An Ultimate Guide
Businesses worldwide are embracing the technological revolution and are looking for ways to optimize their operations. Software development is the main contributor to this shift. Almost every single day new software launches on the market and takes the world by storm.
But have you ever wondered how businesses keep up with these emerging trends and manage the cost of high-quality software development? This is where outsourcing comes in, helping businesses to address their software development needs on their own terms. The IT outsourcing sector is projected to reach US$587.3 billion by 2027. This proves that outsourcing teams have become a viable cost resilience strategy in an environment where companies are looking for savings more than ever.
Dedicated development team is one of these outsourcing models that offer a range of benefits to the businesses like flexibility, control over the development processes, specialized expertise, and much more.
In this guide, you will find about the What is Dedicated Development Team Model?, How to Hire a Dedicated Development Team?, Benefits of Hiring Dedicated Development Team, Characteristics of Dedicated Software Development Teams, and much more about Dedicated developers team. So let’s dig in:
A dedicated development team refers to the outsourcing model in software development in which the client and the service provider collaborate to work on a single project. It is a long-term partnership where the team works exclusively for the client like the in-house team and reports directly to them.
Hiring dedicated offshore developers is one of the best outsourcing models. But that doesn’t mean it’s a “one size fits all” model. There are certain situations in which hiring offshore dedicated developers can be favorable:
Businesses can also hire dedicated developers for short-term projects with a tight deadline. This outsourcing model not only provides a pool of specialized talent but also fast speed to market.
Hiring dedicated developers is very different from traditional hiring. As per this model, the client outsources the project to the service provider (the outsourcing company). The software development outsourcing company provides the client with a top-of-the-line team. Here’s how it works:
This is the first stage of the collaboration. The client sends RFP to the potential vendors to solicit proposals for providing a Dedicated Development Team. RFP is a document that defines the project scope and clients’ requirements. This document also aids in determining the required skill set, number of developers, and cost of hiring.
Once both parties have agreed upon the requirements, it’s time to set up the team. This process starts with outlining contract terms and signing the contract. After this step the vendor assembles the team as per the clients’ requirements. The software outsourcing company chooses from the available talent pool of the company. If they don’t have enough talent available, more talent is hired from outside.
In this step the dedicated development team relates to the client for further collaboration. The dedicated project delivery manager oversees the project and keeps both teams on the same page. He is the go-to person who keeps track of team effort, progress of the project and ensures the project is completed in time within the agreed budget.
This is the stage when the actual work on the project starts. Either the client-side project manager or the dedicated project manager assigns the task to the developers. The development process is customized by the Dedicated Development Team as per client’s specifications and needs.
The project then goes through the quality assurance stage to make sure it meets the clients’ standards and requirements.
Once the project is clear quality assurance engineers, it is delivered to the client. Maintenance and support are provided if needed.
The members of the dedicated development team depend on the project requirements. However, the team usually comprises:
When working with remote dedicated software development teams, professionalism is the bare minimum that clients expect. The Dedicated Developers Team member’s professional work ethic makes team collaboration a lot easier. This professional attribute of dedicated developers is very crucial for the success of the project.
But how can the professionalism of the team members be assessed? Well, professionalism doesn’t mean that the candidate has good hard skills. While assessing the professionalism of Dedicated Development Team, it should be made sure that each member possesses a perfect blend of hard and soft skills.
One cannot emphasize enough the importance of clear communication when it comes to working with teams in an offshore setting. It is very much synonymous with the success of the project. So, while hiring a dedicated software development team, it should be made sure that the team understands the importance of clear communication and utilizes every means to make it happen.
Most of the time, both teams struggle with communication because no proper communication channels and guidelines have been set beforehand. Thus, misunderstandings arise.
The main reason for inefficiency among the dedicated development team is the lack of clear roles. Defining clear roles in the team setup stage is very important to avoid confusion and conflicts. You cannot expect a team member with a specialized skillset to perform multiple tasks outside his niche. Therefore, the best dedicated software development teams have clear roles.
Diversity among the teams is one of the striking characteristics of a good, dedicated development team. Members with various complementary skills and backgrounds ensure that the project is approached from multiple perspectives and the solution is well rounded and comprehensive.
Emotional intelligence is very important in a dedicated development to cope with the tension and stress that is experienced at certain points of the project. Individuals with this quality are not only able to manage stress effectively but also communicate effectively and work collaboratively.
Great teams understand the importance of their ultimate goals and requirements provided by the client. As a result, their actions are aligned with the objectives that you are trying to achieve.
Here a some of the benefits of hiring dedicated developers:
It is one of the most economically viable and practical option when it comes to software development. There are no extra expenses attached with hiring dedicated developers as compared to hiring in-house teams. Also, companies must pay only for the resources working on the project
There is an entire team at your disposal that solely focuses on the project. This way it gets the needed attention to get completed in time.
Dedicated Developers Teams are highly adaptable and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each project. They can quickly adjust to changing project requirements, ensuring that the project stays on track and meets its objectives. Additionally, DDTs can be highly focused on a specific set of tasks, ensuring that they deliver high-quality work with greater efficiency and speed.
DDTs often comprise a team of highly specialized professionals with expertise in specific technologies and tools. This can include experience in software development frameworks, programming languages, cloud platforms, DevOps tools, and other critical areas. By leveraging the specialized skills of a Dedicated Developers Team, businesses can ensure that their project is in good hands and that they are getting the best possible results.
Businesses have greater control over the project and its resources when working with a DDT. They can communicate directly with the team, monitor their progress, and make changes as needed to ensure that the project stays on track.
Dedicated Development Teams are often more efficient and effective in delivering quality software products on time and within budget. This can help businesses to gain a competitive advantage and get their products to market before their competitors.
Hiring dedicated offshore development teams businesses with the flexibility of scaling the team up or down as needed, depending on the project’s requirements.
The fixed price model works best for small projects with defined goals and budget. For example, in projects like web and mobile app development, website redesign and new software implementation, the deliverables are clear from the outset.
In the fixed price model arrangement, the software development company and the client agree upon a fixed budget for project completion. The outsourcing company is solely responsible for the completion of the project and the client has little to no involvement. One of the major advantages of this model is that it is a very straightforward approach to software development.
This model is very risky when it comes to long-term projects with changing requirements. As adjusting budget and timeline becomes challenging which can cause scoop creep and cost overrun.
Here are some of the advantages of fixed price model:
In the dedicated development team model, a team of developers with specialized skillset is provided that exclusively works for the client. It is a cost-effective option that provides flexibility of scaling the team up or down as per the project requirements. It is best suited for large, complex and long-term projects with changing requirements.
In this model, the client is almost fully involved throughout the project and the dedicated development team works as an extension of the in-house team. Also the team members are paid on a monthly basis as per pre-decided monthly rate.
The time and material is a model in which the software development team is paid for the time and material utilized for the project. As in the hourly rate of each team member is determined and the client is billed as per the actual hours worked and the materials used to complete the project.
This model is ideal in a situation where the client wants more control over the project and adjusts the scope and requirements. It is because certain projects cannot be scoped accurately e.g. the research and development project where the requirements are evolved with new findings.
The main difference between the dedicated development team model and T&M is control and flexibility. In the time and material model, the client is more in control than the DDT. However, this is an expensive option as the client has to pay for the hours worked no matter what the progress is.
IT staff augmentation is an outsourcing model that is focused on filling the skill gap in the clients’ team. As per this model, external IT professionals are hired on a temporary basis as an extension of the in-house team. Such professionals are either hired individually or in a team to provide additional expertise to complete a project. The team is usually paid on an hourly or daily basis depending on the contract and level of expertise provided.
On the other hand, DDT is an outsourcing model for companies looking to hire a team exclusively working on a specific project.
Dedicated Teams | IT Staff Augmentation |
An entire software development project is outsourced to an external team. | Adding individual developers to the existing team in-house in order to deliver the project on time. |
A dedicated team works exclusively on one single project and won’t work alongside any other project. | Augmented staff can be deployed on various projects, as it depends on the availability and requirements provided to the outsourcing company. |
Ideal for long-term complex projects where requirements evolve. | Ideal for short-term projects with tight timelines. |
Often hired to deliver a complete project starting from zero. | Often resources are hired with specialized skillsets or to fill certain skillset gaps. |
The model supports long-term project development and offers flexibility and scalability. | The model supports businesses in achieving urgent deadlines and speeds up the development lifecycle. |
Comparison | Dedicated Development Teams | In-House Development Teams |
Definition | A dedicated development team refers to the outsourcing model in software development in which a dedicated team of developers is allocated on a specific project. | Building software development team following company structures without seeking third-party/vendor help. |
Duration | Depends on the complexity of the project. The team is liberated as soon as the project ends. | Developers are hired for long-term development operations within the company for different projects. |
Management | The team is managed by the client. In some cases, Dedicated Development Teams work independently under the supervision of a manager | The project is managed with close monitoring and team collaboration. The company manages their employees |
Cost-effective | The most cost-effective option. | High Cost of hiring resources and setting up the infrastructure. |
Kick-off time | You get instant hiring (pre-vetted developers) and can start the project quickly. | Filtering applicants, conducting interviews, and technical assessments. Takes a lot of time. |
Talent Acquisition | Acquiring talent is easy since the approach is global. | Searching for talent isn’t easy, especially in the same city/state/country. |
Working Hours | Time zone differences will exist if you opt for offshore development. | No time zone difference. |
Hire a dedicated development team can be a great option for startups or businesses that are expanding. It is also a cost-saving opportunity for established companies with specific project needs. Here are some of the factors that might help you determine when the right time is to hire dedicated developers.
There are certain projects that are resource intensive. In such cases hiring in-house talent can be daunting and expensive. Dedicated development teams provide you with a diverse talent pool to complete the project within time and budget.
Projects involving technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Machine Learning (ML), Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), and more require profound expertise to be completed. Hiring dedicated developers can be a good choice because these individuals are current with the latest trends. Also, they might help you with the research and development required to navigate the complexities of new technologies.
If a company wants to save itself from longer requirement processes and rapidly scale the team, Dedicated Development Team is the only option. The on demand dedicated development teams have pre-screened developers ready to be onboarded.
The dedicated development model provides the client with the control to determine the scope and requirements of the projects and adjust them accordingly.
If the project’s timeline is more than six months and needs consistent development, you definitely need to hire a dedicated development team.
Hiring dedicated development teams can prove to be a beneficial strategy for businesses aiming to build high quality software products. But there are certain challenges that companies face while hiring these teams. Here we have enlisted some of those challenges:
The dedicated offshore development teams are working beyond the borders. So, managing a Dedicated Developers Team is going to be a challenge as compared to managing an in-house teams. There are instances when communication and collaboration are disrupted. Hence it becomes difficult to track the progress of the project.
Your dedicated software development belongs to a different country with a different cultural background. This can result in a difference between the work ethics and principles of the main team and the dedicated development team.
It is not possible to find the right talent straight away. You will have to go through a considerable number of candidates to finally select the right fit for the project.
If you are hiring a team of dedicated developers, you should have a big budget since the rates are very high sometimes.
Both teams can have coordination issues at times and can deviate from their goals and objectives.
These are some of the challenges that companies might face while hiring a dedicated development team. Although effective management and being prepared for the risks beforehand can save them from a lot of hassle.
Founders tend to make several mistakes while hiring offshore developers which can adversely affect the quality of the product. Here are some of the mistakes that need to be avoided while hiring dedicated developers:
Not providing the team with the right tools and support.
Managing offshore dedicated developers effectively is very crucial for the success of the project. It can become challenging sometimes, but certain strategies and best practices can ensure that the team is productive and in good spirits:
By clear communication we mean that the team members feel free to communicate their ideas and concerns. It plays the main role in the success of any software development project as it sets a base for innovation in the dedicated development team and leaves no room for ambiguity.
Defining the scope of the project, identifying key milestones and setting deadlines at the start of the project is very important in managing a dedicated development team.
Identify the team needs and provide them with the right tools and technologies that can aid them in the development process. Also provide training and support for using these tools.
Risk management means identifying the potential risks to the project, their effects and assessing the ways to mitigate them. Effective risk management ensures that high-quality software products are delivered on time and on budget.
Offering training and professional growth opportunities to the dedicated development team helps managers to build a skilled, motivated, and adaptable team.
One of the biggest challenges of offshoring is the cultural differences between the offshore team and the in-house team. Different cultures may have different work ethics, communication styles, and business practices that can cause misunderstandings and delays.
A well-known and reasonable outsourcing spot for hiring dedicated developers. The region has at least 4 million professionals, even more for all sorts of projects. In fact, an average salary of an Indian developer is a fraction compared to US-based developers.
The region again has hit the sweet cost-effective spot when compared to US developers as the region has talent, lower cultural and language barriers, and manageable time zones. However, Asian countries may stay ahead as top locations to hire dedicated offshore developers in terms of cost where they compensate with good quality work, consistency, and on-time delivery. Ukraine leads this region with more than 1600 development agencies.
REGIONS | RATES |
Eastern Europe | $25-50/ hour |
US | $85-200/ hour |
Latin America | $35-50 / hour |
Canada | $40-150/ hour |
Asia | $25-40/ hour |
Western Europe | $45-90/ hour |
Ukraine | $40-60/ hour |
Africa | $20-40/ hour |
Here are some of the best practices to follow while choosing a company for dedicated development team:
Provide detailed descriptions and specifications requirements on your list. This will help the service provider understand exactly what you are looking for.
Include any relevant information or constraints, such as budget, timeline, or technical requirements. This will help the vendors understand the context of your project and determine whether they can meet your needs within the constraints of your project.
You can try searching for the software development company’s name online to see if there is any information available on their website or on other business directories. This can provide you with a general overview of the company, including its mission and values, products and services, and team members.
Also, try reaching out to the company’s clients to ask for recommendations or feedback on their experience working with the company. This can provide valuable insights into the company’s strengths and weaknesses and can help you gauge the level of satisfaction among their clients.
Research the company’s past projects to see what they have worked on in the past. This can give you a sense of the types of projects the company has experience with and can help you evaluate their capabilities and expertise.
Although it’s the vendor’s job to provide you with the best team, it is always better to double-check.
Assessment tests can help you evaluate a candidate’s skills and abilities, and multiple interview stages can help you get to know the candidate better and determine if they are a good fit for the project.
Once you have decided on the company and team members, it’s the right time to finalize the contract.
After the contract is signed, it is better to onboard and integrate with the team immediately.
Outsourcing a dedicated development team from Code Ninja means partnering for reliable relationship building. Our clients are our reputation, that is we never leave them in testing waters, unlike other software service providing companies. Code Ninja has 7+ years of experience in software development and IT consulting. Keep in-house control and cut hiring and infrastructure costs by 50%.
Benefits of hiring dedicated development teams from Code Ninja:
Hiring a dedicated development team is the new black of outsourcing. Businesses around the world are reaping numerous benefits of this hiring model. If you are a business looking for specialized skills for your project that too in budget, hiring Dedicated Developers Team is the best option you will ever find in the market.
The work principle of a dedicated software development team is pretty focused and collaborative. It is a bunch of people allocated solely to a project where they work closely with the client to deliver high-quality software. Since the team is hired for projects that have changing requirements, the team works as per agile methodology along with others to adapt to the changing circumstances. The team is usually cross-functional usually consisting of the following members:
The team structure of a dedicated offshore development team may vary as per the scope and size of the project. Here is a typical structure of a Dedicated Development Team:
The manager oversees and manages all aspects of the project and ensures everything is on track.
These are the main drivers of the software development process. They write codes for the software and work in collaboration with other professionals to develop other aspects of the product as well.
They deal with the user experience part and are responsible for designing interfaces.
They are needed to draft the documentation of the software.
The QA specialist tests the software product and check if they are up to the quality standard
Agile software development is a process where software is delivered in small and manageable increments also known as sprints. This approach is solely focused on collaboration and responsiveness and emphasis on customer satisfaction throughout the development process. The software is delivered in incremental cycles so that it can be tested easily, and high-quality products are delivered.
Dedicated development teams are crucial for the agile development process because they have all the qualities required for delivering a high-quality product that satisfies the customer and works efficiently. These qualities are:
There are times when the CTOs or CEOs must focus on a core business requirement and are not able to multitask. Therefore, they prefer to hire dedicated development teams which are allocated to a project and have specialists working on it. So, they don’t have to worry about managing and supervising the team. Other reasons why they prefer to hire dedicated develops are:
Hiring a dedicated development team is a cost-effective option but still, the prices are subject to change. The cost of hiring depends on these factors:
Businesses should carefully consider the cost of hiring and should not always go for cheaper options. If you want to work with hi-end resources than obviously there is a fair price to pay.