Webwork - 3:18 pm on Apr 25, 2009 (gmt 0)

Based upon everything I've read "trial and error" is the price you pay.

There's lots of available guidance about "how to go about" the business of outsourcing but there's no formula for invariable success. I've read of folks who had a great experience with CommpanyX only to have a miserable 2d or 3rd time around experience, likely because CompanyX was overwhelmed by its success or lost key programmers to a competitor, etc.

The best advice appears to be 1) start small; 2) be very specific; 3) yes, look for evidence of past success; but, 4) above all, manage information (project details, expectations, duties, etc.) and money (escrow) with a high degree of . . . skill . . which likely only comes with the trial and error of experience.

Many of the nightmares related to poor code. If you don't know how to code you might have trouble spec-ing the the job. You might need a consultant somewhere in the loop.