Technologies are growing so rapidly that the whole world is becoming smaller every day. In this paradigm of rapid changes, technology is not only an accelerator but also a means of collaboration and approximation between countries and organisations. This proximity is promoting the adoption of a Nearshore Outsourcing Strategy, a delivery model through which we develop and manage IT-related work and projects from anywhere in the world. This nearshore model is being increasingly adopted by several organisations across the globe to answer the reality of today.
How can this delivery model be adopted effectively?
Setting up a remote software development team, ensuring a complete onboarding process, aligning work methodologies and workflows and establishing an effective communication flow are some of the steps in the IT outsourcing journey. In this article, we share 4 tips that will help you in the implementation of a Nearshore outsourcing project.
1. Integrate your software development teams and establish a close collaboration environment
A successful nearshore project starts when both teams – onsite and the nearshore team – are committed with this model and with active participation. Working with remote colleagues means constant and clear communication despite the challenges that might come with the fact that most of the communication is written, often using non-native language, and it is easy for ideas to get lost in translation.
So it is very important to join the team and work face-to-face at some key instances, not only in the onboarding phase but also once in a while. This will grant a sense of how they will fit into the internal culture and it also allows the team to feel integrated and get to know each other better, thus contributing to a more productive remote interaction.
The continued involvement of internal constituencies that are educated on the potential risks and rewards of the nearshore model is important.
2. Use agile methodology in project management
The start of a new project is one of the most important phases in the project lifecycle. When a project entails a remote team you should look for an experienced team to start that is capable of setting up processes adjusted to the remote context, particularly in project management, and that have a good understanding of the business needs. This team will work closely with the on-site counterpart to handle day-to-day operational issues, and this experience is key to do so.
3. Choose the right location and take advantages of favourable timezone
Keep in mind that using a Nearshore hub means selecting a location that is in the same or the nearest timezone. What is important is that even in a different timezone, on one hand, you get a large window for a comfortable communication allowing you to answer all possible questions regarding the project right away.
On the other hand, working with another country will probably provide you with more time and working days for your project. For instance, – 1-hour difference between you and the Nearshore team allows you to invest 1 hour more per day in the project or capacity to support the project during bank holidays.
4. Effective communication is the key on a nearshore outsourcing project
It is equally important to highlight that organizations often operate under informal processes, but for a successful remote model, communication is key, so you must assess what and how information flows throughout the internal project lifecycle, implementing and using mechanisms that will make sure the information reaches the entire team, while guaranteeing a secure communications channel and the use of collaboration tools such as chat, or intranet-based platforms.
Even with close and informal collaboration, it is important to track the configuration management activities, such as version control, backup, and recovery.
Finally regular status meetings in which team members review and resolve open issues are an essential part of the nearshore model. They enable clients to stay on top of the project status, and ensure the project delivery quality.
If you take into account the 4 steps above and with the help of the right nearshore partner, you will be able to extend your software development team, equip it with new technological skills and fulfill your project pipeline, enjoying all the benefits of a nearshore outsourcing project.
Find out more about our technological nearshore centre here or contact us directly so that we can help you build a successful software development nearshore team.
Mickael Marques – Nearshore Unit Manager