Offshore software developers are often perceived as expensive, hard to manage, and risky. However, this is not the case for all scenarios. Many organizations have found successful ways to work with offshore software development vendors. Offshore software development can be a win-win for both parties in terms of cost and quality if done correctly. It is important to understand that every project has its own set of needs and circumstances, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to offshore software development. This article covers everything you need to know about nearshore agile software development — an approach that helps you find the right balance between onshore and offsite operations while staying focused on your core business strategy.
What is Nearshore Software Development?
Nearshore software development is an implementation of offshore software development. This implementation is also called nearshoring — a strategy that lets organizations reduce costs and increase profits by choosing to outsource to a software development partner that is nearby, rather than one that is far away. Nearshoring retains many of the benefits of offshore outsourcing, such as having access to a large talent pool and reduced costs due to the difference in wages between the two locations. It also has some different benefits and challenges, depending on where the team is located. Nearshore strategies are used when the distance between your organization and the offshore team is not too great. Typically, nearshore models are applied when team members are within a few hours’ time zone difference.
Why use Nearshore Strategies for your Software Development Project?
- Focus on your core business strategy
- Let go of the strict schedule- Increase focus on quality
- Reduce management overhead
- Reduce risk of team attrition
- Reduce the need for communication with the vendor
- Reduce the amount of travel
Nearshore software development is a good fit for organizations that want to focus on their core business strategy while outsourcing the majority of their software development project. Nearshore projects are less rigid than their offshore counterparts. They are slower-paced, less intense, and operate within a looser schedule. This is due to the fact that nearshoring is within a similar time zone, whereas offshore outsourcing is crossed time zones. Nearshore models also provide more flexibility in staffing, decision-making style, and the use of tools.
Organizational Strategies in Nearshore Agile Software Development
Let go of the strict schedule.
One of the biggest challenges with offshore software development is maintaining a strict schedule. The onshore team needs to be very disciplined in its expectations of the project team, but that’s very difficult when the team members are in a different time zone. Nearshore software development allows you to let go of this strictness. The project team and the vendor team members are in the same time zone, so communication and decision-making are much easier.
Increasing focus on quality.
Focus on quality is crucial for any project, but it’s even more important when working with an offshore vendor. Onshore vendors are much easier to control and monitor. You have the ability to visit their offices, talk to team members, and see how things are progressing. When working with an offshore vendor, you don’t have this luxury. Nearshore software development gives you the opportunity to increase focus on quality. With the vendor in the same time zone, you have the ability to meet with team members and visit their offices whenever you want. You can also have one-on-one meetings with the project manager.
Reduce management overhead.
Managing an offshore project is much more difficult than managing an onshore project. You have to find ways to minimize the communication overhead, ensure timely decisions, and resolve any issues before they become major roadblocks. Nearshore software development can help you reduce management overhead by making the process much easier. The vendor is in the same time zone, so communication is faster and more effective. You can visit the team members whenever you want and get a feel for how things are progressing.
Reduce risk of team attrition.
Long project cycles and high-pressure timelines are typical in offshore projects. With offshore software development, you never know when the team members might need to take time off, or if they will even stick around after the project is over. Nearshore software development gives you the opportunity to reduce the risk of team attrition. The vendor is in the same time zone, so you don’t have to worry about team members taking long vacations. You also have the ability to have one-on-one meetings with the project manager, so you can understand his or her priorities and goals. Nearshore models are typically slower-paced, less intense, and operate within a looser timeline. This gives you a better opportunity to find the right kind of people for your project.
Reduce the need for communication with the vendor.
Communication is critical to any software project, but it’s even more important when working with an offshore vendor. You have to be careful not to over-communicate, but you also have to make sure you don’t fall behind. Nearshore software development will help you get the right balance between communication and non-communication. The vendor is in the same time zone, so you don’t need to be as careful about over-communicating. But you still need to keep communication flowing in the right direction. Nearshore models are typically slower-paced, less intense, and operate within a looser timeline. This gives you a better opportunity to find the right kind of people for your project.
Reduce the amount of travel.
Software development projects are a lot of work and require a significant amount of travel. When working with an offshore vendor, you need to visit the team members and see the work they’ve done. You also need to bring people to your office to see what you’re working on. Nearshore software development gives you the opportunity to reduce the amount of travel. The vendor is in the same time zone, so you don’t have to travel as much. You also have the ability to meet with the team members whenever you want — as opposed to when you have an offshore project.
Final Words
Nearshore strategies provide many benefits and advantages when compared to offshore strategies. However, it’s important to understand that every project has its own set of needs and circumstances, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to outsourcing. The best way to find out if nearshore strategies are right for your organization is to understand the benefits, identify the right vendor, apply the right organizational strategies, and follow a successful onboarding process.
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Bydrec Can Help
Bydrec is a nearshore software development company that provides expert, bilingual software engineers to clients for their outsourcing needs. We have professionals with the skills and experience to help you succeed with your design, software development, and other tech needs. If your organization is looking to innovate or enhance its software development projects, Bydrec is ready for you. Contact Bydrec by calling (866) 219-7733 or emailing info@bydrec.com for nearshore software outsourcing you can trust.
