Accelerating Innovation: Embracing Agile Offshore Software Development

The reasons for choosing one are numerous. They include optimizing processes for product and service development, reducing costs, and saving time. Choosing agile offshore software development gives startups and established businesses the opportunity to streamline.

When you cut back on costs and long processes connected to human resources, you gain the capacity for innovation. Let’s delve into how this works and the benefits and challenges it’ll bring to your business. 

The Evolution of Agile Offshore Development

Agile offshore software development has seen significant growth in the last few years. During the initial changes brought about by the pandemic and in the years that followed, digital solutions were required. As time passed, it was clear that an agile offshore software development company could thrive in such an environment.

Research into IT services shows the current growth. Studies on the use of technological advances in business show that the evolution of agile offshore development is well underway. 

A 2022 study from Statista indicates:

"A key sub-sector of the larger information technology industry is the IT services market. This sub-sector brings in hundreds of millions of dollars each year, with forecasts suggesting that this number will reach 1.27 trillion U.S. dollars in spending in 2022 after eclipsing the one trillion dollar mark in 2019. Digitalization, along with constant technological advancement, means that businesses in nearly every industry rely on IT services which results in continuous market spending."

While the Agile Manifesto was launched in 2001, it took a while for existing developers to question their existing approaches and move to the agile methodology. By the mid-2010s, businesses and developers started seeing the real-world results of using this approach. The measurable success of the methodology pushed software development to the peak it has reached today.

What This Growth Means

A consequence of this growth is that the demand for experienced developers is high. Offshore development helps broaden the talent pool without compromising quality. The company can now reap the rewards of going down that route. Not only have possibilities opened up, but the required personnel based in different locations can use tools to work harmoniously to achieve client goals.

The increased control, flexibility, customer satisfaction, and team morale have also made effective offshore development possible. Thanks to this methodology, this way of working involves continuous improvement, which means the end product’s quality improves too. 

Definition of Agile Offshore Development

Here is a basic definition of agile offshore development: it refers to the ability to use agile methods in software development projects by involving remote offshore teams.

There are three aspects to the term agile offshore development. In fact, it might be easier to use the term agile offshore software development, as that helps us identify the three components. Let’s start by looking at the recognized concept: agile. We can then move on to the other elements.

Agile methodology is founded on 12 key principles. They include prioritizing customer satisfaction, embracing change at any stage, short timescales, technical excellence, and collaboration between developers, business owners, and employees. 

There are several frameworks that an agile software development company can choose from, depending on the aims and ways of working. Three examples are Lean Software Development (LSD), Scrum, and eXtreme Programming (XP). 

The next element is as straightforward as it sounds. Since digital technologies make conversations and sharing information easy, you don’t have to recruit experts from the country where your business is based. As programming has its own universal languages, your development team can be based anywhere but still, be perfectly positioned to help with your needs.

The development part of the term agile offshore software development refers to the work that the team does. When you choose a company, they work with you to agree on a plan based on your goals. After recruiting the required software development experience for the job, the agency proceeds with the work. 

The next steps could involve reviewing existing systems, maintaining and fixing that system, and designing and implementing a new and better option using advanced technologies that integrate with your business structure. Your project and needs will set the tone for who and what is required, and the experts will adapt accordingly. 

What Are the Benefits of Using Agile Offshore Software Development?

Finding the right expertise, efficiency, and scalability are three drivers for choosing offshore software development. By opting for agile offshore development, companies can unlock several advantages while reaching their goals. 

Here is a list of the main benefits that businesses that choose agile offshore software development. 

• Cost-efficient. The easy recruitment process and project-focused nature of the undertaking mean you pay for personnel when you need them. It negates the need to shoulder unnecessary long-term hiring costs. In turn, you can direct your resources toward other crucial areas of your business.
• Time-saving. The methodology focuses on productivity and working quickly. The team works at a fast pace toward producing working software. It means you can roll out products quickly, with changes made along the way.
• Customer satisfaction. Since feedback is essential to the process and customer satisfaction is a priority, the company delivers successful products. This way of working involves clear communication, which means expectations are understood and met.
• Access to expertise. Your offshore team will include the programmers, engineers, and developers that you need to get the job done. If you need a specific specialism or programming language, you can add them to your team for the project to get the best results.
• Collaboration. The offshore development center focuses on collaboration between businesses and software developers. The methodology encourages valuing individual contributions within the team, providing a more holistic approach to getting results.
• Quality products. All of the benefits above, plus a rigorous approach to testing and improving the process, mean high-quality products. Since changes can be made at any stage, the product you end up with will be fit for purpose, even if markets and priorities shift.
• Growth. Your offshore team helps your business to grow in many ways. Not only does it allow you to develop your new product or system, but it helps you tap into skills that open up new possibilities. Working with an offshore team also gives you access to new markets, with local knowledge and connections making expansion possible.

Which Challenges Do the Teams Face?

Agile offshore software development is a different way of working, which most businesses aren’t used to. A new situation or approach can often cause teething problems, clashes, and challenges. However, it’s still possible for your company to benefit from working with an offshore team that embraces methodology.

The trick is to understand the challenges that come with forming these teams. In some cases, you need to be ready to accept them as small bumps in the road. However, in most cases, being prepared means you can smooth out these difficulties with training, harnessing technology, and planning.  

Here are some of the main challenges teams will likely encounter and how to avoid them.

• Difficult onboarding experience. Even though you have access to expertise and experience, it doesn’t mean you can skip the onboarding process. Taking a little time at the start to get on the same page can save a lot of trouble in the long run. Make sure the project, tasks, reporting, and procedures are straightforward. Having documentation that outlines and tracks progress is crucial.
• Lack of security, confidentiality, and access. As the business hiring the team, it’s best for you to set boundaries from the start. They could include drafting and implementing a non-disclosure agreement and requiring work and communication to be carried out on secure platforms. Finally, ensuring that you have ownership and access to products and accounts at all times is essential.
• Time differences. One major barrier to collaborating and achieving success is not finding good times to talk. Begin by establishing a window for the best hours for collaboration and communication so that those hours are kept free for calls and face-to-face meetings.
• Cultural differences. Misunderstandings due to cultural differences can also cause frustrations and halt progress. To mitigate that, research potential companies before you partner to find one that matches your work ethic and values. It’s also worth keeping an open mind that you could each learn from each other in a way that benefits your customers.
• Lack of flexibility. Agile offshore development teams are used to being flexible, but when met with an in-house team that only knows one way of working, challenges can arise. Software and other tools, such as Slack and Trello, can smooth the process when adapting to the new approach.

Best Practices of Agile Offshore Development

Harnessing the power and success of agile offshore development is worthwhile. However, to make the most of your collaboration with an agile offshore software development company, you’ll want to adopt these best practices. 

Agile offshore best practices involve preparing for your collaboration. They also give structure to the working relationship. The best practices outlined below describe steps that you can take to get off to the best start and ways to guide the project toward a successful finish.

    1. Establish a Clear Scope of Work (SOW)

Alongside clearly defining the product that you’re creating with the help of the offshore team, you need to consider what it will take to get there. An SOW includes a timeline, milestones, reporting stages, and an overview of tasks and deliverables. 

A SOW has the vital benefit of allowing you to start on the same page. When given the correct detail and structure, it’ll also give you the flexibility to break down tasks, adjust priorities and adapt. Once established, you can keep the end product in sight while collaborating, evaluating, and improving.

2. Discuss the Plan With the Offshore Team

It’s time for the collaboration to begin, and to develop a realistic product roadmap, you’ll need to discuss your plans with the team. This element builds on the SOW to produce a clear picture of the product development process for everyone involved.

Typically, the roadmap will include sprints, which help the team make progress and any required changes. The sprints allow the team to create task lists and time estimates that keep everyone informed of the process and any requirements. Make sure to include regular demos in the plan to show results and allow for feedback to shape the process.

3. Use Collaboration Technology and Meet Regularly

Three communication approaches are invaluable to software development. Using collaboration technology is the first. Investing in something like Trello creates easier workflows, transparency, control, and management. 

Regular quick meetings are also beneficial as it connects the team and keeps you in sync. Getting used to asynchronous communication due to the differences in time zones and locations is necessary. The best practice is to ensure decisions are documented and reviews and demos are planned.

Key Considerations When Working With an Agile Offshore Development Team

Understanding agile offshore development and knowing its benefits and challenges is an excellent starting point for choosing a company. Before you move down that path to success, use these key considerations to guide you.

1. Communication. Working with an agile team requires collaboration. You’ll enjoy more advantages when you invest in tools, set times to communicate and define your goals and requirements in-house before sharing them with others.
2. Build trust between teams in a distributed work environment. Transparency and trust are critical to effective collaboration. A positive work culture, celebrating successes, and handling feedback clearly and constructively help foster trust.
3. Minimize the friction in setting up the development environment. Tools, regular meetings, and a clear scope can help minimize friction in the initial stages. Formal and informal meetings help everyone get on the same page.
4. Create guidelines for effective work. There are several structures you can put in place for effective work. Your SOW is the starting point, but your NDAs and secure methods of communication also contribute. After that, your product roadmap with sprints, reviews, and demos allows the team to list their requirements and set short-term deadlines.

Final Thoughts

Embracing agile offshore software development has plenty of opportunities and potential for any business that’s seeking cost-efficiency, innovation, and scalability. This approach has demonstrated how it’s able to streamline processes while delivering high-quality products. Many challenges may arise, but adopting best practices may pave the way for successful collaboration with remote teams. Some examples are clear communication, scope definition, and the use of collaboration technology.

By understanding its essence, you can harness the benefits of agile software development, positioning your company for improved growth and competitiveness in a digital landscape that’s ever-evolving.