Mobile app development is capable of transforming business operations in many ways by delivering effective and engaging ways to interact with its consumers. Over the passage of time, there are millions of well-designed, smart mobile apps have been developed which enables business organizations to accomplish what was formerly seem unimaginable; however, challenges may also arise when you have a unique app idea, but lacks the appropriate skills and expertise to transform it into reality. This is the fundamental reason that most enterprises choose to outsource mobile app development rather than designating the task to internal development teams.
When there are multiple benefits of outsourcing the mobile development task to an external team; there are also many challenges that come along. And, enterprises make mistakes too often while choosing an outsourcing partner. This blogpost is predominantly about the 5 common mistakes that enterprises make when outsourcing mobile app development. Alongside, it describes how development outsourcing can be made more effective. In addition to it, the post also provides details about how to select the right outsourcing partners, which goes along with your business values and goals.
Mistake # 1 – Failing to Take Time-Zone Difference into Account
Although the world has transformed into a global marketplace, there are still some issues we need to overcome, especially when outsourcing a project to a services provider with a different time zone. Because, if the mobile app development team is offline during the hours when you are operational, then you have to wait the entire day to get your queries answered and concerns resolved. These holdups may result in pushing your project deadlines. In order to make such settings work, you are either required to hire an outsource team that works in the same hours as you, or anyone of you will be required to adjust the schedules accordingly in order to reduce the time delays.
Mistake # 2 – Inapt Functional Tests in End Users’ Setting/Environment
It is always crucial to include testing procedures throughout mobile app development, so as to ensure that the mobile app is going to perform well. This requires simulation tests too, which mimics the settings or environment in which the real end-users will ultimately be using the app. For example, if your designed app is going to be using GPS data, it should be tested within the locations is developed for. It is the responsibility of the business to ensure that the users are not required to pay for the bugs that could have been identified and removed during testing. Instead, you need to as your outsourced partner to use VPNs or emulators to avoid such problems of working with a remote team.
Mistake # 3 – Outsourcing to Outdated Service Providers
Before partnering with any service provider, you must ensure that they maintain the latest stack of technologies and that they are following the latest technology trends. For instance, if you are planning to outsource the development of the user experience or user interface of your mobile app, make sure that the service provider has complete knowledge of the latest trends that are ongoing within the technology industry; and that they are following the best development practices and the culture of a mobile app that is prevailing in the region where your app will be marketed. This can be achieved simply by asking them not to use interfaces or workflows that are specific to their local region, as this may lead to serious issues of acceptability and adaptability for the business. To choose the right outsourcing partner in this regard; prefer the ones only who have already dealt with similar projects.
Mistake # 4 – Allocating A Project Manager with Weak Communication Skills
Another crucial factor in mobile app development is ‘Good Communication’. Problems such as language barriers can result in communication failure. Hence, effective communication is of utmost importance, so that the people you work with understand even the smallest details of your projects; else there are chances that you will not get the expected results. To find out, which service provider is capable of meeting your requirements, start out with a small outsourcing project and then see how their deliverable is sustaining your demands.
Mistake # 5 – Paying No Attention to Code Protection
Never assume that each and every location abide by trademarks and patent laws. For instance, countries like India have no defined laws for patents and trademarks. Likewise, there are various countries where there are no contract clauses are defined and enforced for outsourcing. Even if an NDA is signed, it is advisable to split the source code into independent sections, while forbidding the sharing of confidential content and limiting access to your database. Adopting these steps can reduce your risk of facing such issues.
In conclusion, if you aptly understand the risks associated with outsourcing of your mobile app development, and you wisely take the important precaution to avoid them, then outsourcing mobile app development will not only turn out to be beneficial for your business, but it will also help your business lower its cost.