Off Shore Search

While searching for an off shore development shop to augment our development efforts,
we came up with a list of questions to ask of the candidates. What would you do to
improve upon this list?

1. Physical Environment
   1. Programmer environment, photographs are encouraged.

   2. What are the computing platforms, specifically development hardware.

   3. Describe the network access and security.
2. Coding
   1. What development environments (IDEs) are used?

   2. What type of source control is being used?

   3. Do you have an automated build process?
      1. How often do you build product?

      2. Do tests run automatically after a build?
   4. What common development frameworks or design patterns are commonly used?

   5. How do programmers receive ongoing education?
3. Quality Management Practices
   1. What do you use for an issue/defect tracking system?

   2. Are bugs/defects corrected before writing new code?

   3. What is the tester/programmer ratio?

   4. Do you have a structured format/outline for test plans.?

   5. What test tools do you use?
4. Business Processes
   1. Provide a sample specification document.

   2. Do you have a specification development service?

   3. What is your project calendar and how is it managed?

   4. Describe how you do collaboration with your clients?

   5. How do you recruit and qualify new programmers?

   6. How do you demonstrate progress to clients?