Title: A qualitative empirical investigation of hidden cost for software testing outsourcing projects

Authors: Fatin Filzahti Ismail; Rozilawati Razali

Addresses: Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia ' Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: The main concern of involving organisations in an outsourced project is not only getting the job done, but also the job needing to be completed with the desired quality within the scheduled timeline and, most importantly, achieving the expected cost estimated. In particular, testing outsourcing project aims for the same ambition. However, as testing outsourcing has opted as an economic inclination, it also carries several drawbacks to the practice. It is identified that the cost projects are beyond expectations, when the project is implemented. The issue calls for the involving parties to identify reasons for the increase or the existence of the cost in testing outsourcing projects. This paper aims to address this concern by identifying the cost factors through a qualitative approach. By identifying the cost factors and cost items according to the testing outsourcing project's perspective, it is believed that the subject-related knowledge could be enhanced to build strategic cost decisions.

Keywords: software testing project; outsourcing project; cost planning; project management; qualitative study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2024.140629

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2024 Vol.42 No.4, pp.459 - 484

Received: 15 Jan 2022
Accepted: 30 Jun 2022
Published online: 28 Aug 2024 *

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