The word “offshore development” seems to be on fire! Businesses irrespective of their sizes, niche, and locations are looking around for a reliable offshore development team to create an app that someday sooner might hit Google or Apple stores. The term entrepreneur has become a little passe’, it’s time to make way for appreneurs.
As digitalization continues to mount, the demand for an ideal offshore software development company has never been so high. And trust me, it’s never going to slow down!
The following post not just focuses on the best offshore management practices but what kind of companies to consider when conducting offshore development projects, also what is it, why one must opt for offshore software development services, and how it’s beneficial in the long run for your business. Let’s begin!
What Is Offshore Software Development?
Imagine you have decided to celebrate Christmas with your near and dear ones and all of a sudden you face an unfortunate mishap where your microwave oven explodes. So what will you do? Simple, you will order food online.
Now, this is known as outsourcing. You have outsourced services of a third party for your own benefit. Of course, outsourcing is pretty much different from offshore software development.
Outsourcing is when you have contacted a third party within your location and offshoring is said when you are getting your work done again from the third-party service provider but they are located overseas.
And that’s the reason why software development is mostly said to be done offshore.
Although the terms outsourcing and offshore software development can be used interchangeably there is a slight difference which we won’t be discussing in the following post as this one focuses mainly on offshore.
Hiring an Offshore software development company is said when you hire a team that works on your behalf located overseas. For example, Google, Microsoft do have their offshore stations in Asia. India, Eastern Europe, China, Latin America, Africa, the Philippines, Vietnam are some of the most popular outsourcing destinations worth considering across the globe. Wondering why?
Simple due to low operational costs and instant access to a wide pool of offshore team members.
So here is the big question? When should one think of hiring a reputable offshore software development services provider? Well, there is not one sign, I can give you three:
- Operational cost is piling on
- Unable to scale up within the time
- Lack of access to experienced technical programmers
Why Is It Important to Choose an Offshore Development Team?
Considering the fact at which offshore software development is growing, I presume that it’s already high time you must opt for reputable offshore developers or offshore development teams for your upcoming software development project.
Instant Access to the World-Class Software Developers
One of the obvious benefits of hiring an offshore development company is you get instant access to a wide range of project managers, software developers, testers featuring different levels of expertise and experiences.
Finding a reliable software developer within your location could be a bit daunting because first of all, you might not get within your predetermined budget and if you do you may not get as experienced as you require. So hiring offshore teams turns out to be the best choice to make. Here you won’t just get any professional at your price but a well-experienced one.
Operational Costs are Reduced Significantly
Another significant benefit of choosing a software development company overseas is low operational costs. Here you are hiring an entire development team and for that one doesn’t require to set up their own workspace, equipment, day-to-day infrastructure, and of course setting up a software development team.
Because all these requirements are taken care of by your offshore software development companies.
Giving your project to a development company in Ukraine or Serbia, India definitely turns out to be a cost-effective venture instead of giving your project to the USA, London, Singapore, Australia.
One must always keep in mind, if these software development companies are offering services at a low rate then it doesn’t mean one is less talented. It means their location comprises low taxes.
Focus on Your Core Activities
One of the biggest advantages of hiring offshore teams is that you get to focus well on your business venture. Once you have a remote team to take care of all your offshoring software development requirements you no longer need to worry regarding the same. Trust your offshore partner, he is there to take care of all your needs.
Also, they will keep updating you on a timely basis so that you exactly know where your project is heading to. And of course, you get to focus on your business concerns (the essential ones).
Now before you hire or even start looking for reputable offshore development companies around, just make sure that you have defined your goals prior. If you aren’t clear regarding your goals how will you explain your offshore team members?
Be precise with your requirements and after that try sorting out offshore software development teams on the basis of the required skill sets. Whether you need frontend developers, backend, or full-stack developers. Lastly, do not forget to plan your budget prior. Hiring an offshore team is not an easy task but if done right it can get you places.
Now, for many of you, this prospect of hiring an offshore software development team turns out to be pretty worrisome and daunting as there are a plethora of options available when looking for offshore developers. Well, as far as you end up choosing offshore teams who follow these below-mentioned development best practices, you can never go wrong!
Best Practices to Manage an Offshore Team
So by now, it seems that you have chosen an offshore software development team and it’s time to manage it well. I am sure what you must be thinking, you think if you can manage an in-house software development team then offshore is not a big issue. Well, to be honest, it is! Fret not, further I would like to mention certain practices to take into account while managing offshore teams.
1. Stay Connected
One of the obvious ways to deal with any offshore software development company is to stay in the loop, no matter what! Understanding software development is a huge investment in regards to time, energy and money so make sure you make the most of it. Choose to work with an offshore team that keeps you in the loop.
An ideal company is said to be the one that keeps you well informed at every decision they make. Since it’s your development project, you should be knowing what’s happening, how things are taken care of here. If it’s not possible for you, you can assign a team that works closely with them and achieve objectives.
2. Say What You Expect
One of the most common issues that happen between the clients and their offshore teams is that the clients are unable to reveal what they expect and the outcome is not that satisfactory. So if you don’t want to be a part of the blame game then simply it is advisable to be clear on what you expect. Communicate with your offshore team precisely.
Make them understand what exactly you need so that the end result turns out to be fruitful.
Also, ask them to document everything. By doing this there is no scope for any misconception or unfortunate outcomes as everything is well-understood.
3. Be Clear on Time-zone Differences
Next, practice taking into account time-zone differences. Of course, you are choosing an offshore development company which surely means the time zone won’t be the same. In fact, here chances are pretty high of your working hours being overlapped. So make the most of it! Also, you can think of changing shift timings of both offshore and in-house teams.
4. Agile Methodology
As mentioned earlier, software development is pretty much a complicated process, it does require a high level of engagement and interaction. Now why agile methodology, you may ask? Well, first and foremost the project must be broken into bits and pieces so that things can be taken care of well.
Adopting agile methodology does provide great assistance in the creation as well as deployment of software products within the given time.
5. Choose the Right Engagement Model
Before you even proceed to talk with offshore teams it is very important for you to know that you have to choose the right engagement model. Now, what are these engagement models precisely?
Fixed Priced Model
This model is highly recommendable for short-term projects. As the name implies here fixed price is quoted and the client has nothing more to pay. Of course, since it’s fixed there is no scope for any variations or flexibility. In case of any additions or changes, extra costs will be added and you may end up exceeding your predetermined budget.
Time and Material Model
Much like the fixed-priced model, this one does involve particular time and material being invested. As a client, you are supposed to pay on an hourly basis. Of course, the model is a bit more flexible than the fixed price model. Here you do get partial control over the project.
Dedicated Team Model
If your project is long-term, the following engagement model is highly recommendable. To last any relation long, trust, commitment, and reliability are extremely important and the dedicated team model comprises all these aspects.
Therefore, at first, this model might seem to be extremely costly but if you see it in the long run, it’s quite cost-effective. Here you get the full amount and flexibility and the project is entirely in your control.
Conclusion
And that’s all for now! I hope the post has turned out to be helpful for your upcoming software development venture. Of course, there will be challenges but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to succeed. In case you still have any doubts or queries, feel free to mention that in the comment section below.
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