Hiring a software developer is expensive, and even more so in the metropolitan areas where you need to take care of other expenses as well, including rent, equipment, perks, pension, etc. This is the reason why several business owners these days are looking to put together an offshore software development team to grow their software business.
An offshore software development team allows you to explore a broader range of talent, without having to experience hurdles such as the intense competition or the exorbitantly high rates prevalent in the United States, the United Kingdom, and various other countries. However, before you decide to have an offshore software development team, traverse through all its features so that you’re aware of the intricacies of the concept.
Things to Remember While Hiring an Offshore Software Development Team
Hiring anyone comes with an almost similar pattern, starting from reviewing portfolios and conducting interviews, analysing their personality and finally sealing the deal. However, there is a slight difference between hiring someone in-house and hiring an individual offshore. The main difference is that you will be encountering a different culture. Therefore, be prepared to work with professionals from eclectic cultural backgrounds.
When collaborating with an offshore development team, here are a few things to remember while hiring and managing the team members:
- Inquire About Different Locations
In addition to looking at factors such as cost reduction, flexibility, and availability, the main feature to look for while hiring an offshore software development team is quality. Start by conducting a thorough investigation. Explore the list of the best outsourcing destinations and research the ones that seem the most promising.
Ask yourself questions such as what is the work ethic like in these countries, whether they have technical universities, the success rate of startups in these places, and so on. You can also look through your professional network to have a one-on-one discussion with someone who belongs to one of the countries you’re looking into. Although the time difference plays an important role, keep your priorities straight and always value quality over other characteristics.
- Partnering Up with the Perfect Provider
Instead of traditional outsourcing that barely allows you to interact with your offshore team, go for an extended team model. This works in a very simple way. You find a vendor/provider who analyses your business needs and then helps you in structuring your offshore software development team in a manner that best suits your product requirements. Not only do you get to pick your team members, but you also get to manage them and make them an extension of your in-house team.
Find out certain things about the vendor before you partner up with them. For example, whether they have a quality management system software, whether they’re certified, their biggest successes and failures over the past year, etc. Read up the feedback they’ve received, talk to their employees, and then decide on the provider you wish to go with.
- Having a Sharp Judgment
A team of talented and motivated developers can change the game of software development for you. Therefore, make sure you’re putting your sharp judgment to use while picking your team members. Give your provider a very precise brief of the kind of people you’re looking for. That way, it will save you both a lot of time and energy.
See to it that you’re involved in the interviewing process. In addition to technical abilities, keep an eye out for soft skills as well, because they will be just as helpful when managing an offshore development team.
- Meet the Team in Person
Meeting the team members before hiring them is an extremely wise decision. Since you won’t get to interact much with them in person, it’s best to do so before bringing them on. Ask them open-ended questions, and observe their communication style and body language. Find out a little more about them from the other employees, and spend some time with them to know them personally so that you’re sure that you’re hiring the right person.
- Share the Vision of Your Product
Let your offshore team members know about the vision you have for your product. Provide them with the complete information so that they have a clear picture, and can work accordingly towards implementing your vision. Once they feel that they have substantial job security through your explanation of the ongoing and future products, they will feel much more at ease.
- Keep the Lines of Communication Open
When you’re working with people you don’t see face-to-face every day, miscommunication can often occur. In order to avoid this, communicate with your offshore team on a daily basis. Don’t wait till the weekly meetings. Instead, see to it that every single point is communicated to them clearly so that there’s no room for misunderstandings.
- Make Use of Technology
With apps such as Skype, Slack, etc., being in touch with your employees is now easier than ever. If there’s something your team is confused about, send pictures and attachments across to explain it to them better. If messages and audio calls aren’t working well on a given day, schedule a video call to have a proper conversation. Employ technology to its fullest to communicate with your offshore team.
- Have the Next Task Ready
Working somewhere in-person entails being able to clear your doubts immediately. Offshore employees, however, don’t have that luxury. Therefore, always keep a second task ready for them to work on in case they stuck on the first one. That way, they will be able to utilise their time in a better manner till their doubts are clarified.
Additionally, always provide them with substantial tasks. Just because they’re working offshore, doesn’t mean their potential can’t be explored. Make sure they know that you value their work.
- Include Them in Your Decision-Making Process
Making your offshore software development team feel left out is a mistake many businesses commit. Don’t be the one to do that. Keep them in the loop at all times. Make sure they’re updated with all the happenings, include them in meetings through conference calls, ask for their opinions for crucial decisions, and so on. They’re no different from your in-house team, and make sure they’re aware of that.
- Let the Work Schedules Overlap
Working with offshore teams comes with the package of dealing with different time zones. Overlap your work schedules so that not only do the different teams get to interact, but so that everyone gets ample time to relax and let loose once in a while. Mixing the schedules once in a while helps in improving the bonding, too.
Summing Up
Having an offshore software development team is beneficial for many reasons. Businesses, both established and startups, get to save on time and money. Also, you get the chance to interact globally, which is something you otherwise wouldn’t have access to. Therefore, broaden your horizons and let your empire grow and expand with talent from every corner of the world by assembling an offshore software development team.
