Contributor: Sawda Alvi, Nascenia
If you are convinced of the benefits of outsourcing, but are unsure of what to do next, this article gives a brief overview of the approach that can be taken to start the process.
STEP 1: LIST AND DEFINE YOUR APP REQUIREMENTS
It is necessary to have a clear idea of the functionalities and design that is expected from the app. If the requirements are unclear, it will stall the developer and render them idle, thus wasting valuable time and falling short of deadlines. If there is already a list of requirements and mockups, it’ll be easier to convey expectations to the developer, and, in return, watch the vision come to life.
STEP 2: PARTNER WITH THE RIGHT DEVELOPMENT TEAM
The outsourcing experience depends largely on the dynamics of the team partnered with. It is advisable to have the following factors in mind when choosing the team.
Choose a Professional Team
The risks of hiring remote freelancers are greater. An individual freelancer may lack the expertise to cater to changing requirements of the project. They may even fall ill causing the project to be halted. A professional team can handle these risks as they work together to come up with solutions, and are diversified in their skills.
Look for Credentials
If the remote team has significant marketing efforts involved in building a brand, it means that they have more to lose if they cannot deliver. For example, Nascenia has its own website and blog, and manages accounts across several social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Look for Experience in Relevant Field
If the company has previous experience in making a similar application, taking a look at their previous work will give an idea about the quality you can expect. Also, the project is more likely to be successfully executed as they have already faced similar issues and solved it.
Emphasis on Communication
Even with all the technical expertise, a project may not be successful in terms of client satisfaction if the development team fails to interpret requirements correctly. This may happen in the case of Waterfall Method, which is why Nascenia believes in Agile Software Development. Choose a development team that will take extra effort to keep you updated at every milestone, and, preferably, employs a project manager.
STEP 3: ESTABLISH A BREAKDOWN OF THE PROJECT TIMELINE
A good practice is to ask for a timeline right at the beginning so that the remote team can set targets and work accordingly, and the client is aware of what is being worked on at the moment. Setting milestones within the timeline will act as a check where the client can review what has been achieved so far and ask for necessary changes. Thus, the team can adjust to the client’s requirements.
STEP 4: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE JOINT EFFORT
It isn’t just about the technical expertise, a remote development team that has worked on diverse projects has a lot more to offer. They can give valuable insight regarding trends in user interface and functions if involved in the design discussions. Make the best use of their knowledge, their nitbits may add an extra edge to your app.
Following these steps can help you outsource your software development to the right team, and result in a successful and satisfactory project completion.
