Main Content
The Convergence of Software Development and Globalization Services
360 Degree Global Product Delivery
Overview
One company's "offshore" is another company's "nearshore"
The globalization industry is on the cusp of a major revolution: global software product development and globalization services are converging to enable smoother global product delivery.
The globalization services that make it possible for companies to sell and support their products and services outside of their home markets β internationalization engineering, software localization, website globalization, international QA & testing β are moving upstream, as more and more software development functions are outsourced.
There are several drivers pushing the industry faster and faster towards adopting a 360 degree product development model, based on this convergence of disciplines that should never have been splintered or siloed in the first place. It is breaking down the silos between teams, functions and geographies. Agile development methodology is becoming the great enabler. The current economic downturn is not slowing this convergence β if anything, itβs hastening the process.
In the third in the series of LISA Industry Insights Reports, we analyze this convergence from three different angles, based on in-depth, executive-level interviews with companies that outsource all or part of their global product development process, and companies that provide that service to them:
Business Processes and Metrics
Technology
Human/Team Dynamics
And, we provide you with the following tools to integrate the data into your decision making process:
- LISA Global Product Development Outsourcing Portal and Directory
- LISA Outsourcing Readiness Calculator
- LISA Outsourcing Partner Profile Calculator
- Starter Checklists: Costs vs. Value
- LISA Geo Scorecard: Global Product Development
- Educational Resources for Global Product Development Outsourcing
If your organization is currently outsourcing any project or task outside of your home country, or seriously considering the option, you should consult this report for insights, recommendations and business tools that you won't find in research from Gartner, IDC or Common Sense Advisory.
Benefits for Upper-Level Managers and Executives
If you are an upper-level manager or executive who is responsible for developing and implementing your organization's outsourcing strategies, use the data and business tools in this report to:
- Move ahead of your competitors by learning today how to leverage the convergence before they even recognize the trend.
- Determine whether your organization is ready to support an outsourcing partner (click here to use the LISA Outsourcing Readiness Calculator.)
- Compare the strengths and weaknesses of various regions and companies that specialize in global product development outsourcing.
- Evaluate the business models that you can use to turn the convergence to a competitive advantage.
- Learn how to work with your outsourcing partner to test your business processes, as well as your products and services, at the local level.
- Understand where global product development outsourcing is heading and the trends that will affect it.
Benefits for Managers Who Are Responsible for Outsourcing Teams and Projects
If you manage a team that works with an outsourcing provider on a daily basis, use the data and business tools in this report to:
- Learn the 14 key questions to ask potential outsourcing partners to ensure that you choose the right one for your organization now and for the future (click here to use the LISA Outsourcing Partner Profile Calculator).
- Determine which pieces of your global product development process you should outsource and when.
- Find out the 12 clauses that you should include in your contract with an outsourcing partner.
- Understand how you can leverage Agile development methodology to achieve faster time-to-market and higher quality products at the same time.
- Find out if you're paying to have a job only half done when it comes to global product development, and how to fix it.
- Develop metrics and SLAs that reflect the business value, rather than the cost, of your outsourcing partnership.
- Understand why a person's functional area of expertise tends to override cultural differences in the workplace, and how it is a critical factor in managing virtual global teams.
- Develop an up-to-date IP protection policy.
How to Add This Publication to Your Shopping Cart
The Convergence of Software Development and Globalization Services is available at no cost to LISA Sponsor and Corporate Members. Just click on the free download link below. Introductory and Individual/Non-Profit members may purchase this publication for a discount.
For others, the publication is available with two pricing options. A Business Unit License allows unlimited copying and distribution within a single business unit. An Organization License allows the same rights within all business units of an organization.
Corporate and Sponsor members: download
You may also be interested in the following business data from LISA:
- LISA Industry Insights Report: The New Breed of Chinese Outsourcers
- LISA Industry Insights Report: Globalization Services in Russia
- Outsourcing Best Practices: QA of Localized Software
- Ask the Experts: 7 Steps to Successfully Managing Partners East and West
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