I think YetAnotherAmericanITGuy summed it up very well.

Precisely!

It sounds to me that the poster is pointing out that in his particular case, the outsourcing that he’s seeing is, overall, detrimental to the company…even if some accountant somewhere can come up with a balance-sheet justification for it. That isn’t an indictment of outsourcing overall…but obviously there are instances of outsourcing that are done poorly and will not result in a benefit to the company.

In that context, your answer of “don’t think about it, just do your job” is…unhelpful. The poster makes a valid point–switching out developers isn’t the same as switching out construction workers, and sometimes the company doesn’t take some of the less tangible effects of outsourcing into account. As well, some of the layoff packages are large enough that an honest accounting would reveal that the ROI for outsourcing won’t appear until year 3 or later.

And so here we are–company management is making a poor decision, and it’s obvious to all of IT, both in the outsourcing teams (in India) and in the team being outsourced (in US). Because of the dynamic of outsourcing, though, these teams can’t talk to discuss if there’s a better approach. Frustrating–from both sides.

>no developer/tester that is not dispensable.

I agree. but i am still not convinced about the business sense of laying off a good worker experienced in a product.

Your assumptions about my workplace - partly true. There is more to it though.

Large American companies are as pathetic as the services companies in India you have worked for (in fact, they influenced the culture of the Indian service shops!).

1. Outsourcing or not, there is no developer/tester that is not dispensable. You might feel the ‘guy-in-us’ is the best but the fact that he is being replaced simply means he is expandable. You must realize the same also applies to you.

2. As much as possible try to create value for your company. The smaller your company/ group is the better chance of visibility. In a large company your efforts might drown in a large group but always maintain to keep creating something that you think benefits the company. Your manager may/ may not agree but you should try the best. This is one good way to decrease your chances of being ‘dispensable’.

3. Get over outsourcing. Your job is to get the work delivered as best as possible. You are not paid to worry about the other guy’s job. I know losing a job is bad for everyone…but you have to realize delivering your work is your ‘dharma’.

This issue kinda brings my contradictions to the fore honestly.
Not sure if its bcos I am confused or bcos I am honest or both.

I am okay if all this globalization if it leads to overall good… i’ve benfitted a lot personally… its good if it bring jobs to developing countries.. but i am kinda embarassed if that happens with job cuts in US.

I’ve experienced this with my prev organization as well…

When i said i am leaving since i am anyway jobless for 3/4 months.. my manager promised me my colleague in US will be fired in 3 months and i can take up that work

I was equally enraged then though i guess i did not blog about it…

It almost looks like as if the whole economic dev. nonsense is a zero-sum game even though numbers suggest it is not.

This whole business of replacing with one US techie with x indian techies is just laughable. I have been lucky enough to work with some great American techies and the very thought of making those guys unemployed is just … like you I am at a loss for words. Our great IT boom is fueled by shady business deals.