Agile Outsourcing Projects: Structure and Management

Abstract

Agile methods are lightweight, iterative software development frameworks used predominantly on small- and mid-sized software development projects. This article introduces a project structure and management practices creating Agile conditions for large software projects outsourced either offshore or onshore. Agility is achieved by slicing a large project into a number of small-sized projects working in Agile settings. Development is divided into R&D activities, located onsite, and production activities, located offsite. The proposed approach makes Agile applicable to the stressed conditions of outsourcing without compromising the quality or pace of the software development effort. Creating an Agile environment in an outsourcing project relies on maintaining a balance between the functions and sizes of onsite and offsite teams, on redefining the developers’ roles, and on reorganizing the information flow between the different development activities to compensate for the lack of customer onsite, team co-location, and tacit project knowledge.