Whether you provide in-house software development services or outsource your software project offshore, having a project manager onsite with your company is an essential element to a successful project.

Depending on the project, it may also be beneficial to have other onsite resources like a business analyst. In addition to this, your vendor should provide a separate project manager and business analyst who will manage your project at their development site.

The Sequence of Communication for Outsourcing Custom Software Development Successfully

The sequence of communication, if you’re seeking to outsource software development projects, should look something like this. Your exclusive point of contact as a client will be the onsite project manager. The onsite PM is accountable for the entire project from beginning to end.

Specifically, the onsite PM is there with you to understand your needs and the goals/methods of your business. In turn, this PM will manage and collaborate with the offsite PM and BA. 

The offsite team is responsible for translating your needs into a design. Their job is to develop the functional requirements of the software system. They take the onsite PM’s directives and create the actual solution.

Naturally, the communication link between the onsite project manager and the offsite team is critical. So you will want a team that has worked together before. Everyone must be on the same page in terms of methodology.

Furthermore, the project managers and business analysts on both sides should work closely throughout the project. Meaning, they should have constant contact to ensure that all questions are answered quickly and any issues are resolved immediately.

Depending on the complexity and size of the project, there will be some variation in this process. Generally speaking, though, the model outlined here should be the guideline foundation for any project.

Outsource Software Development for Larger Projects

With larger projects, it may be beneficial to bring the offsite managers onsite at some point. This could happen at the beginning of a project or even during the middle. It just depends on the individual case. 

However, the ultimate goal is to achieve accurate and effective communication between the client, the lead project manager, and the rest of the offsite managers/team. Sometimes, face-to-face time is the best way to accomplish this. 

Otherwise, for projects that aren’t overly complex, having a good project manager onsite who can effectively communicate with the outsource software development team should be adequate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having a project manager onsite with your company is an essential element to a successful software development project, regardless of whether you provide in-house software development services or outsource your software project offshore. 

It may also be beneficial to have other onsite resources, like a business analyst, depending on the project. In addition to this, your vendor should provide a separate project manager and business analyst who will manage your project at their development site.

By having onsite resources, you can ensure that your project stays on track, that your needs are communicated effectively, and that any challenges are resolved quickly and efficiently. This will ultimately lead to a successful project outcome and a high-quality software product.

If you are considering outsourcing custom software development services for your project, choose a vendor with a dedicated project manager and business analyst who will be onsite with your company. This will help to ensure that your project is successful and that you are satisfied with the final product. You can reach out to us for a  free consultation.