Well said
Very straight-forward article that lays out the basic issues to consider. Well done Mary!
I manage offshore developers in projects I oversee in the US. The need for a local English speaker who connects & communicates frequently with all team members is critical. The need to understand the client and their needs is primary to any project. Maybe not as good as an insider, but much better then relying on a foreigner who has cultural, language and perception challenges that often leave clients feeling misunderstood, bypassed and frustrated. While I am often tempted to go back to perm or even onsite work for financial stability, I love managing multiple projects and working with US clients and offshore developers.
The points made about reasons to in-source are also spot-on. The project and company needs determine which is the better methodology for each project. There are valid reasons for both in & out sourcing work, depending on the company, project and current needs. When off-shoring is selected, I believe a good local project manager enhances the likelihood of success though sometimes cost and simplicity might negate the need for such oversight.
I just wish more companies could make the commitment to telecommuting. This world would be a better place if more companies moved some of their workforce to part time telecommuting. We all know the advantages - less traffic, happier & stronger families, more efficient workers, lower costs, stronger neighborhoods, etc. Pie in the sky? Perhaps, but the advantages cannot be denied for many organizations.
Rob
