Using Nearshore, Agile, and Lean to Get the Most Out of Software Projects (Part 2)

In the first part of this post, I discussed the benefits of combining Agile methodologies and Lean principles in Nearshore application development. The second half will take this idea a step further, examining additional ways that this combination of Agile and Lean in Nearshore can deliver business value.

Any successful Lean application development project aims to avoid waste. Many offshore engagements generate waste in the form of extensive documentation, while time difference can also be a significant hurdle to the efficient completion of projects. The lack of overlap in working hours creates significant lag in the ability of the provider to interact with the client, thereby hampering the goal of using Agile development to deliver better software at a faster pace.

Because of the overlap in working hours between the client and the provider, Nearshore reduces waiting time for answers to questions or access to deliverables to the bare minimum, increasing the efficiency of every development project. This enables better realization of Agile methodologies like Scrum, as sprints are completed faster and each iteration of software is delivered without delay. Development teams can make on-the-fly changes with just a phone call, while clients can approve the applications, deliver new specifications and address any issues with the requirements in minutes – not hours.

The efficiency and improved communication made possible by Nearshore all add up to one thing: greater value for the client’s business. Nearshore enables better employment of Lean principles, which emphasize providing value through the elimination of waste (including excessive documentation and features that don’t impact the business) in the value chain. Projects are delivered on-time and on-budget, with a total cost that typically ends up being lower than those touted by offshore providers. Most importantly, the client doesn’t pay for costly features it doesn’t need, and receives only those that will add value to the business.

The truth is that offshore engagements, while leveraging the huge difference in labor costs between the eastern and western hemispheres, often result in inefficient delivery of applications and excessive waste in development cycles. Nearshore provides an opportunity for a more efficient development process and value-driven applications, ultimately resulting in far better business results for the client.