Engaging an onshore or offshore IT service provider involves a degree of trust, regardless of due diligence efforts. You rely on your chosen partner to deliver the promised high-quality services. While legal contracts are essential, the integrity of the outsourcing company is paramount. Unfortunately, standard corporate profiles and credit reports don’t measure integrity.
When considering offshore IT staff augmentation or support, be mindful of these critical questions:
1. Will I receive the agreed-upon billable hours?
2. Is my intellectual property adequately protected?
3. Will the vendor provide genuinely qualified professionals?
4. Will billing rates increase after my team trains the offshore staff?
5. Can I readily contact the vendor for immediate support?
6. Will the vendor collaborate effectively during challenging times?
7. Is the vendor’s country politically, socially, and economically stable?
8. Are currency exchange rates a significant concern?
9. Is the country safe for business travel?
10. Is the vendor’s location within the country secure?
11. What are the costs associated with business travel to the offshore location?
12. What are the expenses for offshore professionals traveling to the U.S.?
13. Can professionals at this location obtain U.S. passports and visas for U.S. visits?
14. Are U.S. contracts legally enforceable in the vendor’s country?
15. How long does it take for team members to acquire visas and passports for training and onsite orientation in the U.S.?
16. What are the total visa and passport costs for the offshore team?
17. Will the offshore team have a dedicated, experienced offshore project manager?
18. Is the vendor a financially stable company with strong leadership?
19. Does the vendor possess the interpersonal skills necessary to collaborate effectively with my company?
20. Does the vendor’s executive management team speak English, respond promptly, and share your sense of urgency?
21. Will the vendor’s team and executive management be accessible during your workday, even on short notice?
22. Can the vendor scale to accommodate your company’s growing needs?
23. Does the vendor carry commercial liability and errors and omissions insurance?
24. Is the vendor able to obtain commercial liability insurance in their country?
25. Will the vendor operate within your workday time zone?
26. Does the company maintain a secure network infrastructure?
27. Is their network professionally designed and protected by firewalls?
28. Is the physical facility secure?
29. Are extreme weather conditions likely to disrupt travel, security, or work schedules?
30. Does the location pose a natural disaster risk to your business operations?
31. Will the vendor adapt flexibly to your evolving requirements?
Even with a comprehensive contract, avoid international litigation or arbitration if possible. Unless your needs are clearly defined and unchanging (a rarity), contractual requirements should be kept general to avoid constant revisions.
Strong relationships are crucial for clear communication in any offshore project. Cultivating dependable relationships built on integrity, trust, cultural respect, and a shared sense of urgency is key to a successful offshore team.