In the fierce battles for markets of the modern business world, a global talent pool is among the prerequisites for long-term growth and innovation. Offshore software development teams provide compelling benefits: huge cost reduction, unrivaled flexibility, and access to highly specialized expertise that may hardly be available within your local market.
To be able to exploit this potential of cooperation with offshore software developers, a well-defined strategy should be in place. It is not only about outsourcing tasks; success depends on proactive leadership supported by a meticulous approach to managing offshore software teams. Here’s how to improve software team offshoring and outsourcing practices.
1. The Success Mindset: It’s Not Us vs. Them
One of the most crucial best practices is to see your offshore development team as an extension of your in-house resources, not as some separate entity.
To elaborate, this paradigm shift is essential for reaping the full benefits of offshoring. Here’s how you can build a unified mindset.
Communicate the ‘why’ behind your project and take all the arguments as a lesson for both sides. Help your offshore team understand their role in the bigger picture, not just the technical tasks assigned. Last but not least, align your teams from the beginning, this can help both of the teams to have the same perspective before starting the project. Furthermore, a small introduction from both teams can positively affect the process of the project (yes, even virtually).
1.2. Open a Communication Channel
An open communication channel can help the worker build a culture of asking questions and sharing information freely to dissolve any potential for a siloed mentality. The presence of open communication channels has a lot to do with the success of contemporary organizations in most aspects. Asking questions and sharing information freely, at the core of breaking down any possible siloed mentality in the workplace, are best positioned and suited to be established by workers. Some of the main aspects and strategies for establishing good communication channels are discussed below.
- Utilize Multiple Communication Tools: Only depending on a single communication can limit the flow of information. They are implementing a variety of communication ways like instant messaging platforms, project management software, etc.
- Regular Updates and Check-Ins: Updates and Check-Ins are one of the most essential skills when it comes to offshoring. The members and leaders should be encouraged to have short weekly meetings where team members share what they are working on, any obstacles they are facing, and their plans for the day.
- Establish Clear Protocols: Using protocols and rules can benefit both teams while working together, especially with different work cultures. This can be performed in different ways, for example, by defining channels, and specifying which tools and channels should be used for different types of communication. Especially for the software team as defining the particular source-code editor, when to push and commit, or which part of the team is responsible for.
- Regular Feedback: Encouraging both team members to give feedback can comment in a friendly way can help the process of work be more manageable. This can be implemented when the team reaches their small pin-point process. Giving each other information in improvement and offering help (if possible) can make a big difference in the work ethic of both teams
1.3. Cultural exchange
Cultural exchange is a critical component in creating strong, cohesive teams, especially in a diverse workplace. Through encouraging cultural engagement, it helps team members understand and appreciate each other’s backgrounds, work styles, and perspectives.
This understanding fosters a more inclusive and safe space at work. By that, creating opportunities for tea members to interact informally can help break down the barriers in general. For example, setting up casual virtual meetings where team members can chat about non-work topics regularly. By that, the members can have a ‘reason’ to socialize with the people that they have been working with.
1.4. Contribution is for all
This makes sure that every member feels his or her contribution is necessary and important to the establishment of an integrating and cooperative atmosphere. When everyone believes in the importance of their input, he feels ownership, accountability, and motivation.
Actively seek input from all team members, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute their ideas and perspectives. This can be done by rotating meeting roles such as facilitator, note-taker, and timekeeper. Through these, it gives everyone a chance to lead and participate actively. Moreover, using tools or suggestion boxes that allow team members to contribute ideas anonymously, can help those who may be hesitant to speak up.
2. Documentation is Your Secret Weapon
Thorough documentation is an important way to establish best practices. It serves as the instruction manual for your project.
- Project Requirements Outlined: Detailed specifications prevent misinterpretation, especially important when managing offshore developers
- Knowledge Base for Everyone: Centralize the information, knowledge in a shared repository to prevent information silos.
- Version Control: Managing chances effectively to ensure your team works with the most up-to-date version of your codebase. Along with frequent check-ins with the other team members, commit and push the work and discuss any barrier or ‘road blocker.’
3. Agile Methodologies
Agile project management methodologies like Scrum Chart or Pseudo Code are perfectly suited for offshore teams due to their adaptability and transparency. Management can be controlled through continuous feedback loops, regular sprints and iterative development to ensure alignment and quick course corrections. This also can count in the adaptability, it embraces change, benefiting projects with potential time zone delays or shifting requirements.
Agile projects are broken down into small sprints of 2-4 weeks, broken into parts where teams work on specific tasks or features. At the end of a sprint, feedback is collected and the next one is planned, thereby maintaining a flowing progression within the agenda of work. Teams do sprint reviews at the end of every sprint to show that work is completed, elicit feedback from stakeholders, and, thereafter, hold a retrospective meeting. The team discusses what went well, what did not, and how they can do better in the next sprint. Through such meetings, continuous improvement and problem-solving are assured.
4. Time zone awareness
In offshore software development, managing time zone differences is a critical factor for ensuring smooth collaboration and timely project delivery. Choosing effective time zone management can significantly enhance communication, coordination, and overall productivity within the team.
Finding overlapping work hours is essential for real-time collaboration between in-house and offshore teams. Despite a few hours overlap can make a huge impact on the efficiency of communication and the speed of decision-making.
While overlapping hours are ideal for real-time collaboration, asynchronous communication is equally important for maintaining productivity when team members are not online simultaneously. Because of this, maintaining clear and detailed documentation of project requirements, meeting notes, and task assignments. This ensures that everyone has access to the necessary information, regardless of their time zone.
5. Conclusion
Offshoring software development presents tremendous challenges but also opportunities for businesses seeking to innovate, cut costs, and access specialized talent. However, these benefits are not automatically guaranteed. To truly reap the rewards, it is essential to follow best practices for managing offshore teams. By emphasizing open communication, careful partner selection, methodical documentation, and agile methodologies, you position yourself for a smooth and successful collaboration.
At Kyanon Digital, we pride ourselves on being leaders in the outsourcing and offshoring industry. Our commitment to excellence and our deep understanding of the complexities involved in managing offshore software development teams set us apart from the competition.
Contact us to guide you through the complexities of offshoring, ensuring a smooth and successful collaboration that drives your business forward.
