In outsourced software development, knowledge transfer is an efficient way out of a situation where offshore employees failing to acquire quickly sufficient knowledge of the systems, the corporate culture, the industry, etc. Here’s what it takes:
1. Controlled transition process
2. Weekly meetings for transition team to review milestones
3. Right mix of offshore/onsite resources; controlled handoffs
4. Web-based knowledge/task management and other collaborative systems
5. Established process for transferring knowledge and resources back in-house
6. Updated tool and application licenses to support multiple sites
Knowledge transfer is an extremely important aspect of any outsourcing program management, particularly if documentation is lacking. The time and effort to transfer knowledge and subject-matter information to the service provider is a cost rarely accounted for by IT executives. Both parties must establish a communication framework to transfer knowledge on objectives, issues, updates and results of an outsourcing engagement.
There are more things risks and their mitigation strategies that outsourcing vendors should keep in mind. Download the white paper to learn more.
