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Project management/outsourcing

by socialentry
2 replies
Hey there,

I am interested in learning more about the process of outsourcing software.

So I have a couple (well, lots really) of questions:

1-Is it possible as a fairly non-technical person to run a software company or should I bring in a tech person as a partner?
2-How much allowance do you make for Murphy's law as far as customer service/bug goes? How early in the development stage should you sell the product?
3-I do know there are people that lead IT projects in the corporate world but comes from a strictly management background. Are there any good books on IT project management without the corporate jargon?
4-If I do take the road of doing it solo, how can I be sure that I am not being taken if the project is custom? E.g. How do I know that the code is actually maintanable or secure, and could be taken by another team if the first one proves to be incompetent?
6-Should I get further technical skills and if so which ones?
7-For sales at the corporate level, what kind of resistance can I expecte from the in-house IT team e.g. for security reasons?

My experience:
I took 2 programming classes (1 in C++ and 1 in Java) in uni. I had a knack for it and got good grades, I feel confident that given enough time, I can learn anything computer-wise. but to be frank, I don't think I am going to spend the years required to be a good software engineer. I enjoy programming as a hobby of sort but I just don't enjoy it enough to do it 40 hours + a week.

I also learnt the basics of networking and programming switches and routers. I was about to do my CISCO certs in another job but never got around to it if that's relevant.

Thanks a lot,
#management or outsourcing #project
  • Profile picture of the author David Beroff
    I had outsourced about 200 projects on vWorker. There is plenty of room for an intermediary position as you describe. The most important skill is being able to communicate in an extremely detailed fashion to each of your two audiences (clients and developers).
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    • Profile picture of the author minirich
      1-Is it possible as a fairly non-technical person to run a software company or should I bring in a tech person as a partner?
      Depends on how good you communications skills are. If you can specify exactly what you want, you will still get something that you do not like. Either bring in (at least) part time a tech person or someone speaking the "language" of your programmer(s).
      2-How much allowance do you make for Murphy's law as far as customer service/bug goes? How early in the development stage should you sell the product?
      If the program does not work as described, it is either a bug or it is another (new) feature.
      If it really is a bug it should be fixed, it hinders or even prevents the usage of the feature.
      If it is another/new feature "Hooray", put it in the feature list and bump up the price
      If you got a working feature in it that is worth paying for or unique, start selling it.
      3-I do know there are people that lead IT projects in the corporate world but comes from a strictly management background. Are there any good books on IT project management without the corporate jargon?
      There are so many books, (good, bad, ugly) but you can try this one for a start.
      Software Project Management For Dummies:Book Information - For Dummies
      4-If I do take the road of doing it solo, how can I be sure that I am not being taken if the project is custom? E.g. How do I know that the code is actually maintanable or secure, and could be taken by another team if the first one proves to be incompetent?
      You can't really be sure from the beginning. What you can do is ask for references, or sample code of different projects of different sizes. (But make sure it's really his code).
      Don't start with a big project with a new developer, do some small projects at first. And if you are certain what he delivers is working, you can go for the bigger ones. (If you really putt your foot in it, you could come to me, i will try my best to fix it ).
      6-Should I get further technical skills and if so which ones?
      At least you should know the technical jargon. If you learn about requirements development, test cases or specification writing (in regards of technical terms) it will help you with point 4 to determine if the code is of good quality.
      7-For sales at the corporate level, what kind of resistance can I expecte from the in-house IT team e.g. for security reasons?
      Any. It always depends on the level of security requested. If your software is outside facing they will be much harder on security as if it is an intranet application.
      It also depends on the person who recommends you, if it is someone from high to middle management of the it-department it will be easier. If it comes from the C-Class level than it will also be easier. If book keeping or marketing is recommending you it depends on their standing with in the company. General rule, the far down form CEO or owner and far away from IT the harder the resistance of IT will become.

      I hope that helped.
      Mike
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