Software Sweatshop

Jon Graham shared the following outsourcing advice for newbies... 

"The outsourcing movement has just reached puberty and will be maturing over the next few years. In the past, it was thought that only large organizations could afford to outsource, but that is not the case any longer. The small to mid size companies are getting into the game as well. However, for the outsourcing newbie's out there that want to take the plunge, there are a few things to consider in order to ensure success."

Whether you're looking at India, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, China, Brazil, Montana, or the Philippines, outsourcing isn't easy. Here's a list of tough questions you need to ask:

1. Process: How am I going to manage the work that I am going to outsource? What processes and procedures do I need to have in place? How often do I want updates? What level of information do I need? What delivery model am I comfortable with?

2. Tools: What tools can best help me manage the process I've defined. Do traditional individual tools work; mpps, word docs, emails, spreadsheets? How can I get real time project updates about vital project statistics/metrics? Is there single web-based, software development management (SDM) system?

3. Vendor Selection: What type of experience/skills/corporate culture does my service provider need to possess in order for us to be successful together? Is this a one project stand or is there potential for a long term engagement? What types of work has this vendor done in the past. Interview them as you would a potential employee.