Offshore Insourcing: A Case Study on Software Quality Alignment

Abstract—Background: Software quality issues are com-monly reported when offshoring software development. Value-based software engineering addresses this by ensuring key stakeholders have a common understanding of quality. Aim: This work seeks to understand the levels of alignment between key stakeholders on aspects of software quality for two products developed as part of an offshore insourcing arrangement. The study further aims to explain the levels of alignment identified. Method: Representatives of key stakeholder groups for both products ranked aspects of software quality. The results were discussed with the groups to gain a deeper understanding. Results: Low levels of alignment were found between the groups studied. This is associated with insufficiently defined quality requirements, a culture that does not question man-agement and conflicting temporal reflections on the product’s quality. Conclusion: The work emphasizes the need for greater support to align success-critical stakeholder groups in their understanding of quality when offshoring software develop-ment. Keywords-software, quality, global software development I