the state of the practice lero industry event 11 may 2009 smart outsourcing – small and agile...
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The State of the PracticeLero Industry Event
11 May 2009
Smart Outsourcing – Small and Agile Teams
Vikas Sahni
Softedge Systems
Softedge Overview
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Dublin based, own 100% subsidiary in India
First European Microsoft IP Venture Partner
Significant R&D capabilities/experience
Full product life cycle capabilities
A product developed by us is Certified for Windows VistaClient base includes a host of very prestigious and globally renowned companies – Microsoft / Intel / Foinse
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Why Us?
Retention of IPR and Business Control
Local Dublin High level design, architecture and management
Quick and flexible scaling of resources
Availability of highly skilled and experienced developers
Significant cost reduction, limited start up costs
De-risk the outsource software development option
Delhi – the best location for software development
Misconceptions about Outsourcing
Small software projects are not suitableAgile methodologies do not workProduct development cannot be outsourcedOverheads are too high
Management Communication
Culture
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The Domestic Software Industry
Small indigenous companies – focussed on product developmentSmall to medium local service providers – provide infrastructure, installation, admin Large multinationals – based here due to R&D skills, historical links, low corporate tax rate
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In-sourcing v Outsourcing
In-sourcing:Contractors sitting in your office, you manage themBasic advantage is flexibility to terminate
Is it worth it???Outsourcing:
Specialist providers, with staff NOT in your officeNo non-technical issues to be managedDe-risk the software development effort
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Near Shore v Far Shore
Near shoreSame / similar time zoneProximity for meetings at short noticeSame culture
Far shoreDifferent time zone (up to 13.5 hours!)Difficult to meet in personDifferent culture
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History
The Pioneers in early 90sUSA to Ireland UK to India Large teamsApplication / Implementation focus
The Early FailuresLack of VisionCultural issues
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Challenges for small teams
Communication Project managementTime differenceDependence on individualsProcess / methodology overheadsWork Packet preparation overheads
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Waterfall
Milestone based planningDifficult to modifyMedium to long term deploymentLarge teamsBig bang release
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Spiral
Rapid application developmentFrequent releasesLittle planning within a releaseEasy to modifySmall teams – Agile / Extreme
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Why not Agile?
Needs regular brainstorming sessionsPrescribes at least daily meetingsUnstructured within an iterationRequires constant communication
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Modified Agile
Long term Vision / ScopeMilestone based releasesAgile between releasesDevelop version n, keep n+1 in mindReview Vision / Scope after each releaseAdaptation of Microsoft Solution Framework
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Some success stories
www.tyactlive.com 4 weeks from initial meeting to completion1 end-client, 1 Microsoft Dublin, 2 Softedge Dublin, 5 Softedge India
IE8 evangelismNumber of micro projects, 2 days to 2 monthsTypically 1/2 end-client, 1 Microsoft Dublin, 1/3 Softedge Dublin, 2/4 Softedge India
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What works for us
Blend, Blend, BlendCommunicate continuously
Email VoiceChat
Leverage Time Zone differencesExplain the cultural differences and similarities
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An extreme example
Microsoft Internal toolThree Geographies
Dublin – 2 Microsoft, 2 Softedge Singapore – 2 Microsoft Delhi – 2 Softedge
Very short Timeline V 1 – 2 weeks V2 – 1 week V3 – 1 week
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