There are many reasons why outsourcing is the best choice for startups, and each one is equally important. For example, outsourcing means you don’t have to establish a development office. It also means you can save money on employee hiring and education. Moreover, with outsourcing you’ll receive consistent pre and post-launch support, and you’ll benefit from swift prototype development for investor funding. All of these reasons are important, but there are several other factors that are equally important to your success. Factors that are especially important for startups looking to build a solid foundation not only for their business, but with a trusted outsourcing partner. These factors include:
- Ideas
- Innovation
- Uniqueness, especially in terms of IP
- Optimization. What can you do better than your competitors?
- Accessing and attaching your company to the cutting-edge of new platforms
- The ability to create a fantastic prototype for potential investors
- The flexibility, human capital and financial capital to improve and refine your product/service as you begin to accrue investors
- Confidence in your selected outsourcing partner, especially when it comes to IP. The "secret sauce" to your product or service is of utmost importance to you — so when you’re researching outsourcing partners, make sure you understand to what lengths they’ll go to protect your IP rights — i.e. NDAs, contracts, etc. Also, it’s a good idea to call a prospective partner’s references and discuss this subject with them.
As to the outsourcing process itself, an iterative development process more often than not offers the most flexibility and the best opportunity for idea-sharing for innovative projects whose requirements are either undefined or likely to change during development. The "remote outsourcing partner" model thrives in this milieu, as it allows for regular communication, consistent focus on best practices, short iterations, repeated reviews and rapid-fire deliveries. Moreover, each member of your outsourcing partner team becomes fully immersed in your project, understands the importance of customer relations, and is as excited about your insights, ideas and potential for success as you are. As a startup, you’re optimistic about what the future holds. Your outsourcing partner should share this optimism with you, creating a symbiotic relationship that boosts everybody’s game to another level.
If you’re starting a new platform or software business, the above insights will go a long way towards helping you identify an experienced, flexible outsourcing partner.