category: Bespoke Software Development, English
In my last post I talked about key elements that comprise an RFP. In this one I would like to drill down a little more to look at what the criteria section might include. To write both the criteria and also the requirements parts, you should consider not only what makes a good outsourcer but also what you need to make your project a success.
Since establishing Future Processing over 10 years ago, I have responded to countless requests for proposal – some better written than others. But what I have found is that often companies worry about their RFPs and many ask for feedback.
At the end of every year I always spend some time considering what my aims were at the beginning of the year, both professionally and personally, and to what degree I have achieved them. In doing this I tend to make a list of the highs and lows of the year and how they came about.
Software development outsourcers will generally take work from anywhere, provided they have the skills to do it. However, I think that this isn’t always the best approach. One common complaint from outsourcers is that they are just used as an overflow body shop and their skills and consultancy aren’t really valued.
Every software development team has an issue or task tracking system in place. While on the face of it this sounds like a very positive thing, it can actually be the source of project delays and other problems. Offshore development and in-house teams each have their own tracking tools that they understand and are comfortable with.
My last post was about ensuring quality in the short term. This one is about achieving long-term quality in offshore development. At Future Processing we have the maxim, “Quality Always Makes Sense” displayed on the wall because I believe it should be fundamental to software development.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about quality. Since then I’ve received quite a few emails on the topic. It seems that many companies offshoring software development are struggling with the quality- scope trade-off. This is a hot issue for outsourcers too.
Yesterday: a rather frustrating meeting with a potential customer. He has made the decision to near-shore an application development project. However what he is looking for is to have some of the development team on site for the duration of the project.
At a seminar I attended last week, I got talking to Tomas, the managing director of another software development outsourcer.