Top 11 Criteria for Choosing the Best Outsourcing Partner

Employment, in this decade, is becoming complex. There is where the most significant need for outsourcing arises- Fredric Joye

As the requirement and preference for outsourcing solutions have grown, many new outsourcing companies have sprung up to satisfy the demand for remote developers and staff augmentation services.

The efficiency and innovation of access to a broad range of IT services have fueled tremendous expansion in the outsourced IT industry, which is expected to reach USD 937.6 billion by 2027.

This trend has shifted the onus to business owners to conduct thorough research before selecting the right IT outsourcing company with whom to collaborate.

After all, it’s not that easy to hunch on a couch, make a few clicks & tap on your laptop, get fascinated with the design & colors of a website, and then select an outsourcing partner.

There is other nitty-gritty that you need to consider.

Companies may take weeks or months to identify the ideal IT outsourced partner at a time when the response is critical.

69% of US employers say they need help finding the proper individuals for their project needs due to IT talent scarcity.

You would need some guidance to ensure a high profit and reduce risks—some directions and points to consider and what red flags to be wary of.

Key Aspects to Consider While Selecting an IT Outsourcing Partner

Thus, we have grabbed and focused on some key aspects you might want to consider while selecting an IT outsourcing partner for a fruitful collaboration –

1. Quality of Service

Can the company you choose provide the quality you require? If you need to learn about this, find out their previous track records, projects, and portfolio. Talk about their ways of working with their former and existing clients. That is the delivery structure, planning, and methodology.

Consider asking for a free trial because a trustworthy business entity will be acceptable for giving a demo.

2. Communication Methodologies

Reputed companies are always positive for inquiries, and they are always open to dialogue – wherein they can introduce you to their team, their organization, and their work. If the outsourcing agency is accommodating and ready to provide further information or assistance, it values and understands the role of communication with its clients. It is also essential to know about their communication methods.

3. Work Experience in the Market

A firm with long work experience in different markets and circumstances is reliable to keep faith in. Such firms are experts in handling clients, solving troubleshooting issues, clearing up time zone gaps, and removing communication barriers. Apart from experience, their quality of work and reputation in the market also matters.

4. Technology Expertise & Domain Knowledge

An ideal overseas outsourcing company is well-equipped with modern technology (hardware specs, perfect internet speed, and the latest software) and the infrastructure required for your project. Explore how well they adapt to new tech and develop solutions with today’s technology.

Apart from having a broad infrastructure and tech capability, they must also be familiar with your industry domain, which is vital in your use case driven software development. This experience will provide you with more than just peace of mind knowing that your project is in capable hands.

5. Check References

Market reputation is just as critical as Experience. Working with an experienced partner that constantly misses deadlines and doesn’t prioritize the success of your project is pointless. It is not difficult to find out what people say about a company on the internet these days. You should not, however, limit your research to forums or platforms that have extensive client reviews.

Go one step further if you have any uncertainties or are considering many vendors. Please find out about their outsourcing experiences by contacting at least a handful of their past clients. Make direct contact with them. The ideal strategy for picking a partner is to be sure that the company has a lot of happy customers and is reliable. First hand dialogues with customers by seeking contacts from these agencies often works.

6. Financial Aspect & Long-Term Stability

You would prefer to work with something other than an outsourcing firm at risk of closing. You can check its growth by measuring its competency with other companies. It must have the financial stability to handle all types of market fluctuations .

7. Organization Having Accurate Size

It is essential to select the right-sized company according to the scope of your project. For instance, if you make a $100mn deal, you do not choose a small firm for such a large project. Similarly, for a few hundred thousand  to $2mn overseas deal, never pick a big firm, as it may put you at risk of getting low-level talent.

8. Company Culture

A partnership between two companies functions just like a relationship. You must have the same ideals and be able to communicate freely. Blocks in which these requirements are met are more likely to succeed.

Cross-cultural business can be challenging since people’s perceptions of time vary. These disparities could lead to misunderstandings and tension. Nonetheless, it is conceivable to combine the two worlds. Whether you choose a company in your immediate area or one from another country, you must set communication standards and terms of a partnership. Take into account the formality and data visibility to create a win-win scenario. Generally outsourcing partners with offices in multiple countries is an indication of the right kind of mindset and exposure.

9. Delivery Timeline

It would help if you made your team aware of the timeline of your project. Ask about the processes to overcome the factors responsible for the late delivery of a project. You can also check their previous records of product delivery.

10. Guidelines and Terms

Get complete knowledge of the terms of a project before finalizing a deal with them. Proper documentation must be finalized beforehand, including project assumptions, payment, timeline, working methods, confidentiality, and guidelines.

11. Ask for ISO and CMMI certifications

Every firm that aspires to prosper must invest in business growth. 

ISO is an audit standard, but CMMI is a process model. While ISO standards are the same for all businesses, the CMMI model helps you create procedures that are tailored to your needs. So while outsourcing, keep these certifications in check.

To Conclude

Choosing the Best IT outsourcing company that matches your needs takes time and effort, just like making any critical decision. To make a well-thought-out decision, you must evaluate the above criteria and compare the options by carefully selecting outsourcing partners because they add tremendous value to your ongoing projects.