Outsourcing software development has become one of the most popular ways for businesses to cut costs on projects that are not core to their business. At the same time, it has also become a risky proposition as many businesses have failed to find partners who can deliver high-quality work within scope and budget and partner with them for the long run. As a result, choosing the right outsourcing partner can be tricky if you don’t know what you should be looking for. That being said, it doesn’t have to be that way. Outsourcing software development doesn’t have to be a risky move; it just requires knowing how to choose the right partner. With these tips in mind, you can streamline your search and increase your likelihood of finding a great outsourcing partner:
Know the Scope of Work and Your Budget
The first thing to do when outsourcing services is to understand the scope of work and your budget. This is important to your outsourced Managed IT service providers on software development so they can outline your expectations from the start making sure both your scope and budget expectations are in line with the work that is to be done. What does this have to do with finding the right outsourcer, you might ask? Well, a lot, actually. If you don’t find the right outsourcer, you’ll be either paying too much for the work, or you won’t get what you need to be done within your budget.
It’s also important to note here that a lot of outsourcing companies have their own set of processes and methodologies, and you might have to adjust your scope of work to match their preferred methodologies. In such a scenario, make sure you communicate your scope of work, web application architecture, and your expectations with the outsourcer before signing the contract.
Check the Reputation
The next step is to check the reputation of the outsourcing company. This is done by checking the company’s track record, references, and history. You can also do this by talking to other businesses that have worked with the outsourcing company in the past. The best way to do this is by contacting the outsourcing company and asking for references from previous clients. You can do this over the phone or via email and then follow up with a call to take the conversation to the next level.
Subject Matter Expert Recommendation
This allows you to gauge the quality of work from the outsourcer that you’re considering working with and make a better decision. You can recommend to your customers, investors, or partners for references if they’ve worked with outsourcing agencies. The best way to do this is to send them an email and ask them if they are willing to provide a recommendation.
Make sure to follow up with them to make sure they got your email and are ready to recommend the outsourcing company. One thing to keep in mind here is that you don’t want to recommend an outsourcer who is not proven to be excellent at what they do. On the other hand, it’s better to recommend an outsourcer who might not be excellent at the moment but has the potential to get there with the right guidance and mentorship. Outsourcing software development is a learning curve for both parties, and you should find a partner who is ready to learn and grow with you.
Check Out Their Website
The next thing to do when outsourcing software development is to check out the website of the outsourcing company that you are considering partnering with. This is important as you will be able to understand their culture and work environment. A well-presented website shows that the outsourcing company has put in the effort to represent itself well and has a decent amount of resources at its disposal.
It’s also important to check out the blog section of the website to gauge how responsive the outsourcing company is. If the blog section is active and the outsourcing company responds to industry trends and news, it’s a good sign that the outsourcing company is engaged and ready to work with you. Keep in mind that outsourcers will want to show you the best side of themselves, and that’s perfectly fine. However, don’t completely rule out outsourcing companies that don’t have a well-presented website, as they might not be ready to work with customers yet.
Read the Contract Carefully
You should understand what you are signing up for and make sure that the outsourcer is responsible for the deliverables. It’s also important to make sure that the contract has an outsourcer’s liability section and doesn’t leave you to shoulder all of the risks. Make sure to read the full contract and if you don’t understand any section, ask the outsourcer to explain it to you. If you are outsourcing to India, make sure you understand the terms of service and make sure the outsourcer is compliant with the rules and regulations in India. While it might seem like a trivial part of the process, it can save you a lot of headaches down the line.
Bottom line
Outsourcing software development is one of the most popular ways for businesses to cut costs on projects that are not core to their business. When following these tips, you will surely find a reputable outsourcing partner that will be able to bring your ideas to life!
