Unless you’re a large company with significant software development work to complete every month, it probably won’t be viable to employ a team of developers. Most software development projects are a one-off, but that doesn’t mean you should accept anything but the best. Software development outsourcing is a way for your business to harness the skills of developers anywhere in the world. The best thing? It will often come at a fraction of the cost.
Who Outsources Software Development?
Software development outsourcing is a viable option for a whole range of different businesses. Since most companies only require software development work to be done on an ad-hoc basis, it doesn’t make sense to employ permanent staff for the job. Whether you’re a small, medium or large business, there’s every chance you will consider outsourcing software development at one stage or another.
Projects that are often outsourced include:
- Website development
- Custom software programs
- Mobile application development
- Web application development
You don’t have to be an established business to find value in outsourcing software development though. You may have an idea for a revenue generating app or game, and outsourcing this work can often be a cheaper option.
What are the Benefits of Software Development Outsourcing?
There’s a whole stack of reasons you might consider outsourcing your software development tasks. It’s often a more cost-effective way to complete projects, as overseas developers can often come at a fraction of the cost. You may already have a team of developers, but for specific projects there may be some skill gaps that you need to outsource for. Here’s some of the main reasons you may consider outsourcing.
Cost: Outsourcing to overseas countries is often cheaper than hiring locally.
Wider talent pool: You might not be able to find people with the right skills locally, but with outsourcing you can.
Speed: Local software companies may have competing priorities, but you could find an outsourced developer who can dedicate 100% of their work time to your job.
Risk management: You may outsource different tasks to different people, meaning there’s less risk of the project falling over if you make one bad hiring call.
What are the Risks of Software Development Outsourcing?
Not unlike hiring any professional service, outsourcing your software comes with risks too. Here’s a few of the common problems you might experience in an outsourcing relationship.
Poor communication: Language barriers and work practices can make communication problematic.
Cheap services: The cheapest services come with a risk of being the lowest quality.
Lack of business knowledge: Software developers from overseas may not understand your business and the local market well enough to deliver a truly effective product.
Exaggerated skills: Everyone is prone to exaggerating on job applications, and outsourcing is no different. It can be difficult to check the credentials of overseas partners, meaning you may not get what you’re paying for.
Lack of accountability: Outsourcing relationships are often easy to sever, meaning the person you hire could potentially disappear without completing the job.
Difficulty getting updates: Many countries have different expectations when it comes to responding to messages and emails. You may not get the regular updates you want, and this can be a source of frustration.
What is the Best way to Outsource Software Development?
Look for services who have done the hard work for you. Many companies have developed partnerships with overseas developers and can put together a team to work on your software development projects at a fraction of the cost. This gives you some comfort that the people working on your software are tried, tested and the right fit for your job.
If you think your business can achieve some efficiency gains by outsourcing software development, make sure you’re fully informed and know who you’re hiring. At MRU Consulting we can connect you with reliable, skilled developers with a proven track record. Contact us for a risk-free quote today, and see how your business can benefit from outsourcing.