Outsourcing SharePoint Development: Pros, Cons, and How-Tos

Introduction

SharePoint is a powerful platform for building intranet sites, collaboration portals, and custom business applications. However, developing and maintaining a SharePoint solution can be a complex and time-consuming task. Many organizations choose to outsource their SharePoint development to specialized agencies to save time, reduce costs, and ensure high-quality results. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of outsourcing SharePoint development and provide some tips on how to successfully outsource your SharePoint projects.

Pros of Outsourcing SharePoint Development

Outsourcing SharePoint development offers several advantages for organizations:

• Cost savings: Outsourcing SharePoint development can be more cost-effective than hiring an in-house team. By outsourcing, you can avoid the costs of recruiting, training, and retaining employees.
• Access to specialized expertise: SharePoint development agencies have extensive experience and expertise in building SharePoint solutions. They can provide valuable insights and best practices to ensure the success of your project.
• Time savings: Outsourcing allows you to focus on your core business activities while the SharePoint development agency takes care of the technical aspects. This can save you a significant amount of time and effort.
• Flexibility and scalability: Outsourcing gives you the flexibility to scale your SharePoint development resources up or down based on your project requirements. You can easily ramp up or downsize your team without any long-term commitments.
• High-quality results: SharePoint development agencies have a dedicated team of professionals who are experienced in delivering high-quality SharePoint solutions. They follow industry best practices and ensure that your project meets your requirements and expectations.

Cons of Outsourcing SharePoint Development

While outsourcing SharePoint development has many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:

• Lack of control: When you outsource your SharePoint development, you may have less control over the development process. Communication and collaboration with the development team become crucial to ensure that your requirements are met.
• Dependency on the outsourcing partner: Outsourcing your SharePoint development means relying on an external partner. If the partnership does not work out or the agency fails to deliver as expected, it can cause delays and disruptions to your project.
• Security and confidentiality concerns: SharePoint often contains sensitive business data and information. When outsourcing, you need to ensure that the agency has proper security measures in place to protect your data and maintain confidentiality.
• Potential cultural and language barriers: If you outsource your SharePoint development to a different country, you may encounter cultural and language barriers that can affect communication and collaboration.
• Integration challenges: Integrating the outsourced SharePoint solution with your existing systems and processes can be challenging. It requires careful planning and coordination to ensure a seamless integration.

How to Successfully Outsource SharePoint Development

To ensure a successful outsourcing experience for your SharePoint development projects, consider the following tips:

1. Define your requirements: Clearly define your project requirements, objectives, and expectations before outsourcing. This will help you communicate your needs effectively to the SharePoint development agency.
2. Research and select a reliable agency: Do thorough research and select a SharePoint development agency with a proven track record and positive client reviews. Look for agencies that specialize in SharePoint development and have experience in your industry.
3. Establish clear communication channels: Establish clear communication channels with the SharePoint development agency to ensure effective collaboration. Regularly communicate your project updates, requirements, and feedback to keep everyone on the same page.
4. Set realistic timelines and milestones: Set realistic timelines and milestones for your SharePoint development project. This will help you track progress and ensure that the project stays on schedule.
5. Monitor progress and provide feedback: Regularly monitor the progress of your SharePoint development project and provide timely feedback to the agency. This will help address any issues or concerns early on and ensure that the project is on track.
6. Ensure proper documentation and knowledge transfer: Ensure that the SharePoint development agency provides proper documentation and knowledge transfer at the end of the project. This will help you maintain and support the solution in the future.

Conclusion

Outsourcing SharePoint development can be a strategic decision for organizations looking to save costs, access specialized expertise, and achieve high-quality results. However, it is important to carefully consider the pros and cons and follow best practices to ensure a successful outsourcing experience. By defining your requirements, selecting a reliable agency, establishing clear communication channels, setting realistic timelines, monitoring progress, and ensuring proper documentation, you can maximize the benefits of outsourcing SharePoint development and achieve your project goals.