Assume your company decides to outsource its software development. Now you’re wondering: Will outsourcing affect the quality? Simply put, the quality of your software depends on the provider you hire. When you choose the right provider, it shows.
In my 30-plus years of IT experience, I’ve seen many companies make the wrong software outsourcing choice. And I’ve watched this cost their software and companies dearly, including time, money, delays, glitches, security issues and other problems. As an example, almost three-quarters of mobile apps ship with as many as 10 bugs, according to the 2015 Mobile Development Survey of more than 500 software developers from Evans Data Corporation. Some estimates go as high as 50 bugs, calling into question some developers effectiveness in testing and quality assurance (QA). So making the right software outsourcing choice is vital.
I’ve found that when you work with a great developer, they not only adhere to standards to ensure quality, they focus on your overall objectives and intended results. Meaning the right team is more thoughtful in its approach versus quickly slapping code together. My recommendation: Never make a decision based on a quick Google search. And don’t simply choose the least expensive developer.
Quality From Experience, QA And Testing
If you decide to outsource, everyone must share the goal of creating high-quality software to grow your company. Ideally, the right vendor or developer will bring vast experience from working on software across different industries. As a recent post from Salesforce says, “Outsource partners can leverage their collective experience to help overcome otherwise difficult challenges. Because they often work with many companies on a variety of projects, outsource partners can quickly interject critical skills and expertise to any product or software development.”
Indeed, outsourced teams use their collective knowledge to solve problems and innovate. In fact, many software outsourcing companies hold regular meetings, where team members share information on what they’re working on – their development successes, challenges and creative solutions. They share these insights and cross-pollinate information that can benefit the quality of each developer’s work. One provider may have 50 to 60 different developers in a meeting, which means you inevitably get all of that experience applied to your software.
Tip: When you interview potential providers — whether that’s an individual developer or an outsourced team — ask them about their portfolio of work and their successes across different markets. Ask for references that can substantiate that work. Ask how they apply those experiences to creating software.
Also, when you’re evaluating your shortlist of outsourcing partners, make sure you evaluate their potential for success – in-person, if possible. Meet with the potential teams or individuals to better understand their strengths. Learn about their processes. Are they Agile? Are they focused on DevOps? Are they aware of the latest technologies and standards? Is security a priority? What procedures do they have in place to ensure business continuity? Are there safeguards, if a situation arises, to keep your software development on track? When you gain this insight, you’ll be better prepared to select the right partner that’s focused on quality and the success of your software.
In addition, ask potential partners about QA and testing. Will they use a variety of tests to confirm quality? Ensure they’re proficient in this area by discussing it early on. Common tests to ask about include: regression testing, static testing, dynamic testing, white- and black-box testing and visual testing. The key is to ensure your provider makes QA/testing a priority.
Source: Forbes- How To Successfully Outsource Software Development (Without Compromising Quality)