Agile is face-to-face. Offshore isn't. Dear Bob …I have a question about this statement, from your recent column “In general, a time for generalists,” (Keep the Joint Running, 12/1/2008): “No. It’s best for some situations, but not offshore outsourcing, which requires waterfall as a precondition for success.”In your opinion, is waterfall a necessary precondition because of the “offshore” or because of the “outsourcing”? That is, would your opinion apply equally to offshore employee sourcing via federated global development? Is it the remoteness and time differences or, say, something about the Indian culture that makes waterfall necessary, such that it would also be necessary for Indian-based employee sourcing? Or is it necessary primarily because it provides clearer objectives against which to measure the outsourcer?– Generally interestedDear Interested … It has to do with the separation in time and space between developers and business users. On-shore outsourcers can, and often do operate in blended teams with their clients. Agile is entirely feasible, except possibly for the need outsourcers have to create additional CYC (Cover Your Contract) documentation that wouldn’t be necessary in a pure Agile project.Offshore outsourcers don’t do this. They do often send on-shore business analysts in to work directly with clients on requirements, but if they also send their developers on-shore … well, they aren’t offshore anymore.Does that clear up the question? – Bob Technology Industry