The Comprehensive Guide For Outsourcing Software Development

It’s almost impossible for a business to have in-house specialists for every niche in IT, especially software development. Setting up a team of on-site software developers for short-term projects can be costly and time-consuming. This is where outsourcing software development comes into play. Outsourcing software development involves a company hiring an external vendor/a third party to delegate its software development projects instead of using its in-house resources. This allows companies to tap into a talent pool of experienced developers, use the latest technologies, scale flexibly, streamline the development process, and reduce time to market while saving costs.

On a managerial level, outsourcing also requires extra diligence and planning to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that the outcome meets company expectations. We have helped build over 400 mobile apps and websites with our tried and tested process, and are experts in the outsourcing world. So, here is the comprehensive guide for outsourcing software development so you can do it confidently and efficiently.

Finding The Right Partners

When outsourcing software development it’s important to do your due diligence in the process of choosing a software development company. While outsourcing software development has many advantages, it also comes with its fair share of risks. As head of the project, the results it yields are your responsibility, so the developers you choose to work with should understand your goals, have compatible communication skills, have ample experience, and be trusted in the industry.

You can start looking for potential candidates through colleague recommendations or by doing deep research. Look for companies who have the qualifications and experience to work in your industry and have worked with other professionals successfully. You should also look for case studies on their websites featuring companies similar to yours that they’ve worked with and try to find reviews and testimonials from their past clients. Having an idea of what their previous work looks like will help you get a better idea of what to expect from their work.

Another thing to look for when in your potential candidates is what their process with clients looks like. Every developer has a different method to their madness, so making sure you feel comfortable with their process is important. For example, at BitCot our process involves a success-driven approach. We start with a vision from the client, then move on to the strategy and discovery stage that involves deep research and brainstorming, after that, we begin the design process and walk clients through the different directions the design can go. Once completed, we begin the development and testing stage to ensure that every line of code is crafted with care. Then once your app or website launches, the fun isn’t over yet! We continue building for growth and measuring success over time. Feeling aligned with the developer’s process is important for the long-term success of outsourcing software development.

Refine Your Project and Its Goals

It all starts with an idea. Whether it’s one person or a whole team of collaborators, it’s important to understand each individual’s goals and objectives. When outsourcing software development, attach action to your ideas and aim to refine your goals before hiring a development team so you know how to communicate with them. While most development teams can help with your vision and strategy, it’s important for you to have a clear understanding of what you want out of the project.

Understand Your Role in Project Management

Understanding your role in project management means being okay with giving up some control and being aware of just how much control you are willing to give up. Some software development companies will handle most of the project management for you while others might need you to oversee things more closely. But, when outsourcing software development it’s important to discuss with your development company what requirements they have and what concessions they can make to your preferences.

Communication is Key!

In any business venture, communication is key. When it comes to project management, communication is even more important for smooth sailing and a successful outcome. Regardless of how you split up your project management, you want to establish a clear line of communication with your development team so everyone feels aligned with what needs to be accomplished.

Effectively communicating your needs for the project will help the entire process run smoothly. You should also communicate on a set schedule to stay informed on the project and make sure you’re consistently on the same page. You can choose to schedule regular virtual meetings to check that everything is going according to plan and there isn’t anything holding up the project or use specific communication tools like Slack or Google Drive.

Know Where to Invest

Software development can be expensive (even when outsourcing software development) so having a clearly defined budget and understanding of what is a priority will be important. You want to be confident that every part of your budget is being spent sensibly. While sometimes developers will have suggestions for you, you should also know what’s best for your company.

Have a clear idea of what your non-negotiables are in the project so most of the budget is allocated towards those things. You should also always have a part of your budget reserved in case of an emergency or any unexpected expense that may come up.

Outsourcing software development is investing in the future of your business. Finding innovative and cost-effective ways to bring your product to the market faster is the need of the hour in the software industry. Outsourcing helps big-time in accelerating your software development process while saving development costs.

If you’re looking for a team to build cutting-edge software solutions to boost business growth get in touch with the BitCot team! We have built over 400 web and mobile apps with our simple and comprehensive process that includes: idea building & vision, design (UI/UX), development, testing, and launch.