Modern software development requires high flexibility and adaptability. One of the most popular approaches that allows businesses to successfully implement projects is a dedicated team of developers. This format brings together experts who work exclusively on the tasks of a specific business, ensuring maximum attention to detail and high quality of the result. It is important to understand that a dedicated team is not just a set of specialists, but a comprehensive solution that includes the organization of work processes, management, and control. Companies using the managed software team concept receive additional benefits due to optimized management and increased team efficiency.
What Is a Dedicated Team?
A dedicated team is an IT team hired by a customer to achieve their business goals. Such a team works on one specific project, for example, solving a technical problem in developing a mobile application or developing a complex CRM system. A dedicated team reports directly to the customer or works under the supervision of a project manager. It can completely replace the internal development team or become part of it. This format of interaction allows you to complete projects in a short time and maintain high-quality of work.
How Does a Dedicated Software Team Work?
The stages of engaging a dedicated team to perform any project are usually the following:
- Gathering requirements. The contractor studies the project objectives and the customer’s wishes.
- Selecting specialists. Based on the requirements, the contractor selects employees with relevant experience and the necessary technical background.
- Team implementation. The customer determines convenient communication channels and begins interaction with the project manager. All team members gradually begin the project.
- Feedback. The team begins the process of implementing the assigned tasks. The customer receives information about the results of the work, makes adjustments, and pays for the employment of all team members according to the agreed rates and periods.
Advantages of a Managed Software Team
In general, the approach involving a managed software developers allow companies to focus on their business tasks, entrusting project and team management to professionals. Among the main advantages of a managed software team:
- Cost reduction. The customer hires a ready-made team and pays for hourly work. They do not spend additional funds on capital expenditures (CAPEX) and can invest in other business tasks or operating expenses (OPEX). A dedicated team is often cheaper than the lengthy process of hiring full-time developers.
- Expertise and adaptability. A dedicated team is guaranteed to have relevant work experience and can quickly apply their knowledge in a new area.
- Communication and monitoring. The customer is always aware of the ongoing processes and can make any adjustments that the team is ready to implement immediately.
- Flexibility. The customer’s projects may involve various tasks and requirements. A dedicated team easily adapts to the scale and stage of the project. There is always the possibility of attracting, replacing specialists or quickly reducing the team.
Who Can Be Part of a Dedicated Development Team?
The specific composition of the team depends on the project goals, its deadlines, and the resources spent. The following roles are most common:
- Frontend and Backend developers. They develop the product interface and its software and hardware.
- UX/UI designers. They create the user interface, describe and implement the user path, and help make the product visually pleasing and intuitive.
- Testers. They check the product for compliance with technical requirements, evaluate the product’s functionality, and provide feedback to developers.
- DevOps engineers. They automate the deployment of infrastructure and ensure continuous product updates through the implementation of improvements.
- Business analysts. They build communication between the customer and the development team. Transform business requirements into specific technical tasks.
- Project managers. They manage the implementation of the project, monitor the team’s performance, and develop strategic decisions.
When Should You Not Hire a Dedicated Team?
When you are implementing a short-term project or your company has enough expertise and free resources to achieve the set goals, hiring a dedicated team is not justified. The dedicated team model is suitable for implementing long-term projects where requirements change frequently. The team can quickly adapt to new conditions and does not delay the development process.
How to Select an Effective Dedicated Team?
Selecting an effective dedicated team is an important step in the successful implementation of any IT project. Not only the speed and quality of development but also the ultimate success of the product depends on the correct choice of specialists. To select an effective dedicated team, it is recommended to take the following steps:
- Conduct market research. Compare several potential contractors, and analyze the experience and rates of the proposed specialists. Make sure that you get employees directly from the IT company, and not through intermediaries.
- Study the portfolio. Check the contractor’s background, review the list of completed projects, evaluate the structure of processes within the company and flexibility if there is a need to expand the team.
- Conduct an interview. Invite specialists to an interview and independently question the candidates about their experience and skills.
Potential Challenges When Working with a Dedicated Team
Working with a dedicated team can be an effective solution for many projects, but it is not without potential challenges.
- Cultural differences.
If the team is located in another country, there may be differences in approaches to work and communication. The solution is to conduct onboarding and regular synchronization.
- Time zones.
Different time zones can complicate interaction. However, proper planning of meetings and flexible work schedules help to mitigate this disadvantage.
- Risks of data leakage.
When working with external specialists, it is important to conclude NDAs and use secure channels for information exchange.
Conclusion
A dedicated development team is an effective solution for implementing complex and large-scale projects. It allows you to optimize resources, minimize risks, and ensure high productivity, especially with proper management. Using the managed development team approach, companies can achieve process transparency, strict deadlines, and high product quality. If you are looking for a reliable managed software team service provider, we recommend paying attention to Implex.
