INTERNAL SME OR EXTERNAL PROJECT MANAGER?

This week we delve once again into our blog back catalogue to revisit an article that looked at the pros and cons of creating an internal SME liaison versus choosing to deploy an external project manager, instead. That piece can be read here, whilst a summarised version follows…

The article, written back in September 2017, assumed that an outsourced testing service had been selected for a project but that a decision on how it would be managed had yet to be made.

Do you select to manage the project work internally, or do you hire an external project manager?In order to make the right choice, it is important to note the finer details by asking some important questions. What is the size of the testing project? What is the breakdown in personnel (the testing team v’s the internal team)? Who is involved in the project? (Business analyst, internal QA team member, developer/s)

Having the answers to these questions before making your decision is vital.For example, a large-scale testing service project involving deep internal support might be better led by an external project manager, whereas a small-to-medium one could be better suited to a member of your own team in a managing role.

The article then went on to outline some of the pros and cons to be aware of when facing this very important decision:

Managing the work internally (SME Liaison)Pros

• Management is contained internally
• The SME liaison works to the same timings and schedule
• They are located in the same office
• Little or no extra time should be required for ‘onboarding’ them
• They are a single point of contact for the outsourced testing services team
• The SME will need support but will be largely ‘self-contained’
• One responsible resource, allowing the wider team to maintain their own focus
• The SME alone is required to be available for meetings and training schedules
• It is easier to build a strong business relationship between teams with a dedicated internal SME in place

Cons

• Assigning a resource in itself, thus possibly depriving alternative projects of that resource
• The workload could grow to be too much for a single resource

Hiring an external project manager (from the testing service group)Pros

• The project Manager is familiar with their own resources
• They are a single point of contact
• As one responsible resource, they allow the wider team to focus on their own areas
• They alone are required for meetings and training schedules
• They are ideal in a situation where the internal team has no SME in place

Cons

• Some may feel that with an external project manager, they do not have control over the project
• If a project grows beyond the planned scope, costs might also grow (always calculate accurate cost projections with any vendor before signing contracts / agreements)
• An external project manager is not an SME in your application (understanding the needs of the business and the application are crucial to the success of the project as a whole)

eTestware is part of theICEway ecosystem of companies, and our expert IT teams have helped clients in Healthcare, Cruise, Travel and Retail for more than 20 years.

GlossarySME – Subject Matter Expert

QA – Quality Assurance

Top TipSome serious ‘food for thought’ here, with obvious advantages and disadvantages all around. If you are thinking of outsourcing your testing needs and would like to discuss the points raised in more depth, our experts will be happy to help – contact them today…