By Nearshore software development is an emerging sector of technology with a nearly unlimited short-term potential. As such, larger numbers of American and international companies looking for software development outsourcing will be considering nearshore partners at some point. And they will have to shop around, as it were, to ensure that the partners they choose are right for their projects.
iTexico is just one of a number of reputable nearshore software development companies now established in the US. Based in Austin, Texas, iTexico owns and operates a nearshore subsidiary in Guadalajara, Mexico. They are able to offer clients a somewhat unique extended teams as a service (eTaaS) model that gives them access to their own dedicated software development teams on an as-needed basis.
iTexico says that finding a good nearshore partner is a matter of knowing what to look for. In every industry, there are stronger players alongside their weaker counterparts, and nearshore software development is no exception. A strong nearshore partner exhibits three well-defined characteristics as explained below.
1. Excellent Communication Skills
Company-wide communication skills are just as important as individual communication skills. The very first thing a client should be looking for when seeking a nearshore partner is a firm that communicates effectively, transparently, and regularly. A lack of communication just makes outsourcing more difficult than it needs to be.
For the record, improved communications is one of the strengths of nearshore development as opposed to its offshore cousin. A nearshore partner and its clients are, by definition, much closer geographically. Often, they are even within the same time zone. This facilitates more effective communications by having everyone on the same clock. So why choose a partner that lacks communication skills?
2. Multiple Development Models
There are lots of different models for developing software. The most successful firms do not focus on just one model. Again, iTexico is a fitting example. iTexico teams can employ agile development for one project and waterfall development for another. They can even employ spiral, iterative, and SCRUM models.
Why is this important? Because not every project has the exact same needs. Clients need nearshore partners able to adapt to each project as it comes along. Offering a range of development models is imperative to such adaptability.
3. Strong Project Management
Clients expect their nearshore partners to be very strong in knowledge and skills. They expect the development team to be proficient in things like Java, node.js, angular, etc. But there is something more important than just raw skill: Strong project management. Project management is as critical to software development as it is to construction.
Developing a new piece of software is an incremental process regardless of the development model chosen. A firm with strong project management skills is capable of seeing an entire project in the broadest possible scope, then breaking the project down into incremental goals. Each step of the process is tightly managed to ensure timely completion within the established budget.
Without strong project management, nearshore software development can quickly get out of control. Remote software teams can be on one page while their domestic partners are on another. The client may be on a separate page altogether.
Go Slow, Choose Wisely
iTexico recommends that clients looking for a nearshore software development partner go slowly and take their time. A successful partnership requires the right partner, so it is imperative that clients choose wisely. They should be looking for a nearshore provider with excellent communication skills, multiple development models, and strong project management capabilities.
