How to Manage Third-Party Risk when Outsourcing Your Software Development

Outsourcing your software development needs to third-party vendors can be risky. To minimize that risk, it's crucial to plan ahead and communicate openly with your outsourcing partner. This article highlights the business advantages of choosing third-party developers, such as cost savings and scalability, but also covers the risks and how to manage them. The risks include business data protection, partnership agreements, due diligence, communication, leadership, milestones and processes, skillset, design, and quality assurance risks. Minimizing risk factors requires careful planning, clear communication, and a willingness to learn quickly from mistakes. Finally, the author shares tips on how to choose a reliable software development provider, including doing research, examining past clients, and paying close attention to contractual details.