Almost 25% of executives outsource software development. Hiring a remote dedicated team is a tangible strategy for maintaining competitiveness in today's rapidly-changing business conditions because it helps find skilled developers at reasonable rates.

In this article, experts from Belitsoft describe the key points to consider in how to hire remote developers.

Why Hire a Dedicated Remote Development Team?

A dedicated remote development team stands for a group of external developers who work closely with a client during the project. Staff augmentation or a managed team are alternative terms for extending the team through a remote dedicated development team approach. This team is customized to meet specific business goals, operates like an in-house team, and can cooperate with them. 

Such a remote team can include Business Analyst, Project Manager, Tech Lead, UX/UI Designer, Software Developers, Quality Assurance Testers, and DevOps Engineers.

Mid-sized businesses and enterprises often need an external workforce to create new products or address technical challenges that require specialized expertise.

It is also appropriate when you have established business objectives and tech experts, but require additional specialists such as web/mobile software developers and QA professionals to complete a sub-project within a defined timeframe.

Remote dedicated teams can be advantageous for both startups and established enterprises. Here are some scenarios to discover:

Rapid product development for a startup

Compared to building an in-house software development department, a remote dedicated team can be more efficient in terms of time and cost savings. Local talent can be costly, and the dedicated team model enables you to pay only for the resources you require.

Extra expertise for a company

A dedicated team can offer access to a worldwide pool of talents for emerging technologies like AI and ML, particularly when a company lacks needed technical expertise or is entering new industries. 

Large project for a tech company

If plans shift, and an additional workforce is required, a dedicated team can provide a flexible solution without the need for recruitment or infrastructure expenses. 

Benefits of Hiring a Remote Development Team

Engaging a remote team can provide a practical solution for businesses for several reasons. 

Cost-cutting and time saving

Companies often consider outsourcing as a cost-effective measure. For instance, US companies can potentially reduce expenses by up to 40% through the hiring of dedicated teams. Furthermore, the local talent pool may be limited, and high staff turnover can lead to instability. 

Significant efficiency and agility

Agile development methodologies foster improved collaboration among dedicated teams, and their ease of learning and adaptability to new projects make them highly efficient. This approach helps minimize the risk of errors. Additionally, the option for a 24/7 office with flexible time zones further enhances the potential benefits of agile development.

Concentration on the project

By having a remote development team dedicated to a single project, you can ensure a smooth start without any delays. In comparison with hiring freelancers that often handle multiple projects. That's why you can expect transparent supervision and adherence to schedules.

More time and resources for your core business competencies

By hiring a remote dedicated team, a company can free up time and effort to focus on its core specialization or enhance the business processes.

How to Hire a Remote Dedicated Development Team?

Protect your IP by signing an NDA

Protect intellectual property (IP) and confidential data by reviewing the IT contractor's IP policies and non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before the project starts. Additionally, you should sign a personal NDA with each team member.

Describe requirements

To help find a relevant workforce, provide your development partner with detailed project requirements. A dedicated team is typically built from the ground up to meet project needs and may include specialized remote developers, designers, or tech architects. Some clients choose to organize their remote development team according to different product development stages.

Interview candidates

Once the vendor has screened the candidates, you will receive a list of profiles to evaluate. You may participate in the interview process to estimate the company's approach.

Initiate remote development team launch

If the interviews are successful, proceed with launching the team and shift focus towards other goals.

Ensure a detailed contract agreement

Sign a contract that includes a clear description of development rates, discounts, payment and invoicing procedures, credit periods, and warranty terms.

Manage remote dedicated developers

Select a management style and receive updates as required. Streamline remote team management through an effective centralized model that leverages appropriate tools and technologies. This approach enables you to monitor progress without requiring frequent updates from remote developers.

Tips on How to Hire and Manage Remote Development Teams

Establish clear expectations and guidelines

To achieve reliable performance, guarantee that the development team has access to time-tracking tools, communication channels, proper documentation, clear goals, designated work hours, and expectations for updates and communication frequency. Additionally, encourage daily check-ins to foster a strong sense of teamwork.

Build reliable communication

Effective communication is crucial for remote development team success. Utilize internal messaging for direct team communication, email for communication between all sides, and project-specific tools such as Slack.

Which advantages should the contractor provide?

Domain expertise

Ensure that your provider has an extensive and successful history of working with a diverse range of companies and can prove it with detailed case studies. It means this provider has a deep understanding of their unique business requirements and can suggest to you the developers capable of delivering solutions for specific industries.

Formal technical education

A formal education, such as a degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering, shows the level and ambition of job applicants and is a crucial requirement for many clients.

Soft skills

Problem-solving mindset, troubleshooting skills, and the ability to adapt quickly are at the top of such a list.

Continuous learning

That is crucial for professional growth and development. The best contractors encourage their workforce to stay sharp by providing them with opportunities for ongoing education and training. Also, such companies utilize retention methods to ensure that employees' skills remain up-to-date in the fast-paced industry.

In conclusion

Outsourcing software development to a remote dedicated team is a practical solution for companies seeking cost-effective measures to maintain their competitiveness in today's rapidly-evolving business world. A dedicated team can offer extra expertise, rapid product development, and a flexible solution without the need for recruitment or infrastructure expenses. The advantages of hiring a remote development team include cost-cutting, time-saving, significant efficiency, agility, and concentration on the project. When using this model, it is essential to establish clear expectations, guidelines, and reliable communication, and ensure the contractor has the necessary domain expertise, formal technical education, soft skills, and continuous learning opportunities. With proper management, the remote team can work closely with the client during the project, operate in a manner similar to an in-house team, and cooperate with them.