Common Challenges in Offshore Development and How to Solve Them!

“What Is Offshore Development” refers to a development method in which information systems, software, and web system development work are outsourced or commissioned to an overseas development company or overseas subsidiary. The word offshore comes from being “off” the “shore,” which by extension means “overseas.”

When people think of offshore development, they often picture benefits like “cost savings,” “shorter development time,” and “access to talented engineers.”

On the other hand, whether or not they have prior experience with offshore development, many people carry plenty of worries, challenges, and concerns, such as “Will we be able to communicate well?” or “Can quality be guaranteed?”

This time, we'd like to introduce the challenges commonly seen in offshore development, along with improvement measures and our own approach.

1. Common Challenges in Offshore Development

1.1. Common Challenge in Offshore Development ① The Language Barrier:

Since you're outsourcing to an overseas company, communication may not always go smoothly.

Unless the partner speaks the foreign language at business level rather than just everyday conversation, fine nuances may get lost, and the system may not turn out as envisioned.

Typically, requirements are defined on the Japanese side, then translated into the offshore team's language — and this is where so-called “spec bugs,” or mistranslations, often occur.

This isn't just about translator skill — it also reflects ambiguity unique to Japanese. Japanese tends to state things indirectly and avoid being too direct, and this trait sometimes causes translations to be inaccurate, leading to project failure.

1.2. Common Challenge in Offshore Development ② Differences in National Character

Different countries mean different cultures and ways of thinking. For example, in Japan, “report, contact, consult” (hou-ren-sou) is common sense in the business world. But that “common sense” doesn't necessarily apply in other countries.

It's not unusual for work content or procedures to be changed without checking with the client first, only for it to become a problem later.

In Japan, deadlines are treated as absolute, with overtime worked to meet them since missing one affects trust. Japan also has a culture of normalized overtime and reluctance to leave before your boss. These customs are unique to Japan and don't apply overseas — worth keeping in mind beforehand.

1.3. Common Challenge in Offshore Development ③ Concerns About Engineers

Of course, many engineers have knowledge and skills that rival Japan's. But not every engineer is at that level, and checking each one's level in advance is hard — a real source of anxiety.

2. How to Solve Challenges in Offshore Development

2.1. Communicate Proactively

In Japan, there's often an assumption that things will be understood without being said — but that doesn't work overseas.

Communicate down to the smallest detail. Stay in frequent contact, check progress regularly, and resolve misunderstandings or issues at an early stage.

Close, frequent communication also builds trust over time. As mentioned, Japanese is ambiguous and hard for translators to convey clearly. Precisely because you're talking to a foreigner, be deliberate about saying what you mean clearly, in short, simple terms.

2.2. Learn About the Other Party's Culture

Respecting the other party's culture is the basis of communication. Be sure to keep this in mind as you carry out offshore development.

It's important to hold a meeting of about an hour each week to check whether the project is progressing on schedule. If it looks like it might fall behind, address it at an early stage.

2.3. Check the Track Record and Engineer Skill Level

Here are some recommended points to check.

• Whether they have a track record with similar work to what you want to develop.
• Response speed.
• Whether they're easy to communicate with day to day.

A track record with similar requests suggests relevant know-how and smoother work. Speed of response and courteous handling are essential for any job.

If a company is slow to respond from the start, don't expect it to speed up later.

*Note: Having a BrSE in between makes communication easier.

>>>> Related article: 11 Useful Tips for Making the Most of Offshore Development

3. Summary

Offshore development is never easy. Alongside cost benefits and shorter timelines, it brings difficulties domestic development doesn't have. When a problem arises, just pointing out that it needs fixing often isn't enough — the offshore team may not even recognize the issue, or may simply be unfamiliar with an approach Japan takes for granted.

Some understanding is also needed for things rarely seen in Japan, such as religious customs or the time difference.

Keep the following points in mind to overcome these various challenges.

・Communicate frequently and in detail.

・Learn about the other party's culture in advance.

・Check the track record and engineer skill level beforehand.

Keep these points in mind to make your offshore development a success.