The podcast of the Software Development Forum SEM SIG panel discussion I moderated last week on Outsourcing Horror Stories is now available here:
http://accelerance.typepad.com/runtime/2006/10/podcast_of_sdfo.html
The event was a fascinating look at the slimy underbelly of outsourcing gone wrong from several software executives that lived to tell about it.
But don’t you hate panel discussions where the panelists (and the moderator!) drone on and on leaving no time for questions from the audience? That can be a real snoozer.
But not so here. I made a few introductory remarks and limited the initial comments by the panelists to just a few minutes each. The audience immediately responded with questions and we went on from there with a terrific discussion.
Here are a couple of outsourcing horror stories that we discussed:
FROM THE AUDIENCE: How can I find a vendor with the technical skills I need?
I couldn’t find a vendor experienced with Lotus Notes. One vendor said they had done projects with Lotus Notes but then we discovered that the engineers with Lotus experience had left the vendor. I was desperate!
FROM THE PANEL: We had a VERY expensive vendor from Madison Ave in New York City. They had a lot of experience creating fancy websites for small companies. But it took us several months to realize they could not handle developing our web application, especially after some of their key people left the company. We wasted a year and many thousands of dollars before switching to a vendor in India that is getting the job done for much less money.
Another horror story came in an email, received in response to the last issue of Runtime. A company that wired 25% of the project fee to a vendor that promised to finish in 3 weeks. After 6 weeks they got no results, canceled the project and are now trying to get their money back.
Yikes! Buyer beware...!
But outsourcing is not just about horror stories. You should be able to use reliable low-cost offshore outsourcing as an enabler of your dreams. You should have a bigger vision, looking beyond the risks to new and exciting possibilities.
You should use outsourcing to change the world in a way that delivers value to your customers and profits for your shareholders and yourself.
As I said, when I moderate events like this I like to get the audience involved from the start. The information flow needs to be bidirectional and not a lecture from the panelists and moderator. I want to hear your questions and concerns.
In that same spirit, I now have some questions for you. You can answer these questions on this special web page: http://www.Accelerance.com/OutsourcingHelpSurvey.htm
First, what is your biggest challenge with using offshore outsourcing for the development of your software?
Second, what kind of help do you need with outsourcing? Here are 7 possibilities. You can vote for all the ones that fit your situation on the web page:
- I need help finding an offshore partner for software development.
- I need help to create my own offshore operation or subsidiary.
- I can develop my own software – I want help testing it offshore.
- I need help describing my software so it gets developed correctly offshore.
- I need help with managing the entire offshore software development process including vendor selection, specifications, day-to-day management and quality assurance.
- Software is only one thing I outsource – I want help with outsourcing other business processes too, like accounting, customer support, data entry, etc.
- I don’t want consulting services - I just want information about offshore outsourcing and the software development process so I can explore outsourcing myself or with my own internal team.
Vote using the special web page now -- it will only take a few seconds.
To encourage your response, I am offering to send you an autographed copy of my book Software without Borders at a hefty 40% discount off the normal price. I will send you your copy immediately if you decide to order.
But you don’t have to buy the book. Go to the web page and cast your votes. It won’t cost you a penny and takes just a few seconds. And your vote will be included in results reported in the next issue of Runtime.
Software without Borders is also available on Amazon.com. This book is a rich source of the objective outsourcing advice you need to avoid outsourcing horrors and to make your software outsourcing a success. See http://www.SoftwareWithoutBordersBook.com to learn more about the book.
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The Runtime Bottom Line: Where do you stand compared to others in outsourcing your software development? Cast your vote on the web page and contribute to this study. You’ll see the results in a couple of weeks. And get a great discount on an autographed copy of my book in the bargain.
Until next time,
Steve Mezak
Accelerance, Inc.
Risk-Free Outsourcing
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