When you outsource software development, what kind of management software or process do you use?
I have tried many outsource marketplaces like oDesk, scriptlance, rentacoder, elance, etc. Generally speaking, these applications have some kind of management and collaboration tools like – message boards, deadline dates, screen captures = time tracking verification, etc. However, I find most of these tools cumbersome to use and end up transposing most of the project management items into my own internal management software and process. This got me thinking…
I’m curious to hear how other people are managing outsource projects – big and small companies alike. Do you have to choose from a preferred vendor list? Is there a defined process for inclusion/exclusion for a preferred vendor list? Do you follow a service contract template? How do you prepare and manage any Service Level Agreements (SLA)? What is your request for proposal (RFP) process? Do any of your answers from the previous questions include: Excel spreadsheet?
Reasons for my questions and thoughts relate to an application I’ve been developing over the years – a collaboration platform called ServiceCycle. Frankly speaking, a thing that has always bothered me about ServiceCycle is that is not focused on a particular industry or niche. The industries that use ServiceCycle are all over the board.
Perhaps ServiceCycle could fill a void in outsource management? It could be customized to provide SLA management/enforcement, RFP distribution and monitoring, service contract templates, preferred vendor list organization and ratings, monitor and measurement of milestones, issue tracking, key dates, communication archiving and of course, tracking and reporting.
What do you think? Would outsource management software be valuable to organizations? Do you know of any products trying to fill this niche?
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