If you want to build an application for mobile or PC with a limited time and budget, you should outsource app developers to complete your project. Outsourcing allows you to access a large team of skilled developers, often at a lower price.
Outsourcing is when a company hires an external party to perform tasks or create products that were previously done in-house, often to reduce costs. It has been a recognized business strategy since 1989 and gained prominence in the 1990s. Outsourcing can impact various job sectors, from customer support to manufacturing to back-office functions, and of course, in recent years, application development.
In this article, we’ll discuss application development outsourcing in more detail.
Why outsource app developers?
Outsourcing app development offers several advantages. It can reduce costs as it eliminates the need to hire and maintain an in-house team, including the expenses of recruitment, infrastructure, and benefits. Mobile application development outsourcing allows access to top talent without being limited to the immediate geographic area, enabling businesses to work with skilled developers from more cost-effective regions. The flexibility of scaling the development team up or down quickly as per business requirements is another benefit, avoiding the time-consuming process of hiring or laying off employees in an in-house team.
Outsourcing app development can speed up the time-to-market for the app. While building an in-house team may take several months, outsourcing allows a specialized provider to set up a team of experts in just weeks, accelerating the development process. Outsourcing providers often have well-defined processes and workflows honed through experience in multiple projects, ensuring efficient and high-quality development.
Access to top talent is another advantage of outsourcing, as IT companies often hire skilled specialists to meet the demands of their clients. Outsourcing allows businesses to tap into the expertise of vetted and experienced engineers who have successfully worked on various projects.
While outsourcing app development can offer cost savings, flexibility, faster time-to-market, efficient processes, and access to top talent, it is important to carefully select and manage the outsourcing partner to ensure a successful collaboration and achieve the desired results for the app development project.
How to outsource app development
There are a number of mobile app development outsourcing companies that can assist you with your projects, but there are a few steps to bear in mind.
Start by refining your requirements for the mobile app or project. To turn your business idea into a working solution, you need to clarify your business requirements, stakeholder requirements, and solution requirements. Business requirements include high-level statements of goals and needs, stakeholder requirements help determine expectations, and solution requirements describe the characteristics of the product that will meet business needs. Solution requirements are further categorized into functional requirements, which describe product behavior, and nonfunctional requirements, which describe software characteristics or quality attributes.
Select the type of outsourcing team, such as onshore, nearshore, or offshore. Onshore outsourcing refers to hiring a software development company in the same country or region as your business. Offshore outsourcing involves hiring a company in a different country with a time zone difference. Nearshore outsourcing refers to partnering with a company in a neighboring country that is geographically close to your business.
Once you’ve decided on the outsourcing type, create a shortlist of potential companies to work with. Make sure to review their portfolios carefully. If possible, speak to previous clients and ask for referrals. They’ll probably offer you a variety of options in terms of the service model, including project-based, dedicated teams, or outstaff working models. You’ll also have to choose a payment model that works for you, e.g.fixed price or time and material for dedicated teams or project-based models.
Bear in mind that there is no one size fits all model – speak openly and transparently to the outsourcing agency about your needs so that you can make adjustments and find a method and model that works for you.
How to organize the management of application development outsourcing in a proper way
Managing application development outsourcing requires careful planning and execution to ensure the project is completed successfully. Here are some steps to consider:
Define project requirements: Clearly define the project requirements, including scope, timeline, budget, and desired outcomes. This will help you identify the right outsourcing partner and communicate expectations effectively.
Select the correct outsourcing partner: Evaluate potential outsourcing partners based on their experience, expertise, communication skills, and cultural fit. Look for partners who have a track record of successful project delivery and positive client references.
Establish clear communication channels: Establish clear lines of communication and set expectations for how often you will communicate and how progress will be tracked. Use collaboration tools such as project management software and video conferencing to facilitate communication.
Define project milestones: Break the project down into smaller milestones with defined deliverables and timelines. It can help to track progress and identify any potential issues early on.
Monitor progress closely: Regularly review progress against milestones and adjust plans as needed.
Final Thoughts
It’s easier than ever to outsource app developers for your projects, especially once you know where to look and how to approach them. With the right agency in your corner, you can build an amazing app and find commercial success.
