Checklist

Explanation

Did you build a good team?

Make sure that your onsite project managers have good leadership skills and project management experience. In addition, ensure that your vendor or captive center has the correct offshore resources and that adequate steps have been taken to effectively integrate your onsite and offshore resources to function smoothly.

Did you define roles and responsibilities?

Before starting any project with your offshore team, identify exactly how your onshore and offshore teams will work together. Clearly define and communicate roles, responsibilities, and expectations. In many offshore hotspots, it is critical that the leadership hierarchy for the project team is obvious, as an ill-defined leadership hierarchy will cause problems.

Did you define processes and methodologies?

If you do not have a mature project management methodology, you are not likely to succeed with an offshore strategy. Implement either PMI- or RUP-based project management methodologies first. Do not be persuaded by offshore vendors who will “figure this out later.”*

Do you have a way to document and manage requirements?

Before retaining an offshore outsourcing vendor or moving offshore, implement a sound requirements management mechanism and cycle through a few pilot projects to gain expertise. Attempting a complex project with poorly defined or constantly changing requirements is a recipe for failure.

Do you have the right metrics to measure success or failure?

Define both performance metrics and acceptance criteria before you begin the project. In your design process, include mechanisms to measure each metric and include the reporting of each process and project performance metric.

Throughout the project, measure the performance of your offshore team and progress toward final delivery closely. Report these statistics to internal constituents. Be prepared to act quickly if all is not as defined prior to starting the project.

Did you pay attention to the details?

Explicitly state every detail you require in order for your project to be a success. When submitting requirements, do not summarize the intent but list every parameter, range, format, feature, and process necessary for success. Unlike working with an onshore vendor, offshore vendors tend to literally translate each requirement, and you cannot assume your intent will be delivered unless it is explicitly captured. If your firm is not prepared to produce extensive, detailed design documentation for any offshore team, reconsider your move offshore.

Did you define formal and informal communication channels?

Establish a formal, frequent communication mechanism but do not allow your onshore and offshore teams to use this formal meeting time as an excuse not to speak with each other as needed. Remember that in some cultures asking questions is considered to be a sign of ignorance.

Did you prototype before scaling the project?

No matter how good the requirements are, when working with an offshore team, you will face two significant issues that will cause problems: a lack of brainstorming (such as watercooler conversations or informal “whiteboard sessions”) and misunderstandings. To mitigate these issues, we strongly recommend the use of prototypes and modeling to bring the team together. If the project is lengthy (lasting more than 6 months) it might be useful to have some members of your onshore project team spend time onsite with your offshore team.

Did you keep it simple initially?

Many firms make the mistake of implementing too many processes, tackling too complex of a pilot project, or ramping up too many people. For the first few projects, keep it simple. F ind ways to control the chaos and let people focus on getting the job done.

Do you have an exit strategy or a contingency plan?

In case things go horribly wrong, make sure that you have an exit. Not everything will go according to plan, so make sure that you get help if things begin to fall apart. Get the offshore leadership involved quickly to minimize damage. Their reputation is at stake, and they will do everything possible to fix problems before word gets out to the street.