Common Pain Points in Software Development Outsourcing
Last updated: March 31, 2024 Read in fullscreen view
Recommended for you
- 01 Oct 2020
Fail fast, learn faster with Agile methodology 864 - 18 Oct 2020 How to use the "Knowns" and "Unknowns" technique to manage assumptions 813
- 01 Nov 2023 Difference between Vendor and Subcontractor 801
- 14 Oct 2021 Advantages and Disadvantages of Time and Material Contract (T&M) 703
- 15 Oct 2022 Project-based team model for one-off and pilot software development projects 672
- 19 Oct 2021 Is gold plating good or bad in project management? 671
- 08 Oct 2022 KPI - The New Leadership 514
- 19 Apr 2021 7 Most Common Time-Wasters For Software Development 513
- 19 Mar 2021 Selective Outsourcing of IT Functions - a new trend in business outsourcing 443
- 16 Dec 2021 Why outsource Python development of your project? 432
- 08 Feb 2022 Software Development: Fixed Cost or Opportunity Cost? 411
- 19 Oct 2020 The hidden costs of outsourcing software development 408
- 28 Dec 2021 8 types of pricing models in software development outsourcing 388
- 10 May 2021 What are things you should look for in a good IT outsourcing company? 380
- 03 Oct 2020 Outsourcing Your MVP Development - Streamlined Solutions for future 373
- 14 Dec 2021 The Top 10 Problems with Outsourcing Implementation and How to Solve Them 364
- 31 Oct 2021 Tips to Fail Fast With Outsourcing 359
- 11 Jan 2024 What are the Benefits and Limitations of Augmented Intelligence? 356
- 15 Aug 2021 TIGO Rate Formula - Things the partners should know 353
- 12 May 2021 The Real Cost Between Outsourcing IT vs In-House: A Quick Comparison 348
- 06 Oct 2021 Intellectual property issues with outsourcing software development 345
- 23 Sep 2021 INFOGRAPHIC: Top 9 Software Outsourcing Mistakes 338
- 01 Sep 2019 Outsourcing Software To Vietnam: Facts, benefits and limitations 326
- 10 Dec 2023 Pain points of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) 322
- 24 Nov 2021 What is the Actual Cost of Hiring Cheap Developers? 320
- 06 Feb 2021 Why fail fast and learn fast? 311
- 22 Mar 2022 8 Mistakes Marketing Agencies or Consulting Firms Make When Outsourcing Web Development 307
- 03 Nov 2021 7 phases of Odoo Implementation and Development: Can they be outsourced? 300
- 13 Oct 2021 Why Outsourcing Software Development Services Is Gaining Traction With Non-Technical Leaders? 287
- 31 Dec 2021 Outsourcing Software Development to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 284
- 01 Jan 2023 4 New IT Outsourcing Pricing Models to consider in 2023 282
- 13 Dec 2020 Move fast, fail fast, fail-safe 280
- 12 Oct 2021 Vietnam outsourcing path - the silk road connecting ASEAN with the developed countries (EU, US, Japan...) 279
- 21 Oct 2021 Advantages and Disadvantages of IT Outsourcing 279
- 25 Nov 2021 Low-Cost Software Development: Buy Nice or Buy Twice? 267
- 02 Mar 2021 Estimate the Cost of Software Development 262
- 04 Jan 2021 VIETNAM AS A BIG ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION IN THE FIELD OF OUTSOURCING 260
- 03 Nov 2022 Top questions and answers you must know before ask for software outsourcing 253
- 01 Mar 2022 Top 5 reasons why outsourcing to Vietnam is a smart move 252
- 12 Jan 2023 Top 10 Trustworthy IT Outsourcing Companies in Vietnam 250
- 17 Feb 2022 Prioritizing Software Requirements with Kano Analysis 244
- 05 Jan 2022 What Outsourcing Engagement Model is Right For You? 242
- 08 Oct 2024 Vietnam: The Rising Star in Global Outsourcing – Trends and Costs for 2025 237
- 01 Apr 2021 IT Outsourcing to vietnam: Why It Is A Good Choice? 235
- 01 Jan 2023 Top 5 IT outsourcing countries in 2023 235
- 01 Jan 2023 Top Software Development Challenges in 2023 229
- 21 Aug 2022 Forbes: IT Outsourcing Hotspot: Vietnam, A Small But Mighty Powerhouse 227
- 18 Aug 2022 What are the consequences of poor requirements with software development projects? 224
- 10 Mar 2021 The 7 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid Before Outsourcing a Web Development Project 219
- 10 May 2021 Project Audit and Second Opinion Services 218
- 06 Nov 2019 How to Access Software Project Size? 215
- 30 Dec 2022 Top 6 Reasons to Partner with TIGOSOFT 212
- 01 Jan 2023 Software Development Outsourcing Trends to Watch Out for in 2023 210
- 16 Mar 2021 Outsource Data Engineering Services - TIGO Streamlined Solutions 209
- 01 Oct 2022 Vietnam is a favorite supply of IT outsourcing services to Japan 205
- 10 Nov 2022 Poor Code Indicators and How to Improve Your Code? 200
- 04 Apr 2024 Unlock Vietnamese-Japanese outsourcing potential 199
- 26 Dec 2023 Improving Meeting Effectiveness Through the Six Thinking Hats 180
- 21 Oct 2022 Outsourcing Billable Rate 179
- 02 Nov 2023 What are the pros and cons of iIT outsourcing? 175
- 01 Jan 2023 Why is Vietnam the Top IT Outsourcing Destination of 2023? 174
- 01 Mar 2023 Bug Prioritization - What are the 5 levels of priority? 171
- 17 Oct 2020 How Outsourcing can Improve Time Management for Better Business 169
- 08 Aug 2021 Why Nearshore Software Development is better than In-House Development? 167
- 01 Feb 2023 [InfoWorld] Is your outsourcer agile enough? 165
- 13 Jan 2023 What are the Hourly Rates in Offshore Software Development? 156
- 09 Jan 2021 How can outsourcing enable business agility? 153
- 01 Jan 2024 What The World Is Flat Means to IT Outsourcing 149
- 03 Jan 2023 IT Outsourcing Costs: Is outsourcing really cost-effective? 147
- 01 May 2023 Streamline Your Business with Outsourcing 145
- 01 Jan 2024 Tech Partnerships: Choosing the Right Software Outsourcing Firm in Vietnam 144
- 01 Jan 2024 Hiring Tech Talents in Asia: An Overview of Skills, Costs, and Potential 142
- 08 Jan 2024 Outsourcing on an As-Needed Basis 136
- 01 Jan 2024 12 reasons for software development outsourcing 135
- 17 Jan 2024 What are the benefits and challenges of using multi-sourcing or single-sourcing strategies? 134
- 15 Nov 2023 IT Staff Augmentation Types and the Best Choice for Your Business 133
- 05 Jan 2024 Easy ASANA tips & tricks for you and your team 132
- 28 Oct 2022 Expect the unexpected in 2023 - How Outsourcing Can Help? 132
- 01 Jan 2024 Software Outsourcing Questions for 2024 132
- 06 Feb 2024 What are benefits and drawbacks of co-creating solutions with your clients? 132
- 07 Nov 2024 Outsourcing Crisis Looming: Will Trump's Policies Transform the Global IT Landscape? 130
- 10 Jan 2024 Facts Chart: Reasons for outsourcing 119
- 09 Sep 2022 Close Collaboration and Communication Can Overcome the Challenges of Distributed Teams 109
- 11 Jan 2024 Entering the Japanese Market: Stacking the Deck and Setting Expectations 104
- 12 Mar 2024 How do you create FOMO in software prospects? 97
- 14 Mar 2024 Why should you opt for software localization from a professional agency? 85
- 02 May 2021 Outsourcing Software Development: Avoid 8 Mistakes 81
- 21 Aug 2025 Top 30 Oldest IT Outsourcing Companies in Vietnam 53
- 01 Jun 2025 10 Sustainable & Unique IT Outsourcing Companies in Vietnam 51
Absence of a proper software development plan
This is pretty self-explanatory. Without a predetermined timeline with progress checkpoints mapped out, it is only a matter of time before the project wanders off the original path and loses sight of its true goal
Lack of trust between Client and Vendor
When you choose to outsource your project, the thought that constantly strikes your mind is: “I need to be there in the office and gauge them face-to-face before I seal the deal” – And that’s how entrepreneurs often express their fear regarding outsourcing.
But the reality is that almost 50% of the employees would be working off-site as remote developers by the year 2020.
Developing trust takes time, especially when your team is entirely out of your eye contact. However, there are ways to get better acquainted with your future team. Let’s find out how.
Fake resumes and overstated capabilities
Yes, there are outsourcing companies out there that do this, unfortunately. These companies exaggerate their profiles and skill sets in order to attract clients to their services. Clients, on the other hand, realise they have been tricked only when the development is already underway and their outsourced team cannot deliver what is asked of them.
Too cheap rates
In a bid to save expenditure, don't sabotage your product. Usually, the cheapest ones are the worst. After all, it is the value in exchange for money. Selecting the most inexpensive services might compromise the quality of a product. Surf through various software development rates and calculate an average to regard it as a reference point.
The language barrier, Time zone differences & cultural fit
A thoroughly professional proficient English-speaking team is not easy to find. 3rd party services will give assurances about their team's proficiency in English, but it is not as accurate as they claim.
Time zone differences are a common and frequent facet of outsourcing software development, and occasionally, the outsourcing company sets the tone. But time zone differences also affect product delivery deadlines and seamless communication between teams.
Culturally fit is a significant pain point when hiring an offshore outsourcing vendor company. Too many cultural differences and diverse mindsets can lead to botched communication and drain your energy and resources.
Most of the risks emerge when delegating a software project to a 3rd party developer team for the first time. A 3rd party service provider who can understand product requirements, client expectations, respect contracts, and IP rights, build a well-structured development team, and working model is a wish-cone-true. Being meticulous at the early stages will help you prevent mishaps and pain points. Also, it's about time you understand the importance of developing a partnership with your vendor.
Difficulties in tracking progress
In relation to Pain Point #2, there’s also the difficulty of tracking the progress of the outsourced teams. With an unreliable outsourcing company, clients have a hard time assessing the performance of their outsourced team and making sure they are clocking in the required hours to work on the project.
MicroManagement
When you form a partnership, there’s always the risk of one partner attempting to overstep and want to be the sole controller of the project. But it’s important to remember that this is a team effort. After you’ve looked into your software development team’s credentials, experience, and skills, you need to trust that they know what they’re doing.
That doesn’t mean you don’t get a say, though. Ultimately, your business is the face of this product, so it’s natural to be concerned about the end result. In order to keep anyone from micromanaging, ensure that there are frequent updates and that the lines of communication are kept open at all times. You should feel confident in entrusting your project to your developer, but you should also feel comfortable asking questions.
Refusal to Share Responsibility
On the subject of partnerships, bear in mind that this is, truly, a joint effort, and you must both shoulder the responsibility of the venture. The software development team is responsible for delivering a product that meets your requirements and specifications in the agreed-upon timeframe, and you, the business, are responsible for equipping them with the information and tools they need to complete the job.
In order to make sure you’re both sharing the burden, articulate the terms of your arrangement in your initial contract, including who is responsible for what. This is also another paint point that requires constant communication from both partners, ensuring you each live up to your side of the bargain.
No software development relationship or agreement is without hiccups. You may well encounter these and other complications during the project. But with this as your roadmap, you’ll be well-equipped to resolve any issues that come your way as you and your software development team build your next great product — together.
FAQ - Ask the Experts
What is the difference between gain point and pain point?
Gains – the benefits which the customer expects and needs, what would delight customers and the things which may increase likelihood of adopting a value proposition. Pains – the negative experiences, emotions and risks that the customer experiences in the process of getting the job done.
What is the difference between a pain point and a bottleneck?
Process pain points refer to issues with internal processes and systems in place. Operational inefficiencies can cause various bottlenecks including lost productivity, disorganization, and inconsistent workflows.
What is the opposite of pain points in business?
And your marketing, sales, and product development will suffer if you don't spend time identifying and communicating that you understand your customers' pain points. Pleasure points, on the other hand, represent a “nice-to-have” benefit. Pleasure points are a key way to get attention from your Most Valued Customers, especially in a “saturated” market which needs business traction to succeed.
What are the differences between touchpoints and pain points?
Touchpoint (also touch point, contact point, point of contact) is business jargon for any encounter where customers and business engage to exchange information, provide service, or handle transactions.
Emotions are the feelings that the customer experiences at each touchpoint, such as satisfaction, frustration, delight, or disappointment. Pain points are the problems or challenges that the customer faces at each touchpoint, such as confusion, delay, error, or dissatisfaction.
Explore more on these topics
Guest Blogging: The Definitive Guide
Top Trending Topics
Share This
Recently Updated News
