We must first emphasize that here we are talking about outsourcing CAD projects, which is significantly easier than outsourcing software development or IT services (earlier articles of mine have explained why).

This article also assumes that selection of the CAD providers has been completed with due diligence (the methods are described in an earlier article).

As I mentioned in those prior articles, one of the most important ingredients for successful outsourcing is management of the ongoing project by you, the client. To quote from those articles (here 'outsourcer' means 'provider'):

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TASKS IN OUTSOURCING MANAGEMENT:
(1) You have to assume moral responsibility for the project.

A very senior executive should be made the champion of the CAD project. S/he will need technical and administrative people to help with the project, and these people should be informed of their induction explicitly. Let's call this group of people "the task force".

(2) The task force should define the objectives of the proposed CAD outsourcing

Subjects to address:

• Which input documents will you be giving the provider? (Consider rough, dimensioned sketches, specifications and photographs of included objects, written instructions on what you want in the output, libraries of CAD symbols, design rules for elements not in the libraries of CAD symbols, drawings or sketches showing how the objects in the target area interface with the immediate environment, sample output documents).
• Which CAD platform do you want the work done on?
• Which output documents to you expect?
• What is the weekly project schedule?
• At what interval do you want the provider to send you the work in progress?
• What is the procedure for acceptance of the product?
• What is your payment schedule?
• What is the payment method? (Check, credit card, wire transfer?)

(3) The task force should put the above documents into a contract.
The contract should also contain non-disclosure clauses. The provider should sign and return the contract.

(4) Put robust communication mechanisms in place.

(5) Have a procedure in place for conflict resolution.

(6) As far as possible, do not let go of existing staff because you are outsourcing. Identify unfulfilled skill needs in your organization when you first think of outsourcing. Explain to the relevant staff that you plan to outsource and that you will train them in those skills. If nevertheless some want to leave, they are responsible for their departure and not you.

(7) Be ready with support services and materials for your providers.

(8) Develop a partner relationship with the provider.

(9) Budget for the outsourcing exercise.

Use this valuable observation to help you plan:

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CONCLUSION

• What we've just described represents the latest thinking on managing a CAD outsourcing project.
• The ideas are state-of-the-art and custom-made for today's world.
• We hope you use them and that thereby your business experiences a significant increase in efficiency, earnings and competitiveness.