Common Pitfalls of Outsourcing Your Development
…and How to Avoid Them
No one likes looking like a fool and losing a bunch of money to some guys in India who just don’t care about your product and inflate the prices by adding imaginary team members and fake hours to your projects. Outsourcing can feel like a gamble, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
So, how can you outsource safely?
First of all, there is a reason why people outsource. It can save you a lot of money and overhead, and allow you to try things you didn’t have time to do before because your core team is busy with something more important.
There are plenty of benefits to outsourcing, but there are also risks.
Let’s see how you can outsource in a practical and secure way.
5 Tips to Choose an Outsourced Partner
1. Prioritize Alignment
Ensure that your outsourced partner shares your vision and understands your goals. Misalignment can lead to wasted time and resources. Have in-depth discussions to gauge their understanding and enthusiasm for your project.
2. Assess Work Ethic and Culture
Work ethic and cultural compatibility are crucial. A team that doesn’t value your project or doesn’t work with integrity can derail your plans. Look for partners who are committed to quality and have a strong work ethic. Check their past work and client testimonials to get a sense of their reliability.
3. Transparency is Key
Transparency in billing and project management can save you from the nightmare of inflated hours and imaginary team members. Choose a partner who uses reliable project management tools and provides detailed, transparent billing.
4. Effective Communication
Good communication can bridge the gap between in-house and outsourced teams. Ensure that your partner has robust communication channels and is responsive. Regular updates and feedback loops are essential for keeping the project on track.
5. Technical Expertise and Flexibility
Your outsourcing partner should not only have the technical skills required for your project but also the flexibility to adapt to changes. A partner who is too rigid or lacks the necessary skills can be a liability. Test their capabilities with a small project or a pilot run before committing to a long-term relationship.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Being Overtly Reliant on the Tech Stack
Your focus should be on your business objectives. Your outsourcing partner should be flexible and capable of working with the technologies that best meet your needs, not the other way around.
2. Focusing Too Much on Past Portfolios
While a strong portfolio can indicate capability, it’s more important that the outsourced team understands your unique project. Be cautious of teams that might rely on cookie-cutter solutions or recycled code from previous projects. Your project deserves a tailored approach.
3. Getting Enamored with Team Numbers
Some outsourcing companies boast about their large teams, but this can be misleading. The number of developers, product managers, or QAs they have is irrelevant if they only assign you a few junior developers who aren’t efficient. Ensure you’re not paying for resources you don’t use and that the team assigned to you is the right fit for your project.
Conclusion
Outsourcing your development doesn’t have to be a risky endeavor. By focusing on alignment, work ethic, transparency, communication, and technical expertise, you can find a partner who not only saves you money but also adds value to your projects.
At Product Forge, we help startups and enterprises set up fully independent development teams. You can scale the teams up or down based on your needs, ensuring you just pay for what you use.
Contac Us to learn how we can support you.
