Resources from Accelerance

Software IT Outsourcing Readiness Test
Accelerance

 

 

Software IT Outsourcing Readiness Test

How Accelerance can help . . . "; $solution["2a"] = "You need to get the expert and objective advice to guide you through the outsourcing process - from selecting the right team, to managing them for successful results.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["3a"] = "You need a set of useful criteria to evaluate and pick the team that best fits your situation.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["4a"] = "You need to train your project managers on outsourcing communication to ensure you get great results from your outsourcing team.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["5a"] = "You need cross cultural training to overcome biases and misunderstandings to improve communication and efficiency.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["6a"] = "You need to have an expert to review your requirements and specifications to ensure you have the right information and level of detail to develop your software accurately. The best way to do this is with use cases that describe the sequence of steps users carry out with your software to accomplish specific goals.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["7a"] = "You need to have a software development methodology that gets you started quickly and can accommodate the inevitable changes to features and requirements of your software.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["8a"] = "You need to use source code control and set up a system so you always have secure access to your source code. In addition, you need a hosted web application to manage your entire outsourced software development process.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["9a"] = "You need an outsourcing expert to give you an objective advice about the technical choices for your software and then guidance you need for selecting the best team with expertise with your selected technology.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["10a"] = "Technical expertise can be verified. You can design and run a pilot project to confirm technical expertise.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["11a"] = "Take advantage of model agreements and recommended clauses used by other successful outsourcing engagements in your outsourcing contracts.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["12a"] = "You should use offshore vendors that are only in the service business and whose mission is to create custom software for its clients. They should have no software products whose IP can get mixed up with yours. Some new software tools can protect your IP even when it is being worked on by outsourced engineers offshore.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["13a"] = "You need help on selecting the optimum outsourced team that best fits your cost requirements as well as your technical and business criteria.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["14a"] = "You need an engineering structure and core technical team of employees to manage and direct your outsourcing activities. Also cross-cultural training will help overcome biases and misunderstandings to gain wider acceptance of outsourcing in your organization.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["15a"] = "You should plan for multiple releases of your software, each with an increasing amount of functionality.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["16a"] = "You need help to guide you through a proper allocation of resources on your own team and those offshore.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["17a"] = "You must find the right amount of structure to maintain efficiency while holding your costs low. A combination of junior engineers directed by technical leads and managers gives you the right balance of doers and hands-on managers to keep your team efficient.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["18a"] = "You need what it takes to deliver quality software. It starts with a review of your specifications, unit testing during development and full test-driven development as an option. In addition, software development teams can implement automated regression tests to quickly repeat tests for every software release. A separate outsourced QA team can be used. This is useful for complex systems where an independent third party plays a valuable role in validating the functionality of your software.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["19a"] = "You need help on making a smooth transition to outsourcing with a choice of strategies on how to reassign your existing engineering team.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; $solution["20a"] = "You should define and track metrics to measure productivity and quality of your outsourcing team.
How Accelerance can help . . .
"; //these functions match the values generated by the radio buttons to the corresponding answers $qval1 = $q1; $qval2 = $q2 + 6; $qval3 = $q3 + 12; $qval4 = $q4 + 18; $qval5 = $q5 + 24; $qval6 = $q6 + 30; $qval7 = $q7 + 36; $qval8 = $q8 + 42; $qval9 = $q9 + 48; $qval10 = $q10 + 54; $qval11 = $q11 + 60; $qval12 = $q12 + 66; $qval13 = $q13 + 72; $qval14 = $q14 + 78; $qval15 = $q15 + 84; $qval16 = $q16 + 90; $qval17 = $q17 + 96; $qval18 = $q18 + 102; $qval19 = $q19 + 108; $qval20 = $q20 + 114; //these are the total scores for each section of the test $exp = ($q1 + $q2+ $q3+ $q4+ $q5); $tec = ($q6 + $q7+ $q8+ $q9+$q10); $biz = ($q11+$q12+$q13+$q14+$q15); $man = ($q16+$q17+$q18+$q19+$q20); //these are the width values for the bar graph images $bexp = $exp*16; $btec = $tec*16; $bbiz = $biz*16; $bman = $man*16; //the total test score $total = $q1+$q2+$q3+$q4+$q5+$q6+$q7+$q8+$q9+$q10+$q11+$q12+$q13+$q14+$q15+$q16+$q17+$q18+$q19+$q20; //this logic determines which risks and solutions are sent in the emailed analysis //question 1 if ($q1 < 4) { $email_risk[1] = $risk["1a"]; $email_solution[1] = $solution["1a"]; } //question 2 if ($q2 < 4 and $q2 > 0) { $email_risk[2] = $risk["2b"]; $email_solution[2] = $solution["2a"]; } if ($q2 == 0) { $email_risk[2] = $risk["2a"]; $email_solution[2] = $solution["2a"]; } //question 3 if ($q3 < 4) { $email_risk[3] = $risk["3a"]; $email_solution[3] = $solution["3a"]; } //question 4 if ($q4 < 4) { $email_risk[4] = $risk["4a"]; $email_solution[4] = $solution["4a"]; } //question 5 if ($q5 < 4) { $email_risk[5] = $risk["5a"]; $email_solution[5] = $solution["5a"]; } //question 6 if ($q6 < 4) { $email_risk[6] = $risk["6a"]; $email_solution[6] = $solution["6a"]; } //question 7 if ($q7 < 3) { $email_risk[7] = $risk["7a"]; $email_solution[7] = $solution["7a"]; } if ($q7 < 5 and $q7 > 2) { $email_risk[7] = $risk["7b"]; $email_solution[7] = $solution["7a"]; } //question 8 if ($q8 < 3) { $email_risk[8] = $risk["8a"]; $email_solution[8] = $solution["8a"]; } //question 9 if ($q9 < 4) { $email_risk[9] = $risk["9a"]; $email_solution[9] = $solution["9a"]; } //question 10 if ($q10 < 4) { $email_risk[10] = $risk["10a"]; $email_solution[10] = $solution["10a"]; } //question 11 if ($q11 < 5) { $email_risk[11] = $risk["11a"]; $email_solution[11] = $solution["11a"]; } //question 12 if ($q12 < 3) { $email_risk[12] = $risk["12a"]; $email_solution[12] = $solution["12a"]; } //question 13 if ($q13 < 4) { $email_risk[13] = $risk["13a"]; $email_solution[13] = $solution["13a"]; } //question 14 if ($q14 < 5) { $email_risk[14] = $risk["14a"]; $email_solution[14] = $solution["14a"]; } //question 15 if ($q15 < 4) { $email_risk[15] = $risk["15a"]; $email_solution[15] = $solution["15a"]; } //question 16 if ($q16 < 5) { $email_risk[16] = $risk["16a"]; $email_solution[16] = $solution["16a"]; } //question 17 if ($q17 < 3) { $email_risk[17] = $risk["17a"]; $email_solution[17] = $solution["17a"]; } //question 18 if ($q18 < 3) { $email_risk[18] = $risk["18a"]; $email_solution[18] = $solution["18a"]; } //question 19 if ($q19 < 4) { $email_risk[19] = $risk["19a"]; $email_solution[19] = $solution["19a"]; } //question 20 if ($q20 < 3) { $email_risk[20] = $risk["20a"]; $email_solution[20] = $solution["20a"]; } // Display this message only the first time thru when the total scroe is zero. if ( $total == 0) { PRINT "

Many people jump into outsourcing without knowing what to do."; PRINT "That's one reason over 50% of outsourcing projects fail to meet their cost savings objectives.

"; PRINT "

How about you? Are you ready for outsourcing? "; PRINT "To help you decide, Accelerance created the outsourcing readiness test below. It’s free."; PRINT "It has twenty multiple choice questions covering four key areas of outsourcing know-how.

"; PRINT "

It takes only a few minutes to complete and your score may surprise you."; PRINT "When you provide your name and email address you will receive a complete analysis of your test results "; PRINT "showing the outsourcing risks you face. The analysis will also help you discover the areas "; PRINT "of outsourcing knowledge you should improve before you outsource your software development.

"; } //this conditional displays the test results and sends a notification to readiness@accelerance.com when the test has been taken if ( $total > 0) { PRINT "
"; PRINT "
"; PRINT "

"; PRINT "Your Overall Outsourcing Readiness Score is $total out of a total possible of 100
"; PRINT "

"; PRINT "

"; PRINT "Here is how to interpret your score:

"; PRINT "  1 to 20 - You desperately need help. Your outsourcing will fail unless you make several improvements and get help
"; PRINT "21 to 40 - Outsourcing likely to fail with out help
"; PRINT "41 to 60 - You have a chance of success on your own but could use help in a few critical areas
"; PRINT "61 to 80 - You are doing well and could use help in just a couple of places
"; PRINT "81 to 100 - Congratulations! You are an outsourcing expert.
"; PRINT "

Here is a breakdown of your score:

"; PRINT "
"; PRINT "
"; PRINT "

Accelerance Outsourcing Readiness Test

"; if ($bexp > 200) { $expgraph = "
Your Outsourcing Experience Score is $exp out of a possible 25.



"; PRINT "
Your Outsourcing Experience Score is $exp out of a possible 25.
"; PRINT "
"; PRINT "

"; } else { $expgraph = "
Your Outsourcing Experience Score is $exp out of a possible 25.



"; PRINT "
Your Outsourcing Experience Score is $exp out of a possible 25.
"; PRINT "
"; PRINT "

"; } if ($btec > 200) { $tecgraph = "
Your Technology Readiness Score is $tec out of a possible 25.



"; PRINT "
Your Technology Readiness Score is $tec out of a possible 25.
"; PRINT "
"; PRINT "

"; } else { $tecgraph = "
Your Technology Readiness Score is $tec out of a possible 25.



"; PRINT "
Your Technology Readiness Score is $tec out of a possible 25.
"; PRINT "
"; PRINT "

"; } if ($bbiz > 200) { $bizgraph = "
Your Business Readiness Score is $biz out of a possible 25.



"; PRINT "
Your Business Readiness Score is $biz out of a possible 25.
"; PRINT "
"; PRINT "

"; } else { $bizgraph = "
Your Business Readiness Score is $biz out of a possible 25.



"; PRINT "
Your Business Readiness Score is $biz out of a possible 25.
"; PRINT "
"; PRINT "

"; } if ($bman > 200) { $mangraph = "
Your Management Readiness Score is $man out of a possible 25.



"; PRINT "
Your Management Readiness Score is $man out of a possible 25.
"; PRINT "
"; PRINT "

"; } else { $mangraph = "
Your Management Readiness Score is $man out of a possible 25.



"; PRINT "
Your Management Readiness Score is $man out of a possible 25.
"; PRINT "
"; PRINT "

"; } PRINT "


"; PRINT "
"; } if ($email != "" && $total > 0) { mail ("$email", "Accelerance Outsourcing Readiness Test Analysis for $name","
Accelerance Outsourcing Readiness Test
Your Overall Outsourcing Readiness Score is $total out of a total possible of 100

Here is how to interpret your score:

  1 to 20 - You desperately need help. Your outsourcing will fail unless you make several improvements and get help
21 to 40 - Outsourcing likely to fail with out help
41 to 60 - You have a chance of success on your own but could use help in a few critical areas
61 to 80 - You are doing well and could use help in just a couple of places
81 to 100 - Congratulations! You are an outsourcing expert.


Here is a breakdown of your score:


Accelerance Outsourcing Readiness Test

$expgraph $tecgraph $bizgraph $mangraph





 
Your Outsourcing Experience
 
Question
Your Score/Answer
Possible Risk
Solution
1. $question[1]
$q3
 $email_risk[1] $email_solution[1]
$answer[$qval1]
2. $question[2]
$q2
 $email_risk[2] $email_solution[2]
$answer[$qval2]
3. $question[3]
$q3
 $email_risk[3] $email_solution[3]
$answer[$qval3]
4. $question[4]
$q4
 $email_risk[4] $email_solution[4]
$answer[$qval4]
5. $question[5]
$q5
 $email_risk[5] $email_solution[5]
$answer[$qval5]
 
Your Technology
 
Question
Your Score/Answer
Possible Risk
Solution
6. $question[6]
$q6
 $email_risk[6] $email_solution[6]
$answer[$qval6]
7. $question[7]
$q7
 $email_risk[7] $email_solution[7]
$answer[$qval7]
8. $question[8]
$q8
 $email_risk[8] $email_solution[8]
$answer[$qval8]
9. $question[9]
$q9
 $email_risk[9] $email_solution[9]
$answer[$qval9]
10. $question[10]
$q10
 $email_risk[10] $email_solution[10]
$answer[$qval10]
 

Your Business Situation
 
Question
Your Score/Answer
Possible Risk
Solution
11. $question[11]
$q11
 $email_risk[11] $email_solution[11]
$answer[$qval11]
12. $question[12]
$q12
 $email_risk[12] $email_solution[12]
$answer[$qval12]
13. $question[13]
$q13
 $email_risk[13] $email_solution[13]
$answer[$qval13]
14. $question[14]
$q14
 $email_risk[14] $email_solution[14]
$answer[$qval14]
15. $question[15]
$q15
 $email_risk[15] $email_solution[15]
$answer[$qval15]
 
Your Management Approach
 
Question
Your Score/Answer
Possible Risk
Solution
16. $question[16]
$q16
 $email_risk[16] $email_solution[16]
$answer[$qval16]
17. $question[17]
$q17
 $email_risk[17] $email_solution[17]
$answer[$qval17]
18. $question[18]
$q18
 $email_risk[18] $email_solution[18]
$answer[$qval18]
19. $question[19]
$q19
 $email_risk[19] $email_solution[19]
$answer[$qval19]
20. $question[20]
$q20
 $email_risk[20] $email_solution[20]
$answer[$qval20]

 

Accelerance, Inc. 877-992-2235

All Rights Reserved. Copyright © Accelerance, Inc., 2001 - 2007 ", "From: Steve Mezak \r\nReply-to: SteveMezak@Accelerance.com\r\nBcc: readiness@accelerance.com\r\nContent-Type: text/html"); // if ($runtime != "true") // // { // // // // mail ("$email", "Free Report - Avoid the Seven Deadly Dangers of Outsourcing", // //"Hi $name, // // // //Thanks for taking the Accelerance Outsourcing Readiness Test. We hope you // //scored high! If you didn't, or just want to learn more about global outsourcing, // //then here is another free offer from Accelerance you will not want to miss. // // // //You can download a free special executive report entitled: // // // // The Seven Deadly Dangers of Outsourced Software Development // // and How Companies Like Yours Can Avoid Them // // // //Just click here to request your copy of this valuable report: // // // // http://www.accelerance.com/avoid-the-seven-dangers.htm // // // //I guarantee the techniques described in the Avoid the Seven Dangers report will // //help your company avoid months of frustration and could save you hundreds of // //thousands of dollars. // // // // // //All the best, // // // //Steve Mezak, CEO // //Accelerance, Inc. // // // //213 Garcia Avenue // //Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 USA // //1+877-992-2235", // //"From: Steve Mezak \r\nReply-to: SteveMezak@Accelerance.com"); // // } } if ($email == "") { PRINT "

"; PRINT ""; PRINT ""; PRINT ""; PRINT "
Provide your email address
"; PRINT "and a complete analysis of your test results will be emailed to you"; PRINT "
"; } else { PRINT "
"; PRINT ""; PRINT ""; PRINT ""; PRINT "
A detailed assessment of your results will be sent to the address below."; PRINT "
"; } ?>
Your Full Name
(no middle initial)
 

E-mail
0) { PRINT "
"; } } ?>

Your Outsourcing Experience
1
Have you outsourced software development before?
No
Know Someone Else That Has
Once
Several Times

Expert
type="radio" name="q1" value="1">
type="radio" name="q1" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q1" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q1" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q1" value="5" />

2
Was your past outsourcing successful (leave blank if never outsourced before)?
Disaster
Poor
OK
Pretty Good

Fantastic
type="radio" name="q2" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q2" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q2" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q2" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q2" value="5" />
3
How do you plan to select an outsourcing team?
Not Sure
A Friend
Trusted Referral
Careful Evaluation
Previous Vendor
type="radio" name="q3" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q3" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q3" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q3" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q3" value="5" />
4
How experienced is your outsourcing manager?
Limited
Junior US Software Manager
Senior US Software Manager
Some Outsourcing Experience
Extensive Outsourcing Experience
type="radio" name="q4" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q4" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q4" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q4" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q4" value="5" />
5
How comfortable are you working with engineers from another culture?
Concerned About It
Not Sure
OK with It
Worked with Foreign Engineers in US
Already Out-Sourcing
type="radio" name="q5" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q5" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q5" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q5" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q5" value="5" />
Your Technology
6
Do you have use cases for your software?
Not Needed
What's a Use Case?
Some
Most
All
type="radio" name="q6" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q6" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q6" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q6" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q6" value="5" />
7
What is your software development methodology?
Not Needed
Not Sure
Waterfall
Rational
Agile
type="radio" name="q7" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q7" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q7" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q7" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q7" value="5" />
8
How will you manage your source code?
Don't Know
Copying Files
Source Code Control System
Source Code Hosted in US
Well Defined Process & Control
type="radio" name="q8" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q8" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q8" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q8" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q8" value="5" />
9
Do you know what technology your software needs (Java, .NET, etc.)?
Not Sure
Outsource Team Will Specify
Outsource Team WIll Confirm
Pretty Sure
Completely Specified
type="radio" name="q9" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q9" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q9" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q9" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q9" value="5" />
10
Are you outsourcing to gain technical expertise not available on your current engineering team?
Not Sure
Yes
Some
Yes, But Well Known
No
type="radio" name="q10" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q10" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q10" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q10" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q10" value="5" />

Your Business Situation
11
What contract terms do you require?
Don't Know
Will Rely on Vendor
Will Use An Attorney
Have An Old Contract
Have Model Agreements
type="radio" name="q11" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q11" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q11" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q11" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q11" value="5" />
12
How much are you concerned about the protection of your intellectual property (IP)?
Concerned & Not Sure What To Do
Some Concern
Can Keep IP Safe
Can Separate Critical IP
Not An Issue for Your Software
type="radio" name="q12" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q12" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q12" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q12" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q12" value="5" />
13
What is your understanding of the costs of your outsourcing?
Don't Know
Need a Quote
Have Cost Estimate
Have an Estimated Budget
Have a Realistic Budget
type="radio" name="q13" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q13" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q13" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q13" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q13" value="5" />
14
Does your organization fully support outsourcing?
Don't know
Some Resistance
Have Executive Buy-In
Most Support It
Support at All Levels
type="radio" name="q14" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q14" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q14" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q14" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q14" value="5" />
15
Do you have a plan for multiple releases of your software?
Not Yet
1 Release After 4+ Months
Outsource Team Will Plan
Releases Expected, Not Yet Planned
Release Plan Complete
type="radio" name="q15" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q15" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q15" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q15" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q15" value="5" />
Your Management Approach
16
Will your existing engineering team and the outsourced engineers work on the same code?
Not Sure
Yes
Small Changes
Small Changes & Bug Fixes
No
type="radio" name="q16" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q16" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q16" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q16" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q16" value="5" />
17
Does your outsourced software development project need a larger team of engineers than you have used before?
Much larger
Larger
Same Size
Smaller
Much Smaller
type="radio" name="q17" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q17" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q17" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q17" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q17" value="5" />
18
How will you measure the quality of your outsourced software?
Don't Know
Manually Tested
Test Plans & QA Team Defined
Out-sourcing QA
Automated Test Process
type="radio" name="q18" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q18" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q18" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q18" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q18" value="5" />
19
Do you need to re-purpose your existing engineering team?
Entirely
Half
A Few
No
Hiring More
type="radio" name="q19" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q19" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q19" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q19" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q19" value="5" />
20
What metrics will you use for your outsourcing?
Not Sure
Don't Need Metrics
Schedule Milestones
Schedule & Quality Goals
Productivity, Throughput, Return Rate
type="radio" name="q20" value="1" />
type="radio" name="q20" value="2" />
type="radio" name="q20" value="3" />
type="radio" name="q20" value="4" />
type="radio" name="q20" value="5" />

 

Accelerance, Inc. 877-992-2235 contact by email
Redwood City, California, USA

All Rights Reserved. Copyright © Accelerance, Inc., 2001 - 2007