This Slack discussion by Shahmeer Khan, David Smooke, Lauren Chan Lee, Jean Machuca, Oliver N, Sadia Mehmood, and Sidra occurred in slogging's official #general channel, and has been edited for readability.
Shahmeer Khan
As David Smooke created an exciting https://hackernoon.com/tagged/yay-or-nay, let's get it rolling....Shahmeer Khan
Here's one:Outsourcing software development... Yay or Nay!
I’d go with... depends. If it’s something fundamental to your business, then no. But if it’s something that is tangential and can help avoid distracting your internal engineering team, then it can make sense.
David Smooke
I think you hit the nail on the head. If it's core to your business, it's better to not outsource it. In general, at Hacker Noon, I've found more success having part-time developers work directly with us than outsourcing projects to firms to manage. 
Lauren Chan Lee
I think it also depends on the stage of your business. If you’re an early-stage startup building your first product, using an outsource team can be great to get your MVP product built and tested, before recruiting a full-time team 
Jean Machuca
Outsourcing your code requires to know what part of your code can be put into an external pipeline. So I think it’s always better if your software architecture is defined before to go outsourcing. Also, to start an outsourcing project with some external partners, it is recommended to clarify some legal aspects like code licensing and permissions for the use of third-party code from the beginning. 
Oliver N
The core of your business should not be outsourced. It's your strength and difference. It's what puts your business ahead of competitors. Other things can be outsourced to save time and resources. 
Sadia Mehmood
Yay. Because it not only offers a diverse plethora of skill-set but can also be very cost-efficient. Shahmeer Khan
You are right, there should be flexibility. Shahmeer Khan
David Smooke that seems interesting. Hiring and managing the developers directly is more convenient. Shahmeer Khan
Jean Machuca Isn't it better to instead make outsourcing firm your technology partners?Seems fair to me. 🤔
Shahmeer Khan
Lauren Chan Lee That's the best strategy for startups. This way they can invest more time in the management and marketing side. Shahmeer Khan
Oliver N Interesting...The core of the business as in the software product!
Shahmeer Khan
Sadia Mehmood On point 👍 If you don't have the expertise, it's better to outsource to experts. Shahmeer Khan
Sidra What's your take on this! 
Sidra
For me, it all depends on the outsourcing partner you choose. I would rate an outsourcing company/team on the following factors: 1. Level of expertise
2. Communication and collaboration skills
3. Commitment and time management
One must do good research before choosing an outsourcing partner. Check their website, portfolio, and reviews. Evaluate their offerings and rates. Outsourcing to a good company can cost less even than hiring / managing freelancers.
