It's not only that. The main problem is that it's virtually impossible to come up with specifications, which are precise enough that they can be implemented 1:1.
Outsourcing companies will aim for the lowest common denominator, which the contract allows and with which they can get away with.
Case in point? I can exactly tell you what the specs for the first time reporting system I worked with at MajorCorp said, without ever having seen those specs:
Must be able to enter hours
That's exactly what we could do. Enter hours. Not minutes, not ten minute intervals, not quarter - or half hours, no; hours.
When I get such a spec I hit back with questions. Send that to an outsourcer and they won't see any need to provide a yota more than what the spec says.
In other words: You entering a world of pain, which looks good on spreadsheet but really only that.
Outsourcing companies will aim for the lowest common denominator, which the contract allows and with which they can get away with.
Case in point? I can exactly tell you what the specs for the first time reporting system I worked with at MajorCorp said, without ever having seen those specs:
Must be able to enter hours
That's exactly what we could do. Enter hours. Not minutes, not ten minute intervals, not quarter - or half hours, no; hours.
When I get such a spec I hit back with questions. Send that to an outsourcer and they won't see any need to provide a yota more than what the spec says.
In other words: You entering a world of pain, which looks good on spreadsheet but really only that.