Agile Improves Software Development Outsourcing Outcomes

Latest Research From Aberdeen Confirms the Business Benefits


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - January 7, 2010) - Proper tools and execution are required to apply the agile methodology successfully across a distributed team. Aberdeen's new research, "Software Product Engineering Outsourcing: The Value of Agile in a Distributed Environment," reveals that budget forecast accuracy, time-to-market, and end-user satisfaction improve even when teams are collaborating across geographic divides, time zones, and cultural barriers.

The report released by Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), found that top performing companies experienced a 17% average reduction in development cost, a 10% average reduction in time-to-market, and an 18% increase in end-user satisfaction as a result of outsourcing their software engineering projects.

"Agile development methodologies and remote presence technologies meet the challenges of keeping software engineering outsourcing on budget and within a pre-determined schedule while still resulting in a product that is relevant to the dynamic and rapidly changing requirements of user groups," said Russ Klein, Vice President and Group Director at Aberdeen. "With more frequent interaction comes the opportunity to build trust, expose critical issues earlier in the process, make mid-course corrections in the project plan, and tune the velocity of the team."

Aberdeen's research also highlights the importance of collaboration between key personnel on any agile project and the criticality of executive-level endorsement of agile philosophies and practices. Additionally, it details the ability to measure, manage, and validate critical measures of performance such as project velocity and individual team member contribution.

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: GlobalLogic, Aricent, Dextrys, and iSoftStone. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=6423.

For additional access to complimentary Information Technology Research, please visit http://research.aberdeen.com/index.php/-information-technology

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen provides fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having studied more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen educates users to action by driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen™ for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen places content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of Harte-Hanks' "customer optimization" process (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen http://www.aberdeen.com or call (617) 723-7890, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748 or go to http://www.harte-hanks.com.

© 2010 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
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Contact Information: Media Contact: Max Gladstone Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5367 Max.Gladstone@Aberdeen.com