As a result, the eventual product of service, even if it corresponds to the project specifications, will not be what the customer wants at the time of delivery.

FORBES: Measuring What Matters: From Outputs to Outcomes: Part 3

The net-powered PC has come out of a project to create specifications for powering almost any kind of computer hardware through Ethernet cables.

BBC: NEWS | Technology | Net-powered computer goes on show

All mobile broadband standards supported by the chip meet 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications.

ENGADGET: Panasonic, DoCoMo, NEC and Fujitsu create IP for multi-standard LSI chip; supports LTE, GSM, W-CDMA and HSPA+

If you can clearly define the specifications for your technical project, and you are willing and able to manage the efforts closely, then outsourcing it to a local or remote technical group beats hiring technical employees.

FORBES: Non-Technical Entrepreneurs Need the Right Partner