Almost all companies depend on quality software to one degree or another. Own mobile applications, websites, and business process management systems — all this plays a vital role in the competitiveness and efficiency of a business.
However, finding a team of professional and experienced developers who can realize the project qualitatively and on time can take time and effort. This article will look at the key steps and best practices for finding the right software development team.
Defining project needs and goals
Before starting software development, it is crucial to clearly define what functions your software should perform.
- You need to understand the business goals of the project. For example, a mobile application may attract new customers, optimize business processes, or increase the existing audience’s loyalty.
- Based on the goals, the requirements for the application functionality, its technical characteristics, and its design should be formulated. This will allow developers to understand what tasks the product solves.
- Defining the key indicators by which the project’s success will be evaluated is necessary. For example, an increase in website conversion and growth in orders or active application users.
- Based on these data, the terms of reference are drawn up as a document that will guide the development process. It should specify functional requirements, timelines, project budgets, and success criteria.
A clear definition of the needs and goals will help find the right development team and implement the project per the original objectives.
Selecting the right development team
After defining the goals and requirements for the software, you need to select the team that will take on its implementation. There are two main options: outsourcing or your internal team.
In the case of outsourcing, development is performed by a third-party company on a contractual basis. This option allows you to quickly gain the necessary competencies without increasing the staff. The disadvantages include less control and more significant risks.
An in-house team knows the business better but requires time and resources for its formation. Besides, after the project is completed, you will have to solve the issue of its utilization.
If you choose to outsource software developers, you should pay attention to the following criteria:
- Portfolio of realized projects of similar complexity and subject matter.
- Feedback from previous clients.
- Experience with the technologies required for your project.
- Compliance with deadlines and budget to your expectations.
Paying attention to the team’s experience working with different software development methodologies is especially important. As the Uptech resource notes, no one-size-fits-all methodology exists for all projects and teams. Therefore, flexibility and experience with methods are critical factors when selecting developers.
Interacting with a potential development team is essential to ensure they are professional and understand your needs.
Careful selection of developers will avoid code quality issues, missed deadlines, and budget overruns. It means that the original goals will be realized in the project.
Working effectively with the development team
The software development process begins once the right development team has been selected. To make it a success, it is essential to organize the work in such a way as:
- Proper tasking. Divide the project into stages and give the team straightforward tasks for each of them. It will allow you to monitor progress better.
- Regular monitoring of results. Check the developers’ work at the end of a phase to ensure it is up to par.
- Choosing the suitable development model. For example, agile hybrid models (Scrumban) allow for faster response to change.
- Regular communication. Daily standups or weekly meetings can help you resolve issues quickly.
- Timely feedback to developers. Be sure to point out flaws in the work before the end of a phase.
- Motivate the team with quality work and timely payment. It will increase their engagement.
- Use convenient project management tools (Jira, Trello, Slack, etc.).
Following these recommendations will help build a productive workflow with the development team. It means that the project will be realized in compliance with quality requirements and deadlines.
Mistakes when selecting developers and how to avoid them
The process of choosing a development team involves some common mistakes that should be avoided:
- Vague requirements for candidates. It is necessary to specify the required experience, skills, and qualification level as much as possible. Otherwise, there is a risk of hiring an unsuitable person.
- Lack of technical interview. Testing programming skills and not relying only on the resume is necessary.
- Superficial portfolio check. It is essential to deeply understand the candidate’s cases and evaluate the code quality in his projects.
- Ignoring soft skills. In addition to technical skills, communication and teamwork are essential.
- Slow hiring process. A long search can lead to losing the best candidates who have accepted other offers.
You need a thorough and thoughtful approach to recruiting developers to avoid these mistakes. Stick to clear requirements, test technical skills, assess personality traits, and make decisions on candidates promptly. It will help you build a solid and effective team.
Conclusion
Thus, to successfully recruit a development team, it is essential to follow the recommendations described above — from clearly defining the requirements to building the process of evaluating candidates and motivating the already hired team.
As the authoritative Forbes publication notes, a structured and thoughtful approach to hiring developers, including test assignments, assessment of teamwork skills, and quick decision-making, allows you to attract the best specialists in this sphere.
Following advanced recommendations and best practices in hiring technical specialists will help companies build a strong development team capable of creating high-quality, competitive IT products.
