10 mistakes to avoid when outsourcing your software development

10 mistakes to avoid when outsourcing your software development

The importance of hiring a software outsourcing company for your IT requirements is being recognized by startups and large-scale companies across the globe. There are many advantages to outsourcing your software development. The primary reason for you to consider hiring a software development outsourcing company, besides the cost-effectiveness, is the ability to work with highly-qualified professionals without having to bear the expenses of hiring them for your in-house team.  It also gives you the flexibility to work with people from anywhere in the world and you have the choice of working with software outsourcing companies best suited for your budget, type of project and style of working. Additionally, you do not have to dedicate time and effort in setting up your team or finding resources for creating the software.

For most business owners, software development is not their core competence and they often end up spending a lot of time trying to figure out the technicalities to help their in-house team in consistently working towards the end product. This is not the most favourable situation as it can be quite time-consuming. If this task is delegated to a software outsourcing company, you can focus on growing your business, rather than learning how to build software.

While making use of offshore software development services is quite a regular occurrence, there are some common mistakes that businesses make very often when they are outsourcing to a bespoke software development company. This, in turn, causes issues such as loss of time, elevated prices and faulty codes. Avoid the following mistakes at all costs:

#1 Poor company analysis and selection based on cost proposition: Most companies choose a company for their low costs. This can be a very expensive mistake as they might not be able to deliver the kind of work you want to delegate to them. Make sure to do enough research about the company you are planning to hire.

#2 Unclear requirements and expectations: Do not start a project without spending some time to make your requirements clear. Without giving the team a clear vision of your objectives, they might not be able to achieve your business goals.

#3 Fixed price approach: Software development is a dynamic process. The scope of work will never remain the same. Having a fixed price might not cover any new developments in the project. Consider the use of Agile software development for improved quality.

#4 Short-term partnerships: If you make short-term partnerships, you are not thinking of the long-term goals of your company. The IT outsourcing company does not have enough time to understand your project and your business well enough to deliver a good outcome.

#5 Underestimating the role of communication: Good communication can do wonders to your business. It helps you work well with the team and guide them based on your vision of the project. Therefore, it is crucial to building a communication mechanism with your outsourcing partner.

#6 Underestimating project manager role: A project manager is not only responsible for assigning tasks and checking progress but also to ensure smooth functioning of the team and effective communication. Without a good PM, your requirements could be misunderstood, the timelines can get messed up and you might also end up spending more money to complete the project.

#7 Quality Assurance: Testing is a crucial part of the process. Any software that is not tested for errors will face the wrath of customers who might encounter bugs and glitches, leading to a poor review of your brand.

#8 Misunderstanding Cultural differences: You will be working with a team that will be culturally different from yours. Thus, you need to inform them of your fashion of working and give them an idea of the cultural norms to make sure that they work more efficiently on the project, more in tune with your team.

#9 Unreasonable timelines: Good nearshore software development requires time. Make sure that you let the software development life cycle take its course. Instead of aligning the software development to business-related deadlines, it is better if it works the other way round. Plan your timelines around your software development.

#10 No technician on your end: Always have a tech-savvy member of your team handle the outsourcing company. There has to be someone with technical knowledge from your end to make sure the job is not only done properly but also in a technically accurate fashion.

Be sure to keep these points in mind when you are looking for a software development outsourcing company. Your objective while outsourcing your software development should be to reduce time, money and effort spent on building software. These mistakes will eventually force you to dedicate more time and money to rectify errors.

The best way to avoid them is to choose a Software Development Company that has skilled developers and a systematic approach to handling software development projects. We, at RSK Business Solutions, will ensure that your software is built as per your requirements without the added stress of dealing with the development team. To find out more about our services, click here.