These are the 7 Problems You Need to Solve Before Offshoring Software Development

The United States presents significant challenges in software development. There is currently a shortage of software developers. This means that it’s not likely you will be able to find the right team to finish your project.

You are probably also dealing with rising costs for onshore software development.

There is also the promise of low code and no-code development.

What about offshoring?

Offshoring is the process of outsourcing your software development work to people in other countries. This can help you save money and get started faster, among other benefits. Before you decide to try this method, it is important to first understand the problems and solutions.

Potential Offshoring Issues

These are the most common issues that offshoring can cause and you will need to solve them.

1. The Language Barrier. This is an obvious problem people overlook. You won’t be able to create software for your company if none of your software developers can speak English. For most businesses, this means that you will need to find a country with a reputation for speaking English well. However, it can also increase the cost of hiring software developers. The Netherlands, for example, is the most English-speaking country in the world. However, you won’t be able to save much money by outsourcing there. You can find the right balance between a country that speaks English well and a country that is within your budget.
2. Time Zone and Scheduling Discrepancies. Timezones and scheduling can also cause problems. Your software developers working in different parts of the world will be 12 hours from you. This can make it difficult, or impossible, to maintain a dialogue with them during the day. Many offshoring destinations employ workers who are used to American work hours. You can compromise by allocating certain hours during the day to both foreign and domestic team members if you are unable to find one.
3. Salary and Wages. Offshoring software development can help you save money on your salary and your wages. However, you will also face new challenges. Do you know how to exchange your currency with theirs? Are you able to make payments in their currency? Do you have to clear any legal or financial hurdles to pay them? You have many technological options to overcome this obstacle, including banks that are experts in offshore assistance.
4. Code Quality. The next step is to consider code quality. Many people associate offshoring with having lower quality code. This could be due to a lack of education, different work cultures, or other factors that can hinder efficiency. This potential problem can be avoided by researching every company and every developer that you meet when searching for an offshoring partner. You can find examples of past coding and assess its quality.
5. Cultural Barriers. What’s the best way to manage a team that’s more relaxed and easygoing if you’re used to people who are active, ambitious, and driven? How can you get back from a social faux pas you made without realizing it? Cultural dissonance can lead to many problems. It is possible to overcome it with some research, mutual understanding, and the willingness to compromise.
6. Regulations and Laws. Different countries have different employment regulations. While some laws are very strict and others more flexible, almost all employment laws contain hidden complications that can make life difficult for those who aren’t prepared.
7. Competition. The best countries for offshore work have become so popular that there is a new problem. As more people flock to hot destinations, they become more expensive and less accessible. You need to stay ahead of the curve.

The High Points

I have discussed several ways you can reduce or eliminate potential problems with offshoring. These problems, and many others, can be solved by following a few high-level guidelines:

• Remain Open. Keep your eyes open, especially during the initial stages of your search. This means being open-minded, researching different options, shopping around, and being open to learning about other organizational cultures and work approaches. You will have more opportunities to successfully outsource your software development.
• Do Your Research. Don’t rely on your gut instincts. Be skeptical of your first experience. Objective research is essential to back up your decisions and support your ideas. You should quantify as much information as possible, consider multiple sources, and challenge your assumptions by proving yourself wrong. You will be glad you did.
• Trust The Experts. You can listen to their advice and feedback if there are people in your team that are more familiar with the principles of software development. This decision is not yours alone.

While outsourcing software development may not be the best move for every company, it might be the right thing to do if you are looking for high-quality software at a lower cost than hiring locally. These are the key issues to keep in mind. Before you move forward, make sure that you have a plan.