Outsourcing, Offshoring, Are you In?
Much has been written lately about the pros and cons of outsourcing (and outsourcing your life). Tim Ferriss' book, The 4-Hour Work Week covers outsourcing part of your workload (and parts of your personal workload), via a Personal Assistant. You may not agree with everything he has to say, but it'll definitely get you thinking. I for one, wouldn't entrust someone to handle my personal affairs remotely which would require me giving them access and/or logins to banking accounts, my SSN, etc.
Recently, the WSJ did a write up on Outsourcing Your Life that included a nice summary graphic of their experiences using independent contractors in India and elsewhere.
Test 1: Team Logo Design
$175
"...it took a few tries to get there". "A good deal--if you're willing to be very specific about the looking you're going for"
That's good advice when using an Indian firm, or an American firm for that matter. Perhaps the premium you pay an American firm goes towards "Mind Reading". Then again, the first draft had the team name misspelled. If you're willing to deal with no-brainer mistakes like that, you should be able to work with an Indian firm. If mistakes like that drive you crazy, I'd stay away. Also, multiple revisions (read: corrections) delay your project, so if you're working on a tight timeline, you're better off working with a firm (offshore or not) that you're familiar with or comes highly recommended.
Test 2: Personal Website for a Sportswriter
$125
"... he misspelled the writer's name" (I see a theme). "... and didn't create a sporty look".
From the screen shot, it looks like it was a site for WSJ sports writer Russell Adams, however I wasn't able to find this site via Google. I was however able to find the personal website of 8-year old Russell Adams. Remember to ask about Search Engine Optimization when someone builds your website.
Making It Work
In my experience, the more specifics you can provide the offshore/outsource team, the better your project will turn out (ala Mr. Spolsky). If you leave out some crucial details, don't assume someone will always fill in the blanks.
If you subscribe to the Getting Real philosophy, you can leverage that mindset as well:
"So what should you do in place of a spec? Go with a briefer alternative that moves you toward something real. Write a one page story about what the app needs to do. Use plain language and make it quick. If it takes more than a page to explain it, then it's too complex. This process shouldn't take more than one day.
Then begin building the interface — the interface will be the alternative to the functional spec. Draw some quick and simple paper sketches. Then start coding it into HTML. Unlike paragraphs of text that are open to alternate interpretations, interface designs are common ground that everyone can agree on."
