words Al Woods
Building a successful remote development team is about technological advance, time control, fresh perspective, and cost-effectiveness. It has been already proven that working remotely brings more creativity and motivation while requiring less time and money for problem-solving.
For a business, it gives a bigger talent pool and new opportunities from a global perspective. Though there are some issues as well. One of them is the ability to distribute team roles and responsibilities properly, thus organizing a remote team that works.
So, what are the pitfalls? Why do some IT companies fail in distributing work while others succeed and grow?
The key is to approach consciously. How? Let’s take a look at it.
How to Distribute Roles and Responsibilities in a Remote Software Development Team
The way you distribute roles in software development matters, especially if we are talking about working distantly and outsourcing. The great benefit here is that you can hire the resources across the globe without limiting yourself to one country or continent.
The main question is how to do that right?
Key Aspects of Getting a Successful Remote Software Development Team Right
Here are the main aspects of creating a team and avoiding mistakes in software development culture.
- Have the right people on your team. A productive work process can’t begin until you have the right people. Make sure you hire not only those with the knowledge but rather those who are inspired. Look for those who are ready to invest their time in the project. While interviewing, ask people how they prioritize their tasks and plan the day while working distantly. Are they ready to master new skills?
- Can’t find the right people? Seek references. Online platforms and your network will help. Why not reach out to a perfect candidate on LinkedIn?
- Know the basics. You have to understand the basics of software development before starting a new project. For example, know the difference between front-end and back-end developers. Which one do you need? Or what skills are you looking for in your QA or designer team?
- Look overseas. Don’t be afraid of outsourcing and looking for key software development team roles abroad. It gives access to new knowledge and experience in the field. And you are not limited by your current geographical location. Plus, cost reduction is one of the main benefits of outsourcing for medium-sized companies. Even small businesses can go abroad searching for talents. What should you start with? Look for the third party providers that supply the roles that can be outsourcedand create digital solutions for hundreds of companies all over the world. Those providers handle all of the logistic issues of hiring a developer or a QA from another country.
If you are still not sure whether you need outsourcing or not, read more about Skype, Slack, and Unilever. They are great examples of a successful outsourcing model.
- Structure the team. When it comes to software development teamwork, the structure is everything. Make sure you have a core of it. Product manager, product owner, developers, and QAs are core software development roles to focus on. Before diving into any project, look at whether you have already built that or not. Otherwise, you can end up with something different to what you picture in your mind initially. Remember, you will have five-seven key project roles involved.
- Use project management platforms. They make planning, scheduling, reviewing, and tracking projects online much easier. What tools are better to use? Anything from JIRA and Trello to Basecamp and Wrike. For a team working from all over the world, productive online meetings are something to establish from the very beginning. To collaborate efficiently and answer instantly, you will need tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, or Zoom. Do you need all of them? No. Do you need both a video call/ conference tool and a messenger? Yes. If your team faces difficulties during a work process, check whether it has something to do with communication first.
Building a successful team means creating a competitive process. Outsourcing particularly is one of the best ways of doing that if you are looking for a reduction in a project budget. Or if you cannot find a person with those specific skills on your market. It also allows the projects to be done quickly as your team can be increased or decreased depending on the job you are doing at the moment. Remember it while building your own software team.
