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Outsourcing Models :
Onsite/Offshore Model:
Under this model, depending upon the specific set
of services involved and scale of the project, the vendor firm will
put in place a combination of onsite and offshore technical
resources that will become a virtual extension of the customer's
team. On an average, 70% of the total effort is done offshore and
30% at the customer's site. Typically, an onsite coordinator or a
small team from the vendor firm will be located at the customer's
site to synchronize between the offshore team and the customer.
Pure
Offshore Model:
Under this model, the entire project is carried
out offshore. The vendor company will not have any onsite presence.
The customer interacts directly with the offshore team. |
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Offsite/Offshore Model:
In this model, the vendor company will have it's own office close to
the customer's site. A team of engineers from this office will
coordinate between the customer and the
offshore team.
The offshore model has by far been the most successful one among the
various models that have emerged. The simple reason being that
unlike in the case of the offsite/ offshore model, you have the
satisfaction of coordinating and discussing requirements and
deliverables with an dedicated member of the team in the US, while
at the same time enjoying the offshore cost advantage. |
OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY:
The offshore development process usually begins at
the customer's site. A team of analysts led by a Project Manager carry
out the initial requirements definition and analysis in consultation
with the customer. The design, development, and testing phases are
carried out at the offshore development center with a larger team. The
acceptance testing, implementation, installation, and user training are
done at the customer's site. On an average 70% of the total effort is
done offshore and 30% onsite.
An outline of steps involved in the offshore model is:
1. A Project Manager from the development team and a Project
Coordinator from the customer's end are nominated to oversee the entire
project.
2. To start with, the Project Manager and a team of engineers
from the vendor firm visit the customer's office to establish rapport
with the Project Coordinator, discuss, understand and document
requirements, establish communication protocol and finalize reporting
format and frequency. It is absolutely necessary that the Project
Manager and his team gain an in-depth understanding of the requirements
and communicate the customer's vision of the application back to the
offshore center.
3. Once the initial requirements have been understood, the
customer's design approach, development and testing standards and norms
for acceptance, if any, are studied. A detailed project plan that
entails the resources for the project, duration of the project,
milestones and deliverables to be achieved is prepared.
4. While the Project Manager and the majority of his team return
with the above information and prepares a project prototype,
architecture and detail design for the customer's approval.
5. Once the customer has signed off on the requirements and
prototype, the core development team gets going on the work. Constant
interactions between the project manager and the onsite coordinator
enable quick clarification of any doubts.
6. Upon completion of the project, the vendor team will carry out
the implementation and installation of the project at the customer's
site.
In certain cases, some amount of preliminary design is completed onsite
during the Project Manager's visit. Subsequently, the development and
testing take place.
In many cases, the various steps mentioned above overlap, compressing
the total time. The project as envisaged could include onsite
installation and implementation support followed by offshore
maintenance.
Want to know more?
Mail us at
sendmemore@fullestop.com
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