Key Strategies for Successful Offshore Software Development Management
Offshore software development has become increasingly popular as businesses look for ways to access global talent and reduce costs.
According to a report by Statista, the global offshore software development market is expected to reach $88.9 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9% from 2020 to 2027. As more companies turn to offshore software development, it’s important to understand how to manage these projects effectively.
As Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, once said, “The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.” This quote highlights the importance of efficient processes in any business operation, including offshore software development.
To help businesses manage offshore software development effectively, we have compiled essential tips and best practices based on industry expertise and research. By following these tips, businesses can ensure successful project outcomes and leverage the benefits of offshore software development.
Best Approaches for Managing Offshore Software Development Outsourcing
John Chambers, former CEO of Cisco emphasized that “Offshoring is an important strategy for companies looking to stay competitive in today’s global economy. It allows us to tap into a worldwide pool of highly skilled talent and deliver high-quality software at a lower cost.”
Offshore software development projects can be a cost-effective and efficient way to develop software applications. To get the most out of an offshore software development project, make sure it is well-managed. Here are some of the best tips for successfully building your project.
Build a strong foundation
When working with an offshore team, it’s important to ensure that they understand the project’s scope and requirements. This can be achieved through clear communication and documentation of the project scope and requirements.
For example Philips, a leading health technology company, used offshore software development to develop a new healthcare analytics platform. The company implemented a solid scope management framework that included a detailed project plan, regular communication with the offshore development team, and a system for managing changes to project scope. The framework helped the project to be completed on time and within budget while ensuring that the final product met the company’s requirements and quality standards.
To ensure that the offshore team works within the project scope, it’s important to have a solid framework and guidelines for their work. This can include establishing performance metrics, providing regular feedback, and conducting regular performance reviews. Additionally, it’s important to establish a process for managing scope changes that includes review and approval by the project stakeholders.
Collaborate, don’t delegate
Approaching your offshore workforce as a partner is critical to establishing a successful working relationship and accomplishing project objectives. Here are some suggestions for how to approach your offshore team as a partner:
- Project planning: Involve the offshore team in the project planning process to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the project scope and can provide input on timelines, deliverables, and resources needed.
- Support and resources: If required, provide the offshore team with the necessary resources and support they need to succeed, such as access to tools, software, and training.
- Build a rapport: Build a positive working relationship with the offshore team by showing interest in their culture, background, and work style. This helps to build rapport and trust, which is essential for effective collaboration.
- Celebrate successes: Celebrate project milestones and successes with the offshore team. Recognize their contributions and show appreciation for their hard work.
By treating your offshore team as a partner, you can ensure that they are fully invested in the project’s success and are committed to delivering high-quality work. This, in turn, can help to ensure that the offshore team works within the defined project scope and delivers the desired outcomes on time and within budget.
Keep your eyes on the end goal
The key milestone is the completion date of the software project, however there are numerous deadlines between the start date and the end date. It is the software project manager’s role to create a project management plan, including deadlines and milestones, while keeping in mind which features of the software rely on others to function properly. Concentrate on four essential stages of the development life cycle:
- Inception
- Planning
- Execution
- Closure
It’s very useful to distinguish which deadline corresponds to which sprint, as this will aid with resource allocation for each sprint. Furthermore, project managers can identify prospective obstacles or bottlenecks, such as a feature that will be particularly difficult to implement or one that will necessitate a finished design from the user experience team.
Diversity drives innovation
Partnering with an offshore team requires cultural awareness in order to develop a positive working relationship and avoid conflicts or disagreements. If we take a look at the renowned company Microsoft, a global technology company, has a strong focus on cultural sensitivity and diversity. The company has implemented a cultural sensitivity training program for its employees, which includes training on cultural differences, communication styles, and working across different time zones. This has helped the company to effectively manage cultural differences in its offshore software development projects.
Below are a few suggestions for dealing with cultural differences in a sensitive manner:
- Respect cultural differences: Show respect for cultural differences by acknowledging and embracing them. This can help to build a positive working relationship and show that you value diversity.
- Be flexible: Be flexible in your work style and approach to accommodate cultural differences. This can help to build a positive working relationship and avoid conflicts.
- Avoid stereotypes: Avoid making assumptions or stereotypes about the offshore team’s culture. Instead, approach each team member as an individual and get to know them personally.
Talk and walk the success
Managing remote teams can be challenging, particularly in terms of communication. Establishing relationships with developers scattered across diverse locations can be difficult. However, understanding how to bridge this gap makes things more manageable.
Communication is highly important when working with a distributed team. Companies must ensure that they have open and transparent dialogue with offshore members. Only with right communication, right collaboration is possible, which makes everyone work towards a common goal.
Here are some of the exquisite techniques for prioritizing communication.
- Daily stand-ups – 15-minute sync meeting to go through their daily tasks.
- Weekly meetings – To summarize the previous week’s outcomes and plan the upcoming week’s work.
- Monthly sync-ups – Concluding results over the month, scheduling next projects, and addressing the client’s feedback.
Platforms that accelerate accomplishment
Effective collaboration is the key to drive successful software development. By connecting them with the proper collaborative platforms, we can provide them with the essential access and transparency. Let’s take a look at some of the tools and processes that enable real-time communication.
Email is the most fundamental mode of communication. There are alternative options, however for specific criteria, only email works well. For example obtaining necessary approvals and processing documentation. It should only be used when necessary. Everyone working on development projects must be given company email addresses for security reasons.
- Chat Tools
Skype, Google Meet, Slack, and Zoom are popular chat platforms because they are simple to use and accessible. Improved communication using these chat platforms not only aids in faster project delivery but also in strengthening team relationships and promotes better teamwork.
- Productivity improvement Tools
Project management tools such as Jira, Trello, and Asana Jira centralize all of your project content. Read-time status and workflow dependencies are all made apparent to all team members at all times, leaving no scope for missed deadlines. Even if they are not physically present with the team, project managers may track the project’s progress.
Navigate with confidence
Risk management is a crucial part of planning, and it involves identifying and assessing potential threats, determining their likelihood and impact, and developing strategies to mitigate or avoid them. By proactively identifying potential risks and preparing a plan of action, you can minimize their impact and avoid costly mistakes.
The first step in risk management is to identify potential risks. This can be done by brainstorming with your team, reviewing past experiences, or consulting with experts in your field. Once you have identified the potential risks, the next step is to assess their likelihood and impact. This will help you determine which risks are most significant and require the most attention.
After assessing the risks, you can develop strategies to mitigate or avoid them. This might involve developing contingency plans, implementing new procedures or protocols, or investing in additional resources or equipment. Let’s look at an instance Wipro, a leading global IT services company, implemented a risk management framework for its offshore software development projects. The framework included risk identification, analysis, mitigation, and monitoring. This helped the company to mitigate risks and deliver high-quality software within budget and on time.
To Sum Up
Managing offshore software development can be challenging, but with the right approach and mindset, it can be highly rewarding. To drive success and achieve your goals you need to build a strong partnership with your offshore team, keeping the aforementioned precepts in mind.
With the increasing globalization of the software industry, offshore software development is becoming more prevalent and necessary for companies to remain competitive. By following these tips and best practices, you can navigate the challenges and leverage the benefits of offshore software development to drive your business forward.
