offshore software development

offshore software development

1. advantages

   • lower cost
   • greater productivity
   • quick turnaround
   • Indian workers
     • better attitudes
     • patient
     • flexible
     • available
     • can be innovative
     • good learners
     • good at following directions
   • ability to assemble team with variety of skills
   • low hiring risk

2. offshore location

   • setting up captive office
     • challenges
       • more expensive for foreigners
       • rental agreements difficult
         • owners do not trust tenants
         • no central listings
       • difficult to trust managers
       • takes longer to do anything
       • people make promises but do not come through
       • official forms filled out multiple times
       • bribery
   • hiring
     • challenges
       • assessing applicants
         • dishonesty
       • responses
         • use trusted networks
         • use recommendations
         • employment tests
         • interview carefully
         • no less than 2 years experience
       • applicants deficient in necessary skills
   • infrastructure
     • challenges
       • internet connections unreliable
       • power unreliable
       • responses
         • multiple internet providers
         • power backups

3. developing software

   • challenges
     • communication
       • English not the same
       • misunderstanding in written communication
       • misspelling
       • clarifications add time
       • problems with changing requirements
       • nonverbal communication is different
       • different accents
       • unfamiliar phrases
       • afraid to ask questions
       • no yes or no - all gray
     • problem solving
       • programmers have difficult time searching for answers
       • afraid to ask for help
     • lack of domain knowledge
     • high turnover
       • money
       • sometimes pay to work
       • marriage
       • motivation
     • employees expect large raises
     • client does not know what need
     • no product owner
     • graphic design does not work well
     • client does not explain well
     • programmers do not see user's perspective
     • lack of attention to detail
       • affects testing
     • security
   • responses
     • technical manager
     • divide project into small roles and responsibilities
     • train to be creative problem-solvers
     • company culture can help retain employees
     • interaction between client and vendor
       • frequent
       • written and verbal
     • cultural education/ training
     • vendor representative on-site
       • understands developers' culture
       • respect both ways
     • more management
     • better documentation
       • can substitute for domain knowledge
     • incremental testing

4. time zones

   • challenges
     • scheduling meetings
     • testing takes more time
     • night support
   • responses
     • usually Indian team flexes
   • can be beneficial
     • communicate requirements and have solution in one day

5. political challenges

   • fear of losing local jobs
   • territorialism within organization