Pervasive Code

Technical Architecture is a Form of Investing. I’m reminded of this sort of thinking because of recent news from RubyConf 2007.
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I’ve written before about tips for offshoring. One specific thing I said to watch for is the bait-and-switch of talent: during the sales process you’re shown rockstars, but the real code you get is written by clueless newbies. When you set up a project such that you’ve minimized the cost per hour of development, but you don’t have anyone checking the work product (i.e. code reviews) coming from the subcontractor, very bad things happen.
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Most of his rules are applicable to generic software consulting.

Josh’s Rules (of Database Contracting)

With all of the zillions of companies building “widgets” for MySpace, Bebo, etc., it’s only a matter of time before the gray-hat crowd starts to see the dollar signs. Maybe they already have. But it seems like a large waste of effort for all of those strange little VC-funded startups playing remora to MySpace’s shark to have to keep figuring out new ways to get their code to embed in MySpace layouts.
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Having just read Why you need to get rid of your freelance developer ASAP, and the comments under it, I can see that people are really clueless about offshoring. It’s a magic box that you put pennies in, and great code comes out a few weeks later!

Having worked for a few companies that sold themselves as “a magic box that you put millions of dollars into, and great code comes out a few weeks later”, I know that this is a serious misconception. Subcontracting is fraught with peril. Offshore subcontracting is fraught with more peril, but it costs less per hour. In both cases, the peril is avoidable, but avoiding it requires that you manage the relationship carefully.

I’ve worked with offshore teams on a couple of occasions, and in one case I was fortunate enough to get sent overseas to work with the team in their own offices. I think I probably have more direct experience with offshoring than most developers or technical project managers, and I’ve seen how offshored projects can go awry, so I thought I’d share some tips for those of you considering offshoring a software project, or those involved with such a situation already.
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