Description:
Project execution is often outsourced to external organizations possessing specialized expertise in planning, allocating resources, and completing projects in an integrated manner faster than the project owner can. Written by a team of authors from the world's largest software outsourcer, this book explains how to: buy and sell outsourcing services, find the right outsourcing partner, effectively execute projects, and benefit from past project experience. It discusses how to leverage the Web to manage and deploy geographically dispersed people, resources, and competencies. It includes two Web-based business models and covers outsourced project management.
Review Quotes:
I have known Vivek Sharma for more than 14 years ... . We joined Infosys within a span of a few months and were part of the same group for 13 years. Over this period, we have worked together on multiple outsourcing projects ... . He is one of the best technology consultants and always carried great respect among customers and peers alike. His advice was an authority of sorts on the subject.
--C. S. Prasad Subramanian, Technology and Management Consultant, Value Advisors Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India
... a deep study into web based and traditional outsourcing. The propounded business models and frameworks, mostly unused and unknown, are sweeping by far and justifiably patented. The future projections and trends are so far-reaching and carry relevance long term. ... a work of art in writing style ... many business related poetic renditions stretch the reader's imagination in interpreting and decoding their somewhat sublime meanings.
--Liz Homewood, Program Producer, News & Media, U.K
Web-Based and Traditional Outsourcing by Vivek Sharma and Varun Sharma published by Infosys and CRC Press far exceeded my expectations and is definitely a recommended read for nearly all managers, but especially those in procurement, product development, IT, and anyone working on the provider side of the sourcing industry. The reason I recommend Web-Based and Traditional Outsourcing can be summarized into four main reasons.
- Sharma has presented outsourcing in a very balanced approach by addressing not only the value proposition but also the issues and concerns from the outsourcing recipient's and provider's perspective.
- Authoritative examples were used extensively as case studies across a wide range of business process outsourcing (BPO) applications as well as more typical IT outsourcing arrangements with more BPO examples than IT examples.
- The factors affecting the outsourcing value proposition for the recipient and provider were covered equally for every outsourcing model imaginable including insourcing, partnerships, onshore outsourcing, nearshore outsourcing, and offshore outsourcing.
- Anyone looking to develop new business models or re-imagine existing business models will find extensive insights and specific details on how web-based outsourcing is being used to by outsourcing recipients and providers to respond to economic downturn with new products, expanded value proposition and improved business operations.
At roughly 400 pages readers who are not involved in product development, procurement or IT management will still find a lot of value in picking up Web-Based and Traditional Outsourcing because the chapters are clearly organized so you can do some targeted reading. If you are already in a sourcing relationship or just considering the benefits of outsourcing, the sections on vendor selection, choosing a sourcing model, contracting, and ongoing operations including considerations for the various models, roles and responsibilities, and key success factors will be especially useful to you.
--The Higher Ed CIO, March 2012