Dedicated team
IT outsourcing

Dedicated development team all-in-one guide: How to hire and manage

July 23, 2024
Dedicated development team all-in-one guide: How to hire and manageDedicated development team all-in-one guide: How to hire and manage

In the competitive tech landscape, where rapid innovation is crucial, the need for specialized software development skills is more critical than ever. However, hiring an in-house team can be challenging, often involving lengthy and complex recruitment processes.

By choosing a dedicated team, companies can avoid these hurdles and save valuable time and resources. This approach allows businesses to quickly and efficiently assemble a team with the necessary skills and expertise to meet their project needs.

In this blog post, we'll explore the dedicated team model, its benefits, and provide a step-by-step guide to effectively hiring a dedicated development team. Understanding this model can help you make informed decisions, enhancing your project outcomes and driving your business forward.

What is the dedicated team model?

The dedicated team model is a popular approach in software development outsourcing where a client hires a team of professionals from a service provider to work exclusively on their project. This model is often used for long-term projects or when a client needs to augment their in-house team with specialized skills.

When should you use dedicated development team services?

Hiring skilled developers in-house can be time-consuming and costly, requiring significant effort and overhead. Consequently, many companies opt for dedicated third-party developers. A dedicated development team is beneficial for new product launches, scaling products, meeting tight deadlines, handling projects with evolving requirements, managing long-term projects, and addressing a lack of in-house expertise. Here’s a detailed look at these scenarios:

New product release and launch

For launching new products, having a dedicated development team ensures a smooth transition from concept to release. This dedicated team brings the necessary expertise and focus to efficiently bring your vision to market. Startups and enterprises benefit from quickly assembling a dedicated software development team to jumpstart development and meet specific business needs effectively.

Product scaling

Scaling a product requires the right resources and expertise to manage increased complexity and workload. A dedicated team offers specialized skills to ensure seamless and effective growth. This model is particularly beneficial for companies aiming to expand their development capabilities without the long-term commitment and overhead of hiring new employees. Outsourcing development to a dedicated team with relevant domain and tech stack expertise can save costs and reduce scheduling variances.

Tight deadlines and budget constraints

By outsourcing your project, you can avoid the complexities of hiring developers. Carefully selected team members based on your budget can deliver a fully functional team within2-3 weeks. Outsourcing is a cost-effective solution for small businesses and startups to access skilled tech talent, especially in regions with lower labor costs, such as Central and Eastern Europe. This approach helps mitigate high developer salaries in developed countries while considering cultural alignment and time zone differences.

Projects with evolving requirements

Projects with unclear or evolving requirements benefit greatly from a dedicated team model. This approach offers the flexibility to adapt to changes without significant disruptions. The dedicated team collaborates closely with yours, enabling rapid adjustments and iterative improvements as requirements become clearer. This flexibility is essential for projects likely to undergo changes, necessitating a team that can quickly adapt and pivot.

Long-term projects with continuous updates

A consistent team of dedicated developers ensures stability and deep project knowledge, reducing onboarding time and costs while maintaining a steady development pace. This model is ideal for projects requiring ongoing development, maintenance, and updates. By hiring a dedicated team, businesses can continuously update their requirements while ensuring high-quality products throughout the entire development lifecycle.

Dedicated development team- chart

Addressing lack of in-house expertise

When your in-house team lacks the necessary expertise for a specific project, a dedicated development team is the ideal solution. This allows you to focus on strategic goals without the time and effort needed to train your staff. Hiring dedicated developers with strong expertise in specific technologies ensures your project progresses efficiently and leverages the latest technological advancements. For example, if you require specialists in mobile app development, a dedicated team can provide the expertise to deliver high-quality apps to your clients.

According to Deloitte Global Outsourcing Survey 2022, 76% of all surveyed executives indicated their IT services were delivered via third-party models. 

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How to hire a dedicated team: step-by-step?

Dedicated development team - How to hire  a dedicated team: step-by-step?

Hiring dedicated remote developers can greatly enhance your operations, reduce infrastructure costs, and save both time and money. Follow this step-by-step guide to navigate the hiring process efficiently.

Step 1

Clarify your expectations

Start by clearly defining your project requirements and company goals. Identify the skills, qualifications, and expertise needed to achieve these goals. This will help attract developers who are genuinely interested and capable of meeting your expectations.

Step 2

Conduct market research

Research potential vendors based on your language, geography, and budget preferences. Platforms like Clutch and GoodFirms can provide valuable insights into outsourcing companies' locations, rates, reviews, expertise, and project examples. Evaluate these factors to narrow down your list of potential vendors.

Where to look for dedicated developers

  • References: Ask for recommendations from other businesses that have recently hired dedicated development teams, considering their experiences and project types. Partner and customer opinions are crucial in the selection process, enabling you to quickly proceed to specific discussions in initial meetings.
  • Outsourcing companies: Offshore companies are often the best option as they already have experienced teams and save you the hassle of individual screening.
  • Search engines: Use search engines to find dedicated development teams, referring to reviews and ratings. Job boards and bidding websites can also be useful.
Step 3

Vendor review and selection

When evaluating vendors, consider:

  • Effective communication processes: Ensure the vendor has well-established processes and strong communication practices.
  • Compatibility: Consider time zone differences, language barriers, and cultural differences.
  • Domain knowledge: Check their understanding of your industry and proven expertise through case studies and client testimonials.
  • Expertise: Ensure the company’s developers have knowledge of relevant platforms, technologies, and tools.
  • Technical capacity: Look for adherence to internationally recognized standards and certifications like ISO and CMMI.
Step 4

Conduct personal interviews

Interview candidates to assess not only their technical skills but also their personal and professional attributes. Ensure they fit well with your existing team and have the right attitude for the project. Your in-house team, especially project managers and IT staff, should be involved in these interviews.

Step 5

Choosing a vendor

After thorough research and interviews, choose a vendor based on experience, portfolio, and communication. Methods to finalize your decision include:

  • Detailed written questionnaire: Collect comprehensive information from the vendor.
  • Online meetings: Discuss specifics and clarify doubts.
  • References: Check references to ensure the vendor’s reliability.
Step 6

Onboarding and integration

A professional vendor will assist with the onboarding process. To facilitate this:

  • Clearly outline your expectations for new hires.
  • Provide necessary tools and access ahead of time.
  • Prepare step-by-step instructions for setting up the development environment.
  • Arrange team meetings to introduce new developers and explain their roles.
  • Keep new team members updated on the project's status and ensure they have access to all relevant documents.

Common pitfalls to avoid when hiring dedicated developers

Undervaluing communication and time zone differences

Effective communication is crucial when working with an offshore team to avoid delays and misunderstandings due to time zone differences. Establish a robust communication plan with set meeting times and use collaboration tools to ensure clarity. Given potential language barriers, familiarize your remote team with your communication tools and protocols, outline information types for specific channels, and set expected response times. This structured approach enhances interaction efficiency and minimizes misunderstandings.

Ignoring cultural differences

Ignoring cultural differences

Cultural differences can affect communication styles, work habits, and expectations. Take the time to understand the cultural background of your offshore team to foster better collaboration and avoid potential conflicts. Cultural training for both your in-house and offshore teams can be beneficial.

“The success of your cooperation with an IT service provider is strongly tired to your cultural fit. When considering a company to outsource its services, pay due attention to the values of the team and its working approach. The unity of views and similar attitude to work help build effective communication throughout the process.”

Kanstantsin Miranovich
Co-Founder / CTO
Kanstantsin Miranovich
Not protecting intellectual property with NDAs

Not protecting intellectual property with NDAs

Failing to protect intellectual property with NDAs can be risky. To minimize potential issues when hiring a dedicated team, it's essential to establish strong contractual agreements. One critical component is the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). This legally binding document ensures that all confidential information shared between the parties stays secure and isn't disclosed to third parties. By having your developers sign an NDA, you ensure that sensitive data and proprietary information are protected, safeguarding your intellectual property from unauthorized access or misuse.

Lack of proper onboarding

Lack of proper onboarding

Proper onboarding of your dedicated developers is crucial for their understanding of your company's processes, tools, and culture. An inadequate onboarding process can lead to longer ramp-up times and lower productivity. Provide comprehensive onboarding to integrate the new team smoothly into your existing workflow.

Prioritizing cost over quality

Prioritizing cost over quality

Rushing to hire a third-party team that offers the lowest rates can lead to low results. Rather than ending up with a generic product, invest in a solution that is reliable, efficient, and functional, even if it costs more. The investment will pay off through higher ROI over time. Focus on the value and quality of the development rather than just the price to avoid costly mistakes down the line.

Overcommitting resources

Overcommitting resources

Clear communication with your development team is essential to achieving your company’s goals. Hiring skilled engineers worldwide can save time and help you focus on your core objectives. Look for experts who can translate your ideas into reality and opt for companies that provide design sprints and prototype workshops. Avoid long-term contracts or minimum developer requirements that may lead to excessive costs. Understand your exact needs and hire only the necessary resources. 

Overlooking the need for a project manager

Overlooking the need for a project manager

Startups or businesses new to building a software development team often skip the crucial role of a project manager. This person ensures seamless communication between the programming team and the client, validates processes, and assigns responsibilities. Effective communication is key to project success, and a project manager plays a vital role in this. If your team lacks this expertise, ensure your service partner provides it. 

Not conducting thorough interviews

Not conducting thorough interviews

Don’t depend solely on the reputation of the offshore development company. Even reputable companies might not fully understand your specific needs or not make your cultural fit. Conduct detailed interviews with each developer to ensure they align with your objectives and can deliver the desired results.

Dedicated developers from TYMIQ

TYMIQ specializes in tailored dedicated development teams composed of highly skilled professionals with extensive technical expertise. Our agile teams seamlessly integrate with your operations, delivering efficient solutions for launching new products, scaling existing ones, and managing projects with evolving requirements. We streamline team assembly for rapid deployment, ensuring flexibility to meet tight deadlines and budget constraints effectively.

Our commitment extends to long-term project support with stable, cohesive teams that minimize onboarding time and costs while maximizing development output. By leveraging TYMIQ’s dedicated developers, you gain access to specialized skills in the latest technologies, allowing your organization to pursue strategic initiatives without the complexities of hiring and training additional staff.

Partner with TYMIQ for dedicated development services that provide superior results, tailored to your unique business needs and objectives. Experience a reliable, efficient, and innovative approach to software development that drives success and fosters continuous growth.

FAQ

What is a primary characteristic of the dedicated project team structure?

A key characteristic of the dedicated project team structure is that the team is exclusively focused on a single project for its duration. This means the team members are fully committed to the project, with no distractions from other tasks or projects. This structure often leads to better alignment, deeper engagement, and higher productivity as the team can fully immerse themselves in the project's goals and challenges.

What are the benefits of dedicated software teams?

The benefits of dedicated software teams include:

  • Access to global talent: Hire the best talent from anywhere.
  • Cost savings: Reduce office and overhead expenses.
  • Increased productivity: Fewer distractions and flexible hours.
  • Flexibility and scalability: Easily scale the workforce as needed.
  • Employee satisfaction: Better work-life balance and retention.
  • Environmental benefits: Lower carbon footprint.
  • Business continuity: Uninterrupted operations during local disruptions.
  • Diverse perspectives: Innovative solutions from a varied team.
  • 24/7 operations: Continuous progress with different time zones.
What is the cost of hiring a dedicated software development team?

The cost of hiring a dedicated software development team can vary widely depending on several factors, including the team's size, expertise, location, and the complexity of the project. On average:

  • Hourly rates: Rates can range from $20 to $150 per hour. Offshore developers in countries like India or Ukraine typically charge lower rates ($20-$50/hour), while developers in the US or Western Europe may charge higher rates ($80-$150/hour).
  • Monthly costs: A small team of 3-5 developers might cost between $10,000 and $50,000 per month.
  • Project-based costs: For a specific project, costs can range from $50,000 to several million dollars, depending on the scope and duration.
How long does it take to start the onboarding process?

With TYMIQ, your project starts within 2-4 weeks. Our streamlined processes and efficient onboarding ensure that our dedicated team can start working on your software development needs with minimal delay.

Explore the benefits of TYMIQ's dedicated development teams

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