| urcing your software development can save you time | | | | software product. But there is no specification. In this |
| and money if you know what you need. Too often US | | | | case Accelerance is acting as a virtual CTO, |
| companies attempt to outsource without a good | | | | responsible for the design, and development of the |
| understanding of what their software should do, and | | | | client's software. |
| this is the biggest cause of outsourcing failure. It is | | | | The client is essentially saying, "Design the software |
| unreasonable to expect your outsourcing team to | | | | for me, and I'll tell you if it matches what I am thinking." |
| have a menu of software, pre-prepared, so you can | | | | This can work because the cost of outsourcing is so |
| just select the items you want. | | | | low that rework and multiple design iterations are |
| Ever go to a restaurant with a picky eater? They tell | | | | affordable. |
| the waiter in excruciating detail how they want their | | | | This type of arrangement only works when paying on |
| food prepared. And heaven forbid that the food | | | | a Time and Materials basis. There is no way to offer |
| arrives different from what was requested! Back to | | | | fixed pricing because the end product is not defined. |
| the kitchen it goes to be "fixed" to make the picky | | | | Of course, not having a specification may not stop you |
| eater happy. | | | | from asking for a fixed price bid! In this case, you can |
| Sometimes US companies hire an outsourced partner | | | | outsource the creation of a specification that defines |
| as if they were going to a restaurant. They select the | | | | your software for a fixed price. Then the resulting |
| cuisine based on the flavor of the technology they | | | | complete design specification is used to create a |
| require. Chinese .NET or Indian Java? How about | | | | second fixed price bid for writing your software. |
| some Russian C++? Unfortunately there is rarely a | | | | Another factor comes into play when you pay a fixed |
| menu for the exact items you might like to order from | | | | price amount for a software design specification. You |
| an outsourced team. | | | | usually have to pay at least half up front. This is to |
| Are you approaching outsourcing your software like | | | | protect the outsourcing company from delivering a |
| you are walking into a restaurant? Are you expecting | | | | specification for creating the software and then not |
| the outsourcing team to advise you, like an attentive | | | | getting paid. |
| waiter, on the way your software should look, be | | | | Because software design often occurs at the |
| prepared and presented to your customers? | | | | beginning of a relationship, both parties seek to |
| Instead, bring your own recipe when you start work | | | | minimize their risk. You minimize your risk by selecting |
| with an outsourcing team. Unlike your dining | | | | an outsourcing team with a proven track record and |
| experiences, you cannot ask for the daily special. You | | | | great references. The outsourcing team reduces their |
| have to provide a specific description of what you | | | | risk by getting partial (sometimes full) payment before |
| would like to have, and how it should be prepared. | | | | starting. |
| Without such a recipe, your outsourced software | | | | There are multiple deliverables that should be produced |
| development efforts can be starved for success. | | | | during the design phase of creating your software, |
| Poorly specified software is often the result when | | | | whether you do it yourself, or outsource the design: |
| "subject matter experts" are involved. Subject matter | | | | * Marketing Requirements |
| experts, or SMEs, know a lot about a particular | | | | * Storyboard Demo |
| subject, like IC design, business process workflow, | | | | * Functional Specification |
| inventory management, etc., but very little about | | | | * Multiple Release Milestone Schedule |
| designing software. SMEs can struggle to get their | | | | * Detailed Task Schedule for First Release |
| ideas encoded in the software. They need to work | | | | * Detailed Design Specification (optional) |
| with someone that knows the best way to design and | | | | Unfortunately, software development has not |
| develop software. | | | | progressed to the point where ready-made modules |
| Sometimes, there is a fear of getting bogged down in | | | | are available to order and combined to create your |
| the details. Since some software executives are great | | | | software. There is not yet a menu of choices available |
| with people, they feel much more comfortable hiring a | | | | to anyone that is hungry for new software. Instead, |
| person to handle the details. They know how to | | | | you must provide your own recipe for what you need. |
| manage a person here, better than they can manage | | | | The good news is low cost outsourced software |
| an offshore team of programmers in a remote | | | | design and development resources are now available |
| offshore location. | | | | to create your custom software to meet your exact |
| One Accelerance client is in this situation. The CEO | | | | specifications. |
| wants to outsource the development of a new | | | | |