I work for a company that has begun outsourcing its code writing. The biggest issue I see is the misunderstanding regarding the actual savings generated by offshoring.
The decision makers (at many, not all) companies, don't consider the many indirect costs created by outsourcing.
1. Lost productivity based on time difference. They're working while we're sleeping and vice versa.
2. Assuming you can just send instructions to someone and have them write the appropriate code. Try writing down the instructions on how to make a PB&J sandwich. Then have someone do exactly what you wrote down, no interpretation allowed, see how it turns out. It has been our experience that the developers we've used will write exactly what you ask for, it's the same problem we IT people have when business users give us requirements.
3. Post development support. Who knows the code so it can be supported when something goes wrong or needs to be changed?
Back to the reason this post is out here:
Government agencies
should be making decisions that make long term sense for their constituents. Outsourcing
may save the money short term, but the long term implications are tremendous.
Private agencies will and should make their own decisions on what makes the most sense for their organization. Outsourcing may help them grow initially, but again, what will the long term impact be when no locals can support the company?
I'm not suggesting outsourcing is good or bad, I just think people need to look at the global and long term picture before outsourcing just because it's cheaper right now.
Pain is stress leaving the body.
DoubleD
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