|
Businesses that would
like to outsource their software development and IT requirements
are faced with a number of concerns. Their biggest concerns
are the risks involved with respect to quality, on-time delivery
and return on investment. Disclosure of confidential information
and/or intellectual property to an outside party is also a
cause of concern for companies wishing to outsource. Overall,
the reluctance to outsource stems from a feeling of lack of
control that companies experience over that particular aspect
of the business. These concerns are further augmented when
the outsourcing partner or service provider is based offshore.
The following project management practices for offshore projects
are designed to minimize these risks and alleviate our
client’s concerns:
Confidentiality
Agreement
Before any disclosure
of information occurs at the start of a project, a Confidentiality
Agreement will be signed in order to safeguard any sensitive
information or intellectual property of the client.
Development
Coordinators
Both Fusion and
the client will appoint Development Coordinators to act as
the primary non-technical contacts between both parties. The
Development Coordinators will arrange all non-technical meetings/communications
between the parties and will be the primary point of contact
relating to the progress made with respect to the project.
All notices between the parties will be presented to the Development
Coordinators. All administrative matters relating to the project
will be communicated through the Development Coordinators.
Each Development Coordinator shall be responsible for communicating
within their respective organizations and procuring the input
of management for the achievement of project goals.
Technical
Coordinators
Both Fusion and
the client will appoint Technical Coordinators to act as primary
technical contacts between both parties. The Technical Coordinators
will communicate with each other on a regular periodic basis
regarding technical issues to assure the smooth progress of
the development process.
Development
Team
A team which meets
the requirements for the project will be created. If the client
wishes, they will be able to personally interview every member
of the team. Our aim is to ensure that the client is completely
satisfied with the engineers allocated to the project.
Administrative
Assistant
An administrative
assistant will be assigned to every project. This person will
be responsible for procurement of custom software and hardware
required for the project, keeping inventory of materials that
might have to be imported from the client, timesheets, invoicing
etc.
Deliverables
During
the software development life cycle, distinct phases will
be defined with specific deliverables for the client at the
conclusion of every phase. The next phase will be initiated
only when the client is satisfied with the deliverables and
both parties achieve sign-off. Read more about this process
in software development methodology.
|