How to Choose the Right Outsourcing Model

Outsourcing quality assurance allows you to reduce costs without sacrificing software quality and deliver a reliable product in the shortest possible time. However, the transition to outsourcing can be difficult. 

To help you know what to prepare for, we will discuss the most common pitfalls and analyze popular models that you can resort to. Understanding the differences between strategies and choosing the best one for your project is often the key to success.

Outsourcing Testing: Main Pros and Cons

Large software development companies may have quality assurance engineers on staff, but lack specialized talent. Small companies may lack testing specialists due to limited budgets. Since neglecting testing is the worst idea, outsourcing becomes the solution for both cases.

It involves delegating part or all of the testing process to a third-party vendor, which helps to conduct thorough product testing without hiring additional staff or significantly increasing the budget. While there are many advantages, there are some significant drawbacks.

For example, when working with an outsourcing company, you risk having little control over the process. In addition, your budget can easily go over the limit if you don’t discuss the details in advance. 

Regardless of the potential challenges, software testing outsourcing is still a suitable option. The trick is to choose the right model for your needs.

Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing an Outsourcing Model 

Before you choose a model, take a close look at your project. Start with its size and complexity. A small project with clear goals needs a different approach than a large, evolving product. Think about your timeline as well. If deadlines are tight, you may need a model that allows quick scaling. The budget is just as important. Some models offer cost predictability, while others give more flexibility but can grow expensive over time.

You should also consider your internal resources. Do you already have a QA team, or are you starting from scratch? Decide how much control you want to keep over the process. Some models require active involvement, while others shift most responsibility to the vendor. Finally, think about communication. If your team and the vendor are in different time zones or have different work styles, it can affect the workflow. Clear expectations early on will save you trouble later.

The 5 Common Outsourcing Models

Here are some of the most popular models to help you identify their key differences, strengths, and weaknesses.

1. Fixed Price Agreements

It involves a clear agreement with a fixed fee for the implementation of a testing project by a third-party company within a specified time frame. In other words, the developer undertakes to perform software testing according to the requirements, while you have to pay for their work.

The advantages of the approach are obvious. You do not face unforeseen costs and minimize the risk of untimely testing. However, you have limited flexibility due to the lack of participation in the process, and need intensive planning to prevent going beyond the planned budget.

2. Staff Augmentation

By choosing staff augmentation, you get an additional team that will work closely with your employees on the project. That is, you do not transfer authority completely, but only get extra talents that integrate into your work processes.

This option works well when you need to:

• Temporarily expand your team.
• Meet tight deadlines.
• Undergo digital transformation.

While staff augmentation is a flexible model that helps improve overall team processes, it can significantly increase your budget and make you dependent on third-party help. Before you commit to it, discuss the methodologies for testing the teams use, their experience, and the feedback mechanism.

3. Time and Material Model

This model is well-suited for teams with limited resources who need short-term help. Its essence is very simple: you regularly pay for the specific work you need. Simply put, you do not hire additional teams, do not delegate a large part of the responsibilities, but only add tasks for third-party testers when you need them.

The advantages of the model include predictable payment for specific work and a flexible approach to delegation. The disadvantages are the possibility of extra costs and weak vendor involvement when most of the obligations remain with the customer's company.

4. Dedicated Development Teams

If you need to outsource the entire testing process to a third-party company without spending time on long planning, this model is the best fit. It involves attracting specialized teams that can quickly expand your capabilities, do not require long adaptation, and take full responsibility for the process.

Unlike previous approaches, this one is more long-term and cost-effective. It becomes an option for companies that have a critical shortage of skills and personnel. Such teams work quickly and give good results. However, the strategy does not have a fixed price, so you should be prepared for a rapid increase in the budget.

5. Offshore Development Center

Offshoring is another proven approach to software testing. Its goal is to find the right talent overseas and bring them to your project. By going offshore, you gain access to an unlimited pool of engineers and can keep your expenses down through lower labor costs.

However, keep communication in mind. Given the cultural differences, it can be harder than you think. To overcome obstacles, you need to carefully plan and choose communication channels in advance.

Conclusion

The choice of an outsourced model depends on many factors. These include the complexity of the project, the need for flexibility, and the available budget. If you have limited financial resources, focus on fixed-budget approaches. If you have a very large or complex project, you should look at foreign talent to find testers who can help. Assess your real capabilities and needs to take the right next step.

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