Project outsourcing is a sensitive topic that evokes a lot of polarized opinions whenever it’s being discussed. The reality of the matter is that in the right setting, outsourcing can be beneficial to an enterprise in numerous ways.
To make it work like that, however, an enterprise must outsource its projects the right way. Here are the top best practices for outsourcing development projects at the enterprise level:
1. Don’t focus solely on cost saving (Go for the right skillset)
Among the gravest mistakes made by most of the enterprises that get it wrong when outsourcing is focusing on the lowest bidder. Not to say that hiring a web development agency with low prices is a bad thing, but not so many of these have the right balance between such low prices and quality skills.
It’s advisable that even as you look at the price, consider the quality of skills, in a similar measure. You’d rather spend slightly more on a provider that has a great track record and positive reviews.
A top-of-the-class enterprise web application development like Launch strikes the perfect balance between the quality of skills offered and the cost savings that enterprises can make.
2. Have clear project and business goals
For the best results, it’s best that you know exactly what you want to achieve with a given project. Clear objectives empower the web development company to offer professional services that are tailored specifically for your enterprise.
What’s more, when you outline your objectives clearly, it will be easier to set expectations such as the overall cost of the project. Besides, with well-defined goals you can effectively guide the developer and have a proper plan on how to make your project a success.
3. Create a complete milestone map
It’s crucial to decide what you should expect at every stage of the project development process. That’s because the milestones you set will help you track and be in control of the project completion rate.
Make sure to communicate these milestones with the developer that you choose, so that everyone is on the same page. What’s more, make sure to set achievable goals for your projects, to avoid delays that may result in frustrations.
4. Create a detailed documentation for the project
The development partners that you outsource should understand the project like it’s theirs. When a developer comprehends a project fully, they can develop it according to your expectations without major hurdles. That’s why you should have a detailed System Requirement Specification (SRS) document for the project describing the features and behavior of the project.
Considering that miscommunication can send a project off-course, it’s also necessary to ensure that your SRS document contains a clear Scope of Work (SoW) so that the developers have something to guide them. With adequate information about the project, it’s even possible for your development partners to introduce innovative ideas to enhance the project’s development.
5. Communicate (A lot)
Establish communication with the developer and keep engaging them throughout the lifetime of the project. And this communication shouldn’t even be all about assessment. If anything, you may want to separate the communication schedule from the assessment schedule.
Your communication schedule should be more informal so that you can create a positive, long-term relationship with the company. Phonetic conversations or simple emails inquiring about the accomplishments and challenges that the company is facing would be ideal, in this case. You can offer any suggestions that you think may help, and start a conversation that will benefit your project.
6. Have an assessment schedule
Now, on to the assessment part. Here’s where you want to ensure that the project is progressing as per the plan. Make sure to have a closer look at the time spent on the project, and measure delays, if any.
The schedule should align with your enterprise goals for the best results. Ideally, you should have a check in the morning, and another at night.
After a week’s work, the developer should provide a summary of what they have done during that week. That way, you can identify and appreciate the accomplishments and discuss any areas that may need improvement.
There you have it,
Six best practices that you ought to consider when outsourcing your development project to a third-party provider. Keep in mind, though, that these practices make the most sense only when you pick the right provider.
Thus, spend as much time as is necessary before making your selection and save a lot of time, money, and effort that you can redirect to the success of your project or enterprise!