Outsource It!

The Outsourcer’s Toolbox

Throughout this book we’ve been talking about “soft” tools, such as processes, procedures, and techniques. Now let’s briefly touch on “hard” tools—the software that can be used to manage your outsourcing engagement. With a drum roll, please—the Magnificent Seven:

Version control system. You might already have version controls in place, and engaging in outsourcing activities will not necessarily warrant any changes. However, the challenges of version control within a distributed team may be more than your current software can handle. In most cases, a web-based version control system with optimistic locking, such as Subversion, is all you need. If you’re dealing with many developers, you may want a system designed for ...