Thoughts on outsourcing?
Thoughts on outsourcing?
(OP)
I don't want to create a thread that disputes the pros and cons of outsourcing from a socioeconomic or political perspective. But, I am curious if any engineering firms out there have ever used a foreign company for doing such work as design and drafting of a land development project. I have heard of such work being done for things like manufacturing and electronic components, but never civil engineering. Has anyone ever dealt with these outsourcing firms?
My firm is experiencing a big backlog of work, and in order to meet deadlines, we are considering this course of action. I know there are many reasons for and against, but I'd really just be interested in the strict business and operational issues that arise. For example, obviously, there is a geographic issue...the managers and the drafting team are across the ocean from each other.
Any input is appreciated, as long as it doesn't turn into a labor market, outsource-bashing flame fest. Thanks.
My firm is experiencing a big backlog of work, and in order to meet deadlines, we are considering this course of action. I know there are many reasons for and against, but I'd really just be interested in the strict business and operational issues that arise. For example, obviously, there is a geographic issue...the managers and the drafting team are across the ocean from each other.
Any input is appreciated, as long as it doesn't turn into a labor market, outsource-bashing flame fest. Thanks.





RE: Thoughts on outsourcing?
I think it is easy to exaggerate the disadvantages of geographical separation.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Thoughts on outsourcing?
I had one bad and one good experience with India coders. The overall result was favorable and I am thinking of putting a fairly large computer development project together and having it coded through this site.
The bad was as much my fault as the coder’s, It was my first time putting a project there and I should have been more specific on my statement of requirements.
I really do not think that it is the fact of foreign vs domestic work that is the problem with a lot of foreign outsourcing but a problem in communication requirements and expectations that would occur if the work was done next door.
Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng
Construction Project Management
From conception to completion
www.kitsonengineering.com
RE: Thoughts on outsourcing?
One example is that the USDA will have 30 small projects that will be bundled into one contract. The small firms and part time engineers can't handle that kind of volume at once. The bigger firm can handle the volume and bidding, but proffits may be greater on other projects. The big firm will bid the packaged project, and then subcontract out the portions it doesn't want to deal with.
By not being overly greedy, the large firms make more $$$.
RE: Thoughts on outsourcing?
i've worked on projects where it was believed (by projects) that the partners (out-sourcees?) would have the best interests of the project at heart (just as if they were in-sourced) because they derive a profit stream from the work. i think there are at least three errors in this thought ...
1) maybe they are making a profit, but more likely they are not (possibly because they were beaten down by contracts) and they'd like nothing better than to drop it like a hot potato.
2) in the best world they would be making a profit, but if there is another project making more profit then they'd support the latter one better.
3) following on from 2), i think they'll always have their best interests at heart, however this fits with your project.
that aside, there are all sorts of problems ...
getting someone else to fit with your design philosophy,
getting someone else to accept scops changes,
getting someone slse to change their design based on your experience (rather than a detalled calc.)
but all this is offset by the money they bring to the table.
RE: Thoughts on outsourcing?
Wes C.
RE: Thoughts on outsourcing?
RE: Thoughts on outsourcing?
Eddy I would be careful what you write on this forum the ACLU might file a law suite against you.
My company has started to outsource to China to reduce the bottom line and increase profit margin. It's bitter sweet with me because I've seen knock offs of our products.
RE: Thoughts on outsourcing?
RE: Thoughts on outsourcing?
Yes senior engineer passed this stuff off to... junior engineers... as part of the development of a senior engineer.
Wes C.
------------------------------
There are no engineers in the hottest parts of hell, because the existence of a 'hottest part' implies a temperature difference, and any marginally competent engineer would immediately use this to run a heat engine and make some other part of hell comfortably cool. This is obviously impossible.
RE: Thoughts on outsourcing?