When should a company outsource to global software development?

“It is, in my experience, not the size of the company that matters. We were, for example, only six people when we started. On the other hand, outsourcing requires that the project has a certain size and character. It has to run at least half a year and the company must be ready to follow-up. If this is in place, then just get going. It is actually not that difficult. After all, it is normal people that you work with. They are just sitting 6.000 km away...”
(smaller production company)

 “My experience is that when you consider global software outsourcing, you have to be very structured and precise about what you want done. Moreover, one must be attentive towards contract and quality assurance, exactly as if you were outsourcing to a Danish company.”
(smaller IT company)

 “When you have to outsource, you must be clear about what is involved. You have to able to describe the process and you must be able to manage it. Furthermore, it is very much about communication and collaboration and about getting to know each other.”
(midsize service company)