One of the best known tools for agile project management is VersionOne. This tool in the Enterprise edition is the first one that we review in our agile tools review series.
VersionOne At A Glance: Introduction
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Author Archives: stanislav
Scrum tools review
We are starting a Scrum tools review series, we will do it in cooperation with Agile-nearshoring. Our reviews will be published in Ainstainer Group and the Agile-nearshoring blogs.
| Tool | Conclusion |
|---|---|
| VersionOne | A very mature and powerful tool for managing agile teams |
| TargetProcess | A good tool for managing big distributed teams, highly customizable |
The New Way Out For Startups – Outsourcing
Small businesses have got a small budget but large needs. For small business owners one of the biggest challenges is wearing all the hats and the smaller the business, the more aspects of it you need to look after yourself. Startups originally go into business because they have a passion and skills for a certain product or service.
However, the skills may not include the operational, marketing or financial end of the business. Every small businesses have got some essential but non-core activities which take much time and could be better spent servicing existing customers or developing new ones.
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The Top 6 Benefits Every Start-up Should Know About Outsourcing… But Probably Doesn’t
- Focus on your core business. Do not spend time doing projects which take you away from growing your core business, jobs you dislike or even are not good at. By outsourcing you get to focus on your business, while they complete the project, you have been dreading for months. Time is money!
- Reduce staff costs. When you outsource you do not have to deal with tax laws, desks and office space, superannuation, sick and vacation pay. You also have the benefit of hiring someone for a short term project that otherwise may be too expensive for a fulltime basis. Continue reading
Scrum Advantages
Dedicated Teams Model Is Gaining Popularity
According to “Central and Eastern Europe IT Outsourcing Review 2008″ – a research conducted by Ukrainian High-Tech Initiative,during 2003-2007 the customers were tending to switch from project-based outsourcing model to hiring dedicated programming teams, – so that the customers contract and manage IT staff directly. Although fixed-price project model seems to provide less risks, it also restrains significantly the development process and can result in overestimated budgets. According to the research results, since 2003 until 2007 the number of project contracts has fallen by 30-35%.
As one of the answers to Onstartup questions about selection the right agile IT Outsourcing provider Scott Drake, the Owner of the Data Pros (Web development company in Louisville, USA) has made quite an interesting statement – “I built my team in Argentina … Continue reading
The Benefits Of Small Companies Over Big Companies
We live in the world where big seems better. Small feels … well, unsafe, in general, not mention the fact of collaboration with. But sometimes we overlook the fact that huge businesses have serious weaknesses in areas where small businesses shine and then begin to realize that small business is a great business, and I’ll tell you why. Having business with small companies really have the number of advantages over big companies. Here they are:Experience. Big companies are always well-known and widely advertised. One can often hear that some company has 100 year experience, that sounds very promising and impressive, doesn’t it? But have you ever thought that only personnel experience really matters, but not the company’s. That is the point. You can find qualified and professional employees both in small and big companies, and it never depends on the age of the company.
Better customer care. I’m sure you’ve noticed that the larger a company grows, the harder it becomes to provide good customer service. Just try to find the right person Continue reading