How to outsource software developers?

[eddyyss]

Hi there,

We are a small software development company that delivers digital transformation for small to medium size businesses including startups.

I am wondering what is the best way to outsource our 'software developers'. Many 'big' companies outsource their team to other businesses.

Regards

 

[obscure]

We are a small software development company that delivers digital transformation ....

First step would be to come up with a meaningful description of the services you offer.

 

[MikeJ]

Maybe they're a nail bar?

 

[Alpha Helica Peptides]

There is a lot of ways of promoting your services by following it:

1. SEO
2. Google Ads
3. Contact to owners
4. Cold Calling
5. Create a Website and update eye-catchy portfolios

 

[thescalers]

If you want to outsource on a project-by-project basis then there's lots of third parties who can do that for you. You'll save on expenses in the immediate term, but you may even end up spending more since you'll more than likely need things redoing (projects are often rushed since you're only one of many companies the developer is working for). If you want to build a dedicated team abroad who act, essentially, in the same way as your developers in Britain (works only for you, commitment to your company ethos etc) then it makes sense to work with a partner with expertise in this area

 

[jo.ann]

I think that often people choose companies with good opinions. Now everyone checks online before making a purchase or choice. You must exist online to find yourself. A satisfied customer is the best advertisement.

 

[gpietersz]

Depends what you want to outsource, how much you want to outsource etc. Entire projects? What sort of work? What sort of software (desktop, mobile, web apps, SaaS.....).

I have both been a subcontractor and used subcontractors (I was checking the progress of one a few minutes ago). What makes it work (or not) are having the right people, good planning and management, and picking the right things to outsource.

 

[Solly]

Don't make the mistake of handing over a spec and expecting them to understand. You will need to spend a lot of time and energy explaining every detail and checking.

A lot of dodgy companies who will waste your time.

 

[gpietersz]

Don't make the mistake of handing over a spec and expecting them to understand. You will need to spend a lot of time and energy explaining every detail and checking.

To be fair badly drawn up specs are to blame at least as often as the developers. Its worse when dealing with SMEs, but not restricted to them (I have seen it on a million dollar customisation job, but that was dealing with spectacularly incompetent people on the customer's side).

If you expect people to work from a spec, make sure the spec is correct and comprehensive, which means you need to get it drawn up with someone with appropriate skills because someone without the right experience will not anticipate what might go wrong.

 

[thescalers]

Don't make the mistake of handing over a spec and expecting them to understand. You will need to spend a lot of time and energy explaining every detail and checking.

A lot of dodgy companies who will waste your time.

That's certainly a risk with outsourcing, but with offshoring it should (if done correctly) be an extension of your UK (for example) development team. There shouldn't really be a delineation at all between onshore and offshore in terms of how they're managed. Moreover, when it's done this way your offshore partner sources the candidates, but ultimately it's you who hires at the final stage — this ensures you know the devs have the skills you need, mitigating much of the requirement for checking etc.