Software development outsourcing has become one of the popular methods businesses use to handle their IT projects. This strategy involves hiring third-party services to handle software developments while the companies take a certain degree of control over the processes.
Software development has become rampant in Africa and globally, and many businesses are already applying this strategy. However, there is always some difficulty for businesses that needs software development but have no background or foundation with this method.
There is a high demand for software developers in Africa, and according to research, close to 40% of developers work for companies outside the continent.
In this article, we will discuss why software development is essential and the challenges that companies have in outsourcing and getting resources for this aspect of their business.
Continue reading as we talk about all you need to know about outsourcing software development.
What does software development outsourcing mean?
Software development outsourcing is developing a software product or service by an external vendor. Typically, this means that an organization needs to outsource its software development activities to a third party. The outsourced company may provide services like outsourcing software testing and application development for you to run your business smoothly.
This method involves transferring or delegating specific business processes (such as software development) to another company or individual. It allows businesses with limited resources and capabilities to focus on their core competencies while benefiting from specialized expertise in other areas such as technology, finance, marketing, HR, etc.
Why Should I Outsource Software Development?
There are many reasons why a company would outsource software development. Some of the main reasons include the following:
1. Cost Reduction
Outsourcing software development is one of the main reasons why businesses outsource their software development needs. Most of the time, it’s cheaper to outsource than to hire employees or build an in-house team. This is because there are developers all over the world who have different work ethics and time zones that can help you save money on payroll costs as well as on other expenses such as office space and equipment maintenance.
2. Saving time
In many ways, outsourcing software development can save you time. For example, you won’t have to spend time learning how to code or managing a team of developers. Instead, you can focus on other aspects of your business and its growth.
For example:
- Outsourcing allows you to focus on your core competencies—the things that make it unique from competitors and bring in the most revenue for your business.
- It also allows customers to benefit from faster product development cycles to access new features sooner than ever.
3. Increase in Productivity
Sometimes, the cost of hiring software development services can be high. But, it is possible to increase productivity and reduce costs by choosing the right vendor.
Increasing your productivity is not just about using the right tools but also choosing them carefully to fit your needs and budget. Making a wrong choice in tools can have severe consequences for both time and money spent by your company while trying to keep up with the competition or falling behind due to low productivity levels.
4. Access to expertise and technical knowledge
There are two main benefits of software development outsourcing. The first one is access to expertise and technical knowledge. You can outsource your entire project to a dedicated team specialized in specific technologies. This way, your team will be able to focus on the core business logic of your application while you get its infrastructure set up with little effort from your side.
Another significant advantage of outsourcing software development projects is accessing industry-specific software development tools that would otherwise be unavailable if you were doing the work internally. Tools like Jira and Bitbucket provide great collaboration features that allow various members of your team (including developers) to work together on a single repo without any need for VPNs or other complex setups that are usually required when teams work remotely through email attachments alone.
5. Better risk management
Risk management is a process that must be used during software development. It helps you to identify and manage risks, resulting in the successful completion of a project.
Risk management is a tool or discipline to help you manage projects more effectively. Risk management is also a function of the project manager, but it is equally important for each team member to understand. The better you understand how to identify and manage project risks, the better you’ll handle any situation during development.
Problems Of Outsourcing Software Development In African Businesses
African businesses tend to have difficulty hiring software developers for various reasons. The lack of IT resources in companies is one of the significant challenges in African businesses. Also, African developers’ high tendency to work for other companies outside the continent results in another problem.
The global demand for developers in Africa has created a significant problem for local start-ups and businesses. That is because most developers prefer to work for international companies and earn higher salaries than they would in their home countries. This leads to the creation of a brain drain, where talented people move away from their home countries and take their skills with them. The lack of IT resources in African businesses is one of the significant challenges they face today.
Many start-ups have been forced to outsource their development work because they don’t have the resources to do it themselves. The problem is that this creates a vicious cycle where companies cannot grow because they’re not able to hire local developers, and there are no local developers because they work for foreign companies.
However, the talent of developers is relatively short. According to statistics, there are only about 700,000 developers in Africa. And even then, 50% of this number comes from Nigeria, Egypt, Morroco, Kenya, and South Africa.
Solutions To Challenges Of Outsourcing Software Development In Africa
The first step to solving the problem of outsourcing software development in Africa is for companies to recognize challenges and begin working toward solutions. -There are many ways to do this:
- Hire local developers or work with local agencies.
- Start an internship program or provide scholarships for developers to learn new skills.
- Build partnerships with universities or other organizations that can help train people in the latest technologies and programming languages.
What Should I Look For When Outsourcing Software Development?
When considering outsourcing software development, it is essential to look at a company’s track record and reputation. Also, ensure they can provide the right level of service and have the right skills to do the job. Here are some significant factors to consider when outsourcing software development;
1. Industry Experience
The company should have the experience required to complete your project. They should have a track record of successfully delivering projects in the same industry as yours and with similar requirements.
When outsourcing software development, selecting a company with experience in the industry you are working in is essential. For example, if you are building an app for kids, looking for an outsourcing partner with experience in the education sector is best.
2. Quality Assurance and Security
Ensuring that the company has adequate quality assurance and security measures is essential when outsourcing software development. Your partner takes measures to ensure that their deliverables meet the agreed-upon specifications. Security measures should be in place to protect against data or other security breaches during development.
3. Cost
Choosing a software development partner that offers competitive pricing is critical. However, it is essential to ensure that you are not sacrificing quality for the price. Look for a company that offers both high-quality services at an affordable price.
Conclusion
In summary, software development outsourcing is a great way to save time, money, and resources. However, the business owner must understand what they are getting into before they take the plunge. Businesses, especially in Africa, should also understand the demand for software developers and agencies, as this can help to build partnerships and grow their businesses.