How to outsource pieces of a web project

Question

I would like to outsource pieces of a new web application/site. I don't want one company working on the whole project because they can easily change a few things and sell the software to someone else. I will be using a freelenace website like elance or guru. A buddy of mine has given me this advice but he did not say how this can be done. Any ideas on how to go about this?

Answer 1

It really depends on how your project is set up and what you need done. I personally would suggest that you find a provider in your own country and have them sign a contract; this way they're in the jurisdiction of your courts if they screw you.

But since cost seems to be of importance here, I'll give you a few pointers from my experience.

First, it looks like you're using an MVC pattern, which means that the (business) logic, database, and output are separated.

1. You could, for example, give your provider (remote) access to your database and have them further develop the models.

2. Or you could give your provider access to the views and work on the layout, independent from everything else.

3. Lastly, you could give your provider remote access to the database and have them develop the control structures.

Keep in mind that when you deal with offshore, any contract you sign probably isn't very binding because it's outside your courts' jurisdiction, allegations are hard to prove, and international litigation is even more spendy than domestic litigation.

Regardless of how you approach this, make sure you select a trustworthy provider with good (and copious) feedback and beware providers that promise they can do everything you ever ask of them.

If you post more information on what you're doing and how everything is set up, I'll be happy to revise or extend my reply, and I'm sure others will appreciate that as well and provide you with additional feedback and insight :)

Answer 2

You should use a version control software such as SVN. That way you can create separate branches for your outsource vendors. You can have multiple branches in progress at the same time and then merge them in once they meet your acceptance criteria. All work is kept separate between multiple outsource vendors, while your core team can work off of the main trunk.