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A nearshore software development partner will often be the key to a successful product. This is why it’s important to know what to look for when choosing one. Here are some of the things you should consider when making your decision:
Outsourcing model and relationship
Although the outsourcing model and relationship is not a single decision, it is important to consider all of the following factors when choosing a nearshore software development partner.
- How will the project be funded?
- How will the project be managed?
- Who will manage the project?
- What are their qualifications and experience in this area?
- How do they work with clients and how can you reach them at any time? Do they have a dedicated project manager on staff or an external organization helping them manage client projects like yours.
- How will you communicate with your nearshore provider: email, phone, Slack, Teams or face-to-face meetings in person.
- Who makes decisions regarding scope creep and changes to requirements during execution of work on your nearshore software development project – you or your new offshore partner.
Size and sophistication
Size of the company is a valid concern. Some companies are smaller than others, and some have more experience than others. When it comes to choosing a nearshore partner, size isn’t everything; but it can be an important factor in deciding which company is right for you.
When considering the size of your potential partners, consider:
- How many employees does the company have? This will give you an idea of its capacity for different types of projects and initiatives.
- How many developers does it employ?
- What types of projects has this nearshore partner worked on before? Are they familiar with similar projects that match yours? You want someone who knows what they’re doing so bring up any past experience when talking with them!
Agility and work dynamics
Agility and work dynamics are two of the most important factors to consider when choosing a nearshore software development partner.
Agility is the ability to deliver high quality software in a timely manner. It’s not enough for your partner to be able to develop your application; they must also be able to do so within the context of your team, which requires them having the right skillset and experience. How agile is your organization? what flavors of agile do you leverage on a day to day basis. What is your expectation on the partner´s level of maturity on this? Do you want a peer on this area? are you flexible on teaching and coaching your partner on this? Do you actually need help in maturing your org around agility?
Work dynamics refers to how well a team works together—and this can vary based on culture, personality type, and more. A strong work dynamic ensures that everyone has clear communication channels open for communicating expectations.
Company culture and intercultural communication
In a software development engagement, communication is critical. You need to be able to talk with your team in a way that makes sense for you and them. If there are cultural barriers, this can be challenging.
When choosing a nearshore partner, it is important to consider whether their business culture fits with yours at the purpose, values and principles level. If not, it may be difficult for them to understand what you want or how your team works best together. Having at least one person on board who speaks English fluently gives everyone peace of mind during the project’s course as they can rely on him/her as an interpreter if needed.
Some companies have different work ethics than others which can lead to misunderstandings because each individual has different expectations of their responsibilities while working together under one roof; however having common values such as integrity and dedication help foster trust among colleagues which will make things run more smoothly overall since everyone knows what needs done when agreed to.
Process maturity and certifications
Companies in the software development industry need to make sure that they have a mature, secure and quality-driven process. One way to evaluate this is by looking at the certifications they have. Certifications are an indicator of maturity but not always a complete indicator. Some of the most common certifications include:
- ISO 9001
- CMMI – Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a set of practices for improving an organization’s ability to deliver products and services on time, within budget, without defects or errors, while satisfying customer needs. The model was originally developed by Software Engineering Institute (SEI) within Carnegie Mellon University(CMU).
- ISO 27001/27002: Information Security Management System (ISMS) certification tests how effective you as an information security officer are at protecting your organization’s sensitive data from potential threats such as hacking attacks or malware infections.
Security
Security is a top priority for the success of your product. When you choose a software development partner, it’s important that they share this priority with you. A good way to evaluate how security-focused a company is is by asking them what their processes and certifications are for handling data privacy and security issues.
In order to keep your customers safe, it’s vital that all parties involved in creating a product have strong measures in place to prevent any kind of breach or compromise. This means that both nearshore partners and teams at home need to be educated on best practices when it comes to data protection—and provide tools for employees who might not know why certain tasks need special attention (or don’t).
ISO27001 ensures that your partner has a documented information security policy, and that the business conducts regular risk assessments, reviews, audits and change management activities.
SOC2 is another common certification for security-related issues; it establishes that your partner has an established information security management system (ISMS).
Legal aspects for nearshoring
If you are looking for a nearshore software development partner, there are some legal aspects to be considered.
- NDA: It is important that you sign an NDA with your chosen provider before sending them any confidential information. An NDA protects both parties from disclosing their confidential information and trade secrets.
- Master Services Agreement: A MSA defines the rights of both parties in regard to the work they do together, including deliverables and timelines as well as payment terms and conditions.
- Statement of Work (SoW): The SoW lists all requirements under which your project will be delivered by the vendor or supplier. It acts as an outline for each phase of development, containing details such as scope of work, deliverables, timelines etcetera. This document can change during the project’s lifetime if new features are added or removed from it; however it is crucial that everyone involved knows what was agreed upon when signing this document at first place!
Insurance
Insurance is important for both the client and the service provider. The main reason why software development companies need insurance is to mitigate the risk of working with clients in another country, while they themselves are located in a different country. Also, some types of software projects may require legal compliance or security certifications which can be easier to get if your service provider has a good insurance plan.
Conclusion
Polytropic is here to help you find amazing software development partners in Latin America so you can focus on building great stuff.
We have decades of experience in nearshoring and software development at scale and can help you find the right partner fast. Get in touch today.
