Building a Systems Development Team - Outsourcing

Can’t we just hire somebody to do this for us? The answer is more complex than a simple "Yes" or "No."

Steve Jost Profile Picture
Share
Contributors Chris Hodge Profile PictureChris Hodge David Brown Profile PictureDavid Brown
  1. Outsourcing the development work will still require a significant amount of resources from your internal team. The team will have to describe the process they are trying to automate with enough detail for a third party to efficiently and expertly step in. Your team will also be involved in support activities, including testing and training.
  2. Larger contractors are now starting to make acquisitions of technology companies rather than outsourcing to a third party. This allows them to more tightly control the results of the system development process (which they view as a competitive advantage).
  3. If you want to test the waters in outsourcing some development tasks or functions, start slowly (and small), with well-defined requirements and carefully managing expectations. You can spend a ton of money in “change orders” if you are not careful!

This is Part 11 of an 18-Part Series


Topics Covered in the Series Include:

  • Clarification
  • Software
  • Best Fit
  • Risk
  • Applications

All relationships start with a simple conversation. Let’s schedule some time to talk about your specific challenges and opportunities.


Building a Systems Development Team - Outsourcing
Construction technology innovation is accelerating and the contractors that learn how to effectively integrate technology into every aspect of their business will dominate tomorrow. ...

Building a Systems Development Team - Outsourcing
Construction technology innovation is accelerating and the contractors that learn how to effectively integrate technology into every aspect of their business will dominate tomorrow. ...

Org Structure Planning (50%)
Planning for a 50% organizational structure is valuable both for contingency planning and for highlighting growth opportunities. Constraints breed creativity, and there is no greater constraint than talent.
Everything is Too Complex - Until You Practice Enough
There is no question that construction is becoming more complex. We don’t do ourselves or others any favors by not coming to terms with that complexity. We must get comfortable learning the complexities before we can work on simplification.
The ABCs of Strategic Market Choices
Strategic Market Choices for where a contractor chooses to play must be balanced between diverse enough, large enough, and focused enough. These are the highest leveraged decisions that leaders of construction businesses make.