For managers who are feeling the strain of overwork and want to ensure a successful software development project, outsourcing is a viable solution to consider. With the support of an adept and trustworthy outsourcing partner, not only can managers secure the triumph of their project, but also maintain their team’s happiness and preserve important relationships. The two prevailing approaches to software outsourcing are staff augmentation and autonomous delivery teams. Gaining insights into how today’s top executives utilise these methods can provide managers with a strategic advantage in preparing their organisation for future expansion.
Teams Accountable for Delivery
The Autonomous Delivery Team is a remarkably effective approach to software outsourcing. IT managed services typically provide a dedicated project manager, skilled software engineers, and proficient software development engineers in test and manual testers to ensure the highest quality output. This outsourcing strategy is particularly advantageous for busy executives as it enables them to concentrate on the bigger picture, while a team of specialists manages the intricacies of software development. Furthermore, this team of experts requires minimal supervision or guidance to carry out their responsibilities.
Pros
Immediate Attention
The utilization of autonomous delivery teams provides a significant advantage to corporations as it enables them to swiftly adapt to changes in the market and create bespoke software to address their customer’s needs. Conventional software development projects commonly require extensive planning and execution, with additional time spent on searching for and onboarding in-house developers. By providing a proficient and fully-equipped development team, end-to-end delivery teams streamline the software development process, enabling managers to focus on the task at hand and minimize the strain associated with recruitment and preparation.
Easing the Burden on Managers
The substantial managerial burden that the in-house software development process places, and the consequent diversion of key personnel from core business activities, are two significant drawbacks. Companies may gain advantages from using autonomous delivery teams, such as assigning an adept leader with the capacity to handle stress and unpredictability to manage the development project. Moreover, the most dependable software managed services will establish upfront clear communication channels and integrate checkpoints into the software development cycle, enabling managers to assess progress with ease whenever required.
Minimize the Possible Risk
Obtaining the buy-in of stakeholders and key personnel to assume the risk of developing a new software from scratch is arguably one of the most difficult aspects of the software development life cycle. It necessitates extensive planning and preparation, a team of proficient developers, and a sizable financial commitment. As contemporary software seldom generates a profit, there is an inherent level of risk associated with such an undertaking. Enlisting the services of a third-party delivery team can help reduce the potential risks in several ways. Firstly, these teams usually comprise highly skilled engineers, who specialize in one specific area yet have broad knowledge of related fields, making it easier to resolve any possible issues. Secondly, the finest software managed service agreements frequently tie full payment to the successful delivery of the software, ensuring that the software outsourcing company has a vested interest in the favorable outcome of the project.
Cons
Prevent Loss of Control
The principal downside of outsourcing delivery teams is that managers have a reduced level of control over day-to-day development activities. While this setup allows managers to concentrate on their core responsibilities and customers, it can be challenging for those who prefer a more hands-on approach. To effectively mitigate this issue, it is imperative to establish effective communication channels at the project’s outset and ensure that key supervisors are kept informed of all key stages of development.
Identifying the Optimal Delivery Team
Acquiring a reliable outsourcing partner is another hurdle associated with the adoption of autonomous delivery teams. It is crucial for businesses to have complete trust in the delivery team’s capabilities, as the end product’s quality is paramount. Incompetent delivery teams can result in a product that does not meet customer expectations, compromises consumer data security, or exceeds development costs beyond the budgeted amount. Before signing an agreement, managers should undertake thorough research into the outsourcing company’s industry credibility, the caliber of their previous projects, and the level of innovation they bring to the table, to demonstrate their competence.
Additional Staffing
Staff Augmentation Services are an established and effective form of software outsourcing, where skilled external contractors are recruited to augment an organization’s regular staff during critical phases of the software development cycle. By enlisting highly proficient software engineers to assist the team during the most labor-intensive segments of the process, managers can save both time and money.
Pros
Access Elite Talent
The capacity to obtain highly skilled developers beyond a metropolitan area is a significant advantage, particularly during the current tech talent shortage in the US and the ongoing demand for proficient software engineers. This is especially crucial when searching for specialists with exceptional expertise. For instance, a company located in New York City may now hire a specialized coder in Bogota, Colombia, and the rest of the team in NYC would have no difficulty communicating with the new recruit due to the global nature of contemporary business.
Flexibility in the Long Run
The idea of Lean, which was formerly specific to the computer industry, has become widely accepted in recent years and is now adopted by organizations of various sizes. Managers from all sectors have come to recognize the significance of integrating a Lean approach into their business procedures to remain flexible and adaptable to shifts in the market. As a result, many businesses have chosen to keep their in-house teams lean and nimble, while using external knowledge from freelance professionals as required. These tactics have enabled companies to optimize their resources and attain favorable outcomes.
Staff augmentation provides businesses with an economical way to obtain the essential long-term flexibility to undertake new projects. It allows managers to hire skilled professionals on a contractual basis, so they can leverage their knowledge without making a long-term commitment or incurring high expenses. This ensures that businesses have the resources and agility to embark on the next major project, while also minimizing staffing expenses.
Cons
Managerial Responsibilities
In contrast to other software outsourcing models, such as autonomous delivery teams, staff augmentation necessitates considerably more project management work. This is owing to the requirement for on-site managers to supervise the daily tasks of their in-house employees and remote augmented staff. This is why services like autonomous delivery teams are favored by managers who do not wish to be involved in project management.
