Best Practices for Nearshore Software Development
Nearshore, like offshore, is an outsourcing model. The difference is that while offshore projects can be located anywhere, and are often very far away; nearshore partners are usually in a similar time zone to the main company’s headquarters. We take a look at how to make nearshore software development work well.
What is nearshore software development?
Outsourcing software development activities can be a great solution for companies who need extra help. It can give them access to a wider talent pool, help them work within their budget, and scale the project with minimal disruption.
However, many businesses find themselves turning to very local or very distant talent when it comes to IT recruitment. The latter is known as offshore software development. This can be cost-effective but can also bring difficulties when it comes to long-distance collaboration. Meanwhile, staying too local can limit your options.
This is where nearshoring comes in. Nearshore software development splits the difference, taking place in a country or region near to your company’s main offices. So, how can you make nearshore work to your advantage?
1. Make sure you work with a nearshore company
It is easy to think that remote working is simply remote working; that if you are not physically in the same place then all other options are equal. While it is very possible to make offshore teams work to your advantage, there are many benefits of bringing your team a little closer to home.
As the distance increases, so does the time difference. Working with a company nearby means more chances that your working hours will overlap, which helps with communication. It is also easier to supervise projects and build trust between companies when you are available at similar times. This is something to bear in mind during IT recruitment.
Likewise, you may find that a nearshore company speaks your language fluently, and it is certainly easier to travel between the two locations when they are close by, if necessary.
2. Create a detailed scope of work at the start
Scope of work (SOW) is there to help everybody know what a project does and does not cover. This means there is less guesswork involved, which can lead to errors and misunderstandings even when your outsourced tech talent has the skills for the job.
In this way, the scope of work acts like the foundation of the project, detailing deliverables, milestones, and other information you think might be useful. Anyone involved can then refer back to the scope of work as needed to help them stay on track.
A good, comprehensive scope of work will be specific, so if there is any disagreement about what should be delivered the scope of work has the answers. Of course, projects change and so a scope of work may need amending as things develop.
3. Ensure your timelines are realistic
The ideal timeline is not always the most realistic timeline. Setting short deadlines without leniency can have a negative impact on the entire project. As task management platform Asana explains, it is important to list all that there is to do and then work out how long each step will take. But creating a timeline does not stop there.
Mapping out the dependencies can help create a more realistic timeline. This means listing which tasks depend on each other and which tasks can be done simultaneously. So, if one step in the process runs late, you will know what else is going to be affected.
4. Create a quality assurance plan
It is difficult to know whether you and your outsourced tech team are on the same page without a quality assurance plan. The aim of a quality assurance plan is to keep the software at a certain standard throughout all stages of production and delivery.
This means identifying objectives, techniques, and methodologies that are within the project’s scope and resources.
5. Ensure there is communication between your team members
Establishing what you expect in terms of communication can help a project run smoothly. This should be done at the start of the project. You might discuss how regularly you will stay in touch and which communication platforms you will use for which types of communication.
Working with nearshore software developers means that your team is never too far away. But actively making an effort to communicate well will contribute to the success of your software development project.
Outsourcing IT recruitment
Finding the right tech team members can seem daunting. Your knowledge and contacts do not go deep enough to find the right candidate, meanwhile many recruiters do not have the tech knowledge to understand what you are looking for, resulting in unsuitable candidates either way.
Outsourcing IT recruitment to specialist tech agencies means you can work with people who understand what you need. At InspireIT, we have access to a large talent pool and take the time to meet with you to understand your needs and interview candidates to make sure they are a great fit.
To find out more about how we can help, please get in touch at info@inspirit.com.tr or visit our service pages.
