and everything in development. Without a doubt, this is a recipe for disappointment.
Avoiding this requires legwork. You need to know what you want to achieve before hiring a software development team. If you're not sure, a few hours on the internet can take you a long way. Better yet, ask colleagues or others who have previously outsourced software development about their experience and how they managed to make it all work. And finally, it's always helpful to contact an IT consultant at the company of your choice who can paint a clearer picture for you.
Start by writing a detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) that lists what you need and what you want to achieve. If you're not sure what information to include, I recently wrote an article with all the information you would need to include in this document. A well-crafted RFP will help you organize your requirements and plant the strong roots your project needs.
3. Underwhelming Progress
We all know that things don't always go as planned. However, most companies that outsource software developers do not have the luxury of downtime. When your project simply doesn't meet expected deadlines or quality points, it can be very demotivating. In my experience, this can be the result of an overestimate on the part of the customer or an overbid on the part of the supplier. Most often it is a combination of both.
However, the client's entire responsibility is to define what is expected from the project, which we just talked about above. Once the vendor agrees to these goals (or a new version of them), it's your job to make it happen. Whether what they offered was possible or not is up to them. Of course, there are millions of other reasons why a project could slow down but shouldn't.
4. Below average collaboration
In software development, it takes two to tango. Outsourcing software developers is not as simple as passing a list of needs to someone else and expecting excellent results. Whether you are outsourcing individual engineers or developing end-to-end software for your IT partner, as a customer you will always have to provide valuable feedback to drive your project forward. This is why every development process must establish a clear workflow, which varies from organization to organization.
Your shared workflow will depend on how effectively you can communicate with your outsourced development team. Both parties should aim to shorten feedback cycles, maintain a detailed backlog, and follow the development roadmap established at the beginning. There are 5 tactics you can use to keep track of all of this:
- Live chat : Chat apps like Slack, Wrike, or Stride help establish easy, frequent, and real-time communication channels. These are the most hassle-free ways of sharing information. Its level of accessibility is unparalleled.
- Daily Calls : Daily update calls are great for getting quick updates on progress and discussing any pressing issues. Everyone should be up to date in less than 15 minutes. As a client, it's great to keep track of all project iterations.
- Backlog meetings : Being part of backlog meetings will give you the opportunity to stay on top of the product backlog, where you can contribute to how your outsourced team defines requirements, estimates, and blockers.
- Sprint Reviews : Participating in the Sprint Review is mandatory. This is the time when your feedback has the most effect and where you can know whether the project is fulfilling its vision.
- In-person meetings : Although not always necessary, in-person meetings are great for building trust and relationships between both parties, which leads to smoother cooperation in the future and is quite easy to organize if you are in the nearshoring process.
If you want to learn more about collaboration and workflow matching, take a look at our guide on how to coordinate your workflow with a nearshore team. Also, keep in mind which software development metrics are most important for your project.
The road to success
Outsourcing software developers is a different journey for everyone. However, working with the right software company can really be the difference between a smooth project and one full of inconveniences. What's more, avoiding these traps will get you 90% of the way there. So keep an eye out for them in your next project!
If you liked this article, be sure to check out some more articles about outsourcing.
- Strategies to ensure vendor accountability in software outsourcing
- Benefits of Software Outsourcing: Maximize Your Market Visibility
- 5 Tips for Selecting the Perfect Software Outsourcing Vendor
- Quality Assurance Outsourcing Strategies: Tips and Tricks
