Choosing The Right Software Development Outsourcing Model for Your Business
Though there are many factors to consider when choosing a software outsourcing model, three factors, in particular, stand out:
- The level of flexibility you require
- How much in-house expertise do you have available?
- How much time your in-house Project Manager / Product Owner can dedicate to the project
To Choose an Outsourcing Path, Ask Yourself These Questions…
What is your primary business need or objective? Start by identifying the central problem you need to solve. Different problems are fit for different models.
How much flexibility do you require, and in what areas? Outsourcing models provide varying levels of flexibility in various areas (e.g., scalability, budgeting, access to expertise, and timing).
Do you have in-house expertise in the area covered by the project? If you do, staff augmentation or a managed team may be the right choice. If you don’t, project-based outsourcing may be a better fit.
How much time do you have to devote to the outsourcing relationship? Staff augmentation models require the most attention, managed teams a medium amount, and project-based the least.
How much control do you want to retain? For full control (and management responsibility), staff augmentation may be the best fit. For a high level of decision-making control without the burden of day-to-day management, consider a managed team. Finally, if you’re comfortable giving up control beyond ensuring that the outsourced team delivers according to your specifications, consider project-based outsourcing.
What is the project’s priority level? A managed team may be a good choice for offloading your lower-priority project. For a high-priority project, consider a managed team or staff augmentation approach.
An Easy Place to Start: Staff Augmentation Outsourcing
If you’re thinking about using outsourcing in your business but still don’t know where to start, we recommend exploring a staff augmentation engagement.
The relatively low level of commitment (as mentioned above, you can get started with just one resource!) makes it the perfect way to dip your toes in the water without taking on significant risk. There’s no need to have cold feet!
Many of CoreTeams clients began with staff augmentation engagements (almost 10 years ago for some!). Many of them have since expanded their development partnerships with us to include large and small software development projects using managed teams and/or project-based engagements.
