So you've hired a dedicate software development team to either get your project off the ground, or you're in the middle of the process and need extra staff for their expertise or to speed things up.
The best part about the dedicated development team model is that it can be used strategically for long-term projects or specific portions of the development process. And with the option to hire a remote team, the benefits can significantly impact the success of any project.
This article discusses how to manage your dedicated development team efficiently. We'll address how to maximize their productivity and ensure they're aligned and working effectively towards your business goals.
Setting Clear Goals and Expectations
Your project's success hinges on well-defined objectives. If you're hiring a dedicated team for a specific project, the project requirements will need to be set and communicated to your development team.
Everything from project timelines, systems, and budgets will need to be defined in advance so the project can stay on track and on budget. Communicate these objectives to your development team, ensuring everyone understands the desired outcomes and deliverables.
Regular communication is vital for project success. Create communication channels tailored to your team's preferences and needs. This could involve daily stand-up meetings or weekly progress reports to keep everyone informed and aligned.
Being that hiring a dedicated team most likely means that everyone is working remotely, take advantage of communication tools such as Slack or Teams so that anyone can be reached at any point during development. Conducting meetings for a wellness check on the project's progress or to address issues will be an efficient way to communicate rather than the back and forth of emailing.
Remember, meetings should have a purpose to avoid wasted time. A study shows that 31 hours per month are spent in unproductive meetings and that 80% would prefer to have their meetings in the morning or before lunchtime.
Take advantage of morning meetings by establishing the day's objectives and prioritizing certain tasks. This will help your dedicated development team stay clear and aware and, more importantly, remain motivated and productive.
Equip your team with all the necessary information. Clearly communicate project requirements and specifications. Share any relevant documentation or resources to help them grasp the project's scope and intricacies.
When you hire additional software developers and project managers, you'll need them to integrate them with your in-house developers so the project can start or continue with everyone on one accord. Ensure everyone has access to all tools, files, and programs necessary to enable more fluid development.
Keeping team members within a similar time zone and in sync communication usually helps achieve higher performance & collaborative teams than their async counterparts
Building a Strong Team
The success of a dedicated team is due largely to the team members you select for the project. Choosing tech professionals with niche expertise and well-rounded experience will help your project move more efficiently.
Without the need to train or educate your teams, you can start your project and get it off the ground, decreasing the time spent onboarding. Carefully select team members with the appropriate skill sets and experience. Assess their compatibility with existing team dynamics and their ability to collaborate effectively.
Aside from cost, one of the bigger drivers for implementing a dedicated team for many companies is gaining access to highly knowledgeable developers. 87% of employers have trouble finding the right talent at a local level and seek to find the proper resources by outsourcing.
And while at the same time, this can be a challenge, it's not an impossible task. To save time vetting your team members, partnering with an outsourcing company can take some of the stress out of the process.
Companies that offer augmentation for dedicated teams have already done the legwork for you. With hundreds of software developers, QAs, designers, data architects, and project managers already assessed, your outsourcing partner is a strategic means to gain efficiency in choosing your dedicated team, saving your company time and money so you can focus on what matters, creating innovative tech solutions.
Foster a Positive Team Culture
A positive team culture is conducive to innovation and productivity. Encourage open communication, where your dedicated team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. This aspect is especially essential to bridge your in-house and remote teams together.
Transparency and openness make it easier for your developers to feel at ease working on a project and will bring more success and efficiency to problem-solving.
Cultivate an environment where diversity is celebrated, and everyone's contributions are valued; without it, your dedicated development team may lose its initial steam, motivation, and productivity.
Regardless of FTEs, Contractor or Vendors, use the same approach to provide feedback, define goals, measure performance, and overall integrate them all as if they were your own employees. You want your engineers to own their assignments and this is a great first step to achieve it.
Effective Project Management
Many IT companies use Agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban that offer an effective project management framework. These methods aid in the tracking of project goals and deadlines.
Identify bottlenecks and pinpoint what aspects of development take priority over others. Because software development consists of many elements, break down the project into manageable tasks and establish clear deadlines to promote flexibility and adaptability as the project progresses.
Use Project Management Tools
Thanks to the global health crises, more software and platforms have been created to bring more efficiency and organization to remote collaboration. However, only 1 in 4 companies are using these valuable tools. Many of these tools have options to suit any need for businesses of any size.
This includes features such as real-time reporting and data analytics. Leverage project management tools to streamline your processes and gain valuable insights to guide the project's development.
Platforms like Jira, Trello, or Asana help in task assignments, progress tracking, and timeline management. These tools enhance collaboration, transparency, and responsibility, saving time in the development cycle.
Regularly Review and Evaluate Progress
Continuous evaluation is essential for maintaining efficiency. Check-in with your team members regularly to identify problem areas that could use improvement. Adjust your project plan as needed to ensure optimal performance.
If you're using the method of continuous software development, then you're aware of the impact that reviewing can have on your project. It's always best to catch something sooner than later and pivot where it makes the most sense.
Check-in with how your team is getting along. You can make changes before it gets complicated or difficult. This time saver allows your teams to focus on creating quality work from the beginning to the launch of your project.
Having a proper Quality Plan will help you not only define exactly which efforts you are making to have great quality but also, identify the right resources or team structure to provide such a level of quality.
Your preferred partner should help you pick the right combination of practices your project needs according to your budget, such as: Coding standards, code reviews, test cases, testing environments, security testing, and automated testing, as well as the tools and skills needed to achieve it.
How are You Managing Your Dedicated Teams?
Managing your dedicated team along with your in-house staff doesn't have to be a complicated endeavor. With the proper tools and systems in place, managing your dedicated development team can create greater efficiency and provide more benefits for a successful software development process.
FAQs Concerning Your Dedicated Teams
What are the specific strategies for motivating and retaining remote team members, considering the potential challenges of remote work like reduced team interaction and feelings of isolation?
To create a positive remote work culture, prioritize trust, open communication, and recognize achievements. Maintain regular communication through meetings and check-ins, offer professional growth opportunities, and provide necessary remote work tools. Encourage work-life balance, recognize individual contributions, and foster a sense of community through virtual team-building activities.
Beyond managing the technical aspects of development, how can managers effectively address interpersonal conflicts or communication issues that may arise within a dedicated development team, especially in a remote setting?
Encourage open communication and early intervention to address conflicts promptly. Foster empathy and problem-solving, shifting focus from blame to collaborative solutions. Consider involving neutral third parties for mediation. Invest in team-building and conflict resolution training to enhance communication skills and promote a respectful work environment.
What are some examples of establishing clear communication protocols and expectations with a dedicated development team?
Establish clear communication guidelines by defining channels, responsiveness expectations, and information sharing protocols. Foster open communication through respectful dialogue, active listening, and prompt issue resolution. Leverage technology such as video conferencing and project management tools to facilitate collaboration effectively.
