The literal definition of outsourcing is described as “when a company hires a foreign or local person or company to provide services that are usually or have previously been performed by their own team.”
And although outsourcing is a business practice that has been around for a while now, it is still not exactly commonplace for l companies to rely on this type of service, due to the negative stereotypes associated with it. Misconceptions such as having poor communication with the outsourcing partner, which in turn can lead to problems in a project. For instance, having a loss of management control, since part of your team might be in another country. While there are many other examples of misconceptions, these two summarize the main concerns of companies that are looking into the option of outsourcing their IT projects.
Inreality, the above scenario can all be avoided by having clear goals and structured work methodologies. At Elaniin we have come up with solid reasons why you should consider outsourcing your IT projects, moreover how to do it successfully.
One of the main reasons as to why you might start considering IT outsourcing, is if your IT operations are starting to lag and consume an excessive amount of resources and time, without creating expected deliverables.
Another reason might be if your company is starting to scale and grow at a fast pace, but your team doesn't have the skills or time to fill the necessary functions for projects. Dealing with IT recruitment is challenging and takes time and energy from teams, that’s where our clients rely on us.
If you can't find the right talent for your company, and it's starting to take weeks and even months to find the right people for the job, the time to leverage outsourcing has come. This service will give you access to a huge talent pool of experts, from where you can quickly find the ideal candidates. Another benefit is that experienced IT outsourcing providers usually have a large recruiting team and an impressive internal candidate base, saving time and overhead costs.
Once you're ready to embark with an outsourcing team, we have a few tips that can help you work more efficiently:
- Analyze and write down the type of roles you will outsource and the short and long-term goals you have for the outsource team. Since this is probably the beginning of the project, you need to be as specific as possible on what it is you expect to achieve with this partnership.
- Find the right provider for you. This is where you invest a little more time doing research, to find a supplier that aligns with your culture and is well versed in technologies that will improve your business. We recommend you check their portfolio and reviews on platforms like Clutch.
- Prioritize real value over cost. Have this in mind: “Your outsourcing company's rates are often a reflection of skills, experience, and quality of work.”
- Start with a pilot project. It may take more of your investment but by doing this, you can learn just how well the team you will be working with manages their time if they have efficient communication skills as well as authenticity in their work.
- Prepare your in-site team! This is a must, since this change directly affects your team. Since they will be working with a different team and modality, thorough preparation and detailed documentation are necessary.
In essence, IT Outsourcing is a superb choice if you’re dealing with a scale issue or a recruitment issue. We hope these tips help you in the decision making process on your next IT project.