Businesses, especially tech-driven ones, face the formidable challenge of keeping their IT teams agile and innovative. One effective strategy is hiring a dedicated software development team. Having such a team in your arsenal brings your company a wealth of skills and experience that may have otherwise been unavailable.
To hire a dedicated team, CTOs must navigate a structured process that includes defining needs and considering key factors. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of everything you should know in building a dedicated team.
What is a Dedicated Development Team?
Dedicated development teams are external groups of software engineers and developers who work exclusively on your projects. When you hire a dedicated software development team, you get professionals who have been carefully selected to meet your specific business objectives.
They integrate seamlessly with your in-house team, while the third-party provider oversees their own staff and operations on the ground. In other words, unlike regular employees, you don’t have to deal with the administrative and human resource aspects of a dedicated development team.
A dedicated development team can be formed through two models: staff augmentation vs. managed services. We will elaborate on their key differences in a while.
When Do You Need a Dedicated Software Development Team?
There are common scenarios that show you need a dedicated development team. While you might not experience all of them at the same time, here are some situations that warrant working with external developers:
1. Complex and Long-Term Projects
Some projects are inherently complex and may require extensive planning and sustained efforts over a long period. A dedicated team can adapt to changes in scope and provide ongoing support throughout the project lifecycle.
2. Early-Stage Startups
Small businesses and startups experiencing rapid growth. If your project is growing faster than your in-house team can handle, a dedicated team can provide you with the necessary resources to keep up with the demands.
3. Lack of Expertise
Businesses may dabble in projects that require highly specific skills that their in-house staff might not possess. Whether it’s advanced knowledge of a particular programming language, specific domains, or industry updates, a dedicated software development team can provide their expertise. They can specialize in the following areas, including but not limited to:
- Web Development
- Mobile App Development
- Front-End and Back-End Development
- Full-Stack Development
- Game Development
- Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
- Data Science and Machine Learning
- Cybersecurity
- UI/UX and Product Development
- DevOps
- DataOps
- Quality Assurance and Testing
4. Tight Deadlines and Time-to-Market Pressure
In scenarios where time is of the essence—such as in highly competitive markets or when launching a minimum viable product (MVP)—a dedicated development team can expedite the process. Since they are solely focused on your project, they ensure timely delivery without compromising quality.
5. Budget Constraints
Hiring a dedicated development team is more cost-effective than building an in-house team in the long run. With this collaboration model, businesses can access top talent without incurring the overhead costs associated with full-time employees, such as benefits and training.
Ways to Outsource Software Development
If you feel that hiring a dedicated development team is the best fit for your company, it’s time to explore your options. The two prominent outsourcing models for software development are managed services and staff augmentation.
While each has its own advantages, it’s important to understand the difference between managed services and staff augmentation to know which model works best for your needs and goals.
Staff Augmentation
This model involves supplementing your existing team with additional developers on a short-term, project-based agreement. It’s ideal for projects with fluctuating workloads or specific skill set requirements.
Managed Services
The managed services model is optimal for ongoing, long-term projects where you need end-to-end development capabilities. The provider takes full responsibility for all aspects of the project so that businesses can focus on their core activities.
With these two models in mind, you can now proceed to hiring a dedicated team.
Steps to Hire a Dedicated Software Development Team
An outsourcing model serves as a foundation when building a dedicated team. By its very nature, a dedicated software development team is a fully functional and complete group—not an extension of your in-house team. It gives you immediate access to a pool of specialized talent and allows you to maintain control.
Here’s a step-by-step guide that simplifies how to hire a dedicated software development team:
1. Define Your Needs
Before initiating the hiring process, it’s essential to clearly outline your project requirements. Consider the following:
- Project Scope: What are the specific functionalities and timelines?
- Technical Expertise: What skills and technologies are necessary for the project?
- Team Composition: Determine the size and roles needed within the team (e.g., developers, QA engineers, project managers).
- Budget: Establish a budget and payment structure to ensure financial alignment.
2. Find Potential Partners
Next, search for potential vendors. You can ask for recommendations from peers or industry contracts, attend trade events, or conduct online research. Compile a list of candidates and narrow down your options based on criteria that fit your project requirements.
3. Connect with Shortlisted Vendors and Receive Proposals
After getting a shortlist of providers, contact all of them to discuss your project. Once you’ve collected offers from different potential partners, the time has come to choose who to work with. Remember that at this point, you do not have a team yet. The real work of building the team comes later.
4. Third-Party Provider Forms the Team
A trusted staff augmentation provider will create a team based exactly on your criteria. More importantly, they will offer their own insights to help you build your dream team. Members must possess proven experience and technical expertise and align with your company’s values.
5. Define Work Procedures
Effective communication is critical when working with a dedicated team, especially if they are located offshore. Establish clear communication protocols, including regular check-ins, project management tools, and cultural alignment to foster a collaborative environment.
6. Onboard and Integrate
Once selected, onboard the team smoothly. Ensure they are given proper orientation not only on the project itself but also on the company. Schedule consistent meetings to discuss progress and address any issues. Define what success looks like for the team and communicate these goals.
Let Eastvantage Build Your Dream Team
Businesses are now seeing the value of outsourcing software development services to fill in skill gaps and enhance the efficiency and outcomes of their projects. By following a structured approach to define requirements, source candidates, and manage the team, CTOs can make informed decisions that align with their strategic objectives.
If you’re planning to build a dedicated team, search no further than Eastvantage. We provide a full suite of software development solutions that push boundaries while keeping costs in check. Let us work on your project from conception to completion… and beyond!
Book a call now.
