Software development outsourcing is not a new practice, but with time it is becoming more and more popular. With the rapid development of technology, the cost of hiring and maintaining an internal team of developers is not limited to one way. Staff overheads and the software and hardware required to complete the job may prevent many companies from obtaining customized software.
When you outsource custom software development, you gain on-demand access and scalability to a large number of unique and professional skills that would otherwise be impossible to achieve. Although the advantages of outsourcing are unquestionable, there are some things to keep in mind when choosing an outsourcing company.
It is often said that working with the “right” outsourcing agency or company always ensures an unbeaten product launch. Come, let’s talk about the common mistakes companies do and must be avoided in the selection process.
Mistake #1 – Not Sure of the Goals
You may know what exactly you want your application or software to do, but you may not be sure about the process. Realistic expectations and clearly defined project scope can help your outsourcing team complete your project requirement on time, thus, delivering the product you have been envisioned. This also makes the relationship very smooth.
Mistake #2 – Budget Issue
Cost is a key consideration for outsourcing, but it should not affect the quality of your work. Of course outsourcing tends to reduce the cost of the entire process of software development. However this does not mean it is cheap.
Knowing your budget in advance can help you and software developers quickly determine whether the hiring is feasible or not. A lot of pragmatism also helps here. If you talk to a few of your favourite suppliers, but their prices seem to be higher than your budget, you may need to reassess whether your outlay expectations are practical. One of the most unpleasant decisions you can make is to choose the cheapest company, and when other companies tell you that it’s impossible, it promises to provide everything.
Mistake #3 – Missing Out on Asking About the Method
No matter how great your application or software idea is, if your custom software development agency uses methods that slow down time to market, then you will not get the return on investment you deserve. For example, a “hands-on and agile” software development method focusing on the entire life cycle of the project can be helpful. Establish agile methods in the development phase to make collaboration concise, clear, and effective. This will result in conventional delivery dates, improved project control and last but not least higher quality products.
Mistake #4 – Failing to Establish Proper Communication
It is important to have a regular two-way communication which will lead to success. Transparency in the entire development process is crucial because it reduces assumptions and misunderstandings and ensures that the entire team is on the same page. Good communication is the key to a company’s achievement.
Mistake #5 – Not Researching on the Choices
Any good and professional outsourcing software development company will definitely share case studies with you. Does the company work with companies and industries similar to yours? They will share the work examples and clearly explain the owner’s goals and solutions.
Remember one thing; coding is not everything, although without it you will not get your product! Many software developers have been seen lacking the business skills to translate vision into functionality.
