Thursday, April 3, 2014

Chapter 19: Outsourcing in The 21st Century

Outsourcing Projects
Insourcing (in-house-development) - A common approach using the professional expertise within an organization to develop and maintain the organization's information technology systems.
Outsourcing - An arrangement by which one organization provides a service or services for another organization that chooses not to perform them in-house.

Reasons companies outsource.



The three different forms of outsourcing options a project must consider are:
  • Onshore outsourcing - Engaging another company within the same country for services.
  • Nearshore outsourcing - Contracting an outsourcing arrangement with a company in a nearby country.
  • Offshore outsourcing - Using organizations from developing countries to write code and develop systems.


Big selling point for offshore outsourcing "inexpensive good work".


Factors driving outsourcing growth include:
  • Core competencies.
  • Financial savings.
  • Rapid growth.
  • Industry changes.
  • The Internet.
  • Globalization.


Most organizations outsource their noncore business functions such as payroll and IT.



Outsourcing Benefits
  • Increased quality and efficiency a process, service or function.
  • Reduced operating expenses.
  • Resources focused on core profit-generating competencies.
  • Reduced exposure to risks involved with large capital investments.
  • Access to outsourcing services provider's economies of scale.
  • Access to outsourcing services provider's expertise and best-in-class practices.
  • Access to advanced technologies.
  • Increased flexibility with the ability to respond quickly to changing market demands.
  • No costly outlay of capital funds.
  • Reduced head count and associated overhead expense.
  • Reduced frustration and expense related to hiring and retaining employees in an exceptionally tight job market.
  • Reduced time to market for products or services.


Outsourcing Challenges

Contract length
Causes three particular issues:
  • Difficulties in getting out of a contract.
  • Problems in foreseeing future needs.
  • Problems in reforming an internal IT department after the contract is finished.
Competitive edge.
Confidentiality.
Scope definition.

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