The dedicated development team (DDT) model is an innovative solution tailored to meet the diverse needs of software development and it offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional in-house development.
The concept of a DDT is simple yet powerful: it enables you to expand your team by adding dedicated software developers located in regions with competitive development rates, such as Eastern Europe, Asia, or Latin America. They work exclusively on your project, providing their full-time commitment, while you have direct access to each member, enabling seamless collaboration. Meanwhile, the dedicated team's vendor takes care of recruitment, retention, office space, IT infrastructure, HR support, and enticing employee perks.
With the dedicated development team model, you can tap into a diverse talent pool, optimize resources, and enhance productivity.
To build a truly effective dedicated development team model, consider some tips from our team. In this post, we’ll share valuable tips for building successful DDT cooperation and working seamlessly within this model. Let's dive into the key strategies that will help you navigate this journey and achieve remarkable results.
Your journey to building a dedicated development team - a step-by-step guide
When it comes to hiring dedicated software developers, the key to project success lies in sourcing skilled professionals who can bring valuable expertise to the table. This joint endeavor involves two primary entities: the Customer and the Provider. Each party carries distinct responsibilities to ensure a smooth and effective collaboration:
The Provider takes on crucial tasks such as:
- Talent acquisition
- IT infrastructure management
- Providing office space
- Retention of a software engineering team
- Handling of administration and payroll
- Facilitation of team building
- Employee benefits
On the flip side, the Customer assumes a range of responsibilities, including:
- Defining a clear project scope
- Evaluation of the team's effectiveness
- Facilitation of open and efficient communication
- Cultivation of positive company culture
The next stage is to delve into the actionable steps and essential factors that will help you effectively engage a dedicated development team in the project.
When do we recommend hiring a dedicated team
The dedicated team model fits well in various project scenarios as it offers flexibility and scalability. However, there are cases when it will not be the best option. Here are some instances where we recommend considering the hiring of a dedicated team:
- Complex and extensive projects: When your project has a wide scope or is expected to be long-term, a dedicated team can provide the necessary expertise and resources to handle the complexity.
- Flexibility in requirements and changes: If your project requires frequent changes in requirements, objectives, scope, or the need for diverse skill sets, one of the key benefits of hiring a dedicated development team is their ability to readily adapt to these changes and ensure steady progress.
- Tight deadlines and resource constraints: When you have strict deadlines and limited resources to quickly assemble a qualified team, a DDT can accelerate development and help you meet project requirements.
- Lack of in-house expertise: If your in-house team lacks specific project expertise or experience, particularly in specialized tech projects, a dedicated team engagement model can bring in the required skills and knowledge to ensure successful execution.
- Minimum viable product (MVP) development: In the case of developing an MVP to attract early adopters, secure investor interest, or enter new markets, a dedicated team can help you build and launch your product faster thanks to an additional workforce.
- Cost considerations: A dedicated team can be a cost-effective alternative compared to recruiting and maintaining an entire in-house team, especially when you consider factors like salaries, benefits of a dedicated development team, and infrastructure costs.
- Existing team capacity: When your in-house team is already occupied with other development projects and can’t take on an additional workload, the benefits of having a part-time dedicated project team are the resource gap and ensuring timely project completion.
- Talent scarcity in the local market: If you're facing challenges in finding skilled tech professionals locally, a dedicated team from regions with a larger pool of available talents, such as remote locations or emerging tech hubs, can provide access to a wider talent pool.
In order to determine whether the dedicated team model works best or not, consider the specific requirements, scope, budget, and duration of your project.
The roadmap to building a successful dedicated development team
Building a successful dedicated development team requires careful planning and execution. Here's a roadmap to guide you along the way:
Step 1: Defining project goals and business requirements
To ensure a seamless partnership with a dedicated development team, it’s crucial to outline your project goals and business requirements. This initial step lays the foundation for a clear vision and sets the course for achieving success.
By clearly defining your project goals, you establish the desired outcomes and milestones you aim to accomplish. This provides a compass to guide the development process and ensures that all efforts are aligned toward the same objectives. Whether it's enhancing your existing software, developing a new product, or expanding your digital presence, articulating your goals brings clarity and focus to the journey ahead.
In parallel, understanding your business requirements is equally essential. These requirements encompass the specific functionalities, features, and technical specifications that your software solution must meet to satisfy your business objectives. By delving into the intricacies of your business processes, target audience, and industry dynamics, you gain insights that shape the development approach and enable the dedicated team to d