Before delving into the chore of extended development teams’ advantages, it is relevant to mention what we are talking about when we differentiate extended development teams from other development teams.
The Evolution of Development Teams
There are many dimensions in which you can compare the traditional team structure with the extended team model. Let's address each of the most important ones for a successful outcome.
Regarding team composition, traditional team structures are characterized by having In-house employees, which means that all team members are full-time employees of the organization.
Moreover, teams are typically more homogenous in terms of location and culture, and they have a fixed size, which also means that they change slowly due to hiring processes.
On the other hand, extended team models consist of a combination of in-house employees supplemented by external developers. This implies that teams are often more diverse due to the inclusion of members from different regions and backgrounds.
This way, extended teams can also be scaled up or down more rapidly in response to project demands which means that this model is much more flexible than the traditional one.
Due to hiring processes, changes in team composition can be slower in traditional structures, and, as employees are hired for the long term, this could limit progress when projects require changes.
However, in extended team models, teams can be quickly adjusted in size and skills based on project needs, as short-term contracts allow project-based hiring without long-term commitments.
Regarding the matter of costs, while traditional teams have higher fixed costs due to the demand for salaries, benefits, or office space, extended team structures are more efficient and have potentially lower costs due to hiring in regions with lower labor rates.
As external developers can be hired on a project basis in extended development models, costs are more variable. However, in traditional structures, there are many costs contemplated regarding hiring investment, such as time and money spent on recruitment, training, and onboarding.
Last but not least, another relevant difference can be notable in talent access. Traditional team structures tend to lack specialized skills as access to talent is limited to the local or regional job market. Instead, extended team models are integrated with specialized skills that may not be available locally due to the accessibility to a broader range of skills and expertise from around the world.
After looking at these main aspects, we can dig into the benefits and challenges that extended development teams carry.
Benefits of Opting for an Extended Development Team
1. Enhanced Collaboration and Communication
Extended development teams enhance collaboration and communication, given that they offer diverse perspectives by bringing together team members from different regions and backgrounds, which encourages the sharing of varied ideas and solutions.
Moreover, tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Jira, and Trello facilitate seamless communication and collaboration, regardless of geographic location. These tools enable real-time and asynchronous interactions, which also implies a 24/7 Development Cycle.
The latter implies that teams spread across different time zones can work around the clock, enabling continuous development and faster project turnaround. This model allows for quicker feedback loops and faster resolution of issues.
2. Access to Diverse Skill Sets
Access to diverse skill sets is also enhanced by implementing extended development teams primarily due to their ability to source talent globally. Having the possibility to recruit developers from around the world allows companies to access a broader range of skills and expertise that may not be available locally or within the immediate region.
Additionally, extended teams often operate on a project-based or short-term basis, allowing companies to quickly onboard specialists for specific tasks or phases of a project. This flexibility enables teams to adapt swiftly to changing project needs without the long-term commitment of hiring full-time employees.
What is more, diverse skill sets bring diverse perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. Developers from different backgrounds and regions may bring innovative solutions and fresh ideas that enrich the development process and improve outcomes.
3. Scalability and Flexibility
Extended teams allow organizations to quickly scale their development capacity up or down in response to project demands. This scalability is facilitated by the ability to easily onboard additional developers or reduce team size as needed without the constraints of traditional hiring processes.
In dynamic business environments, the ability to scale resources quickly and adapt to market changes is crucial. Extended teams enable organizations to respond swiftly to new opportunities or challenges, maintaining competitiveness in the marketplace.
As it has been mentioned before, organizations can access specialized skills and expertise on a short-term or project-specific basis through extended teams. This flexibility allows companies to bring in niche capabilities as required without committing to long-term employment or training investments.
4. Cost Optimization and Reduced Overhead Expenses
Operating on a more flexible and variable cost model compared to traditional in-house teams allows companies to scale resources up or down based on project needs, avoiding the fixed costs associated with maintaining a full-time staff during periods of lower demand.
With extended teams, there is often no need to invest in additional office space, equipment, or infrastructure to accommodate new hires. Developers can work remotely, leveraging their resources and minimizing the company's overhead expenses.
In addition, hiring and onboarding new employees can be costly and time-consuming. Extended teams allow companies to access skilled developers without the overhead costs associated with recruitment, training, and employee benefits.
Challenges Faced by Extended Development Teams
1. Remote Team Management
Coordinating tasks and ensuring seamless collaboration across a distributed team can be complex. Monitoring the productivity and performance of remote team members can be challenging as managers need to rely on tools and metrics to assess performance, which can sometimes lead to a lack of visibility and control.
Establishing trust and fostering a collaborative team culture in a remote environment requires deliberate effort. Managers need to create opportunities for team bonding, recognize achievements, and maintain regular, open communication.
2. Cultural and Time Zone Differences
One of the main challenges relies on communication barriers. Differences in time zones, language, and cultural backgrounds can hinder effective communication. This is deeply related to the absence of in-person interactions that can lead to feelings of isolation among team members, making it harder to build strong relationships and a sense of team unity.
Coordinating meetings and ensuring overlapping work hours can be difficult when team members are spread across different time zones. This can lead to delays in decision-making and reduced opportunities for real-time collaboration.
3. Ensuring Data Security
With team members working from various locations, often using different networks and devices, there is an increased risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
Moreover, securely transferring and storing sensitive data across different locations and devices is challenging. Data may be more vulnerable to interception or theft during transmission or when stored on less secure local devices.
In addition, different regions may have varying data protection regulations. Ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations can be challenging, especially for teams operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Regarding incidents, detecting and responding to them promptly is more difficult in a distributed environment. The risk of insider threats can be higher in extended teams, as managing and monitoring remote employees’ activities is more complex.
4. Maintaining Team Cohesion
Ensuring that all team members have access to the necessary technology and tools can be difficult, especially in regions with varying levels of infrastructure. Additionally,
integrating new team members and providing ongoing training remotely can be less effective compared to in-person methods. It requires well-structured processes and additional resources to ensure that new hires are properly onboarded and equipped to contribute effectively.
Even though all the mentioned above are serious issues to attend to, you can find many ways to sort them out. Keep reading to have a full insight into some case studies to delve into extended development teams untroubled.
Success Stories: Companies Leveraging Extended Development Teams
1. Case Study: LINQ Company's Journey with an Extended Team
LINQ is a company dedicated to empowering the everyday heroes who strengthen K-12 districts and schools. By integrating best-in-class technology with industry-leading expertise, LINQ assists school administrators in addressing contemporary challenges while laying the groundwork for a better future.
Although LINQ previously attempted to automate its processes. However, they found difficulties due to the lack of proper integration among various technologies, including desktop, web, and mobile platforms.
LINQ contacted Jalasoft to receive assistance and find a better path in this process that could enhance their work in several ways. In response to the challenges presented, we assumed control. Our team supplied LINQ's QA department with high-quality resources to efficiently create an automation framework, develop robust test cases, and enhance their testing capabilities.
Our experts integrated seamlessly with the LINQ QA and development teams, improving communication, understanding business needs and deliverables, and creating the optimal environment for both manual and automated testing. Additionally, we focused on daily reporting of the automation tools' performance.
Partnering with Jalasoft is a safe and trustworthy way to move from traditional development teams to extended development teams.
2. Strategies for Efficiently Managing and Motivating Remote Teams
Although there are several approaches to managing remote teams efficiently, here you will find some key aspects that will de-stress your transition process from traditional approaches.
First and foremost, communication is key. Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful remote project management. Establish clear communication channels, such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management tools, to ensure everyone stays aligned. Regularly scheduled meetings and status updates foster transparency and alignment among team members.
These meetings are crucial to define clear project objectives, milestones, and deliverables from the outset to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Communicate expectations regarding timelines, quality standards, and project scope clearly to avoid misunderstandings or delays.
Workflow may be a trendy concept, but it has its reason. Defining a structured workflow by outlining the steps involved in project execution, including task prioritization, issue resolution, and feedback loops. To achieve this, you can implement agile methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban, to facilitate iterative development and continuous improvement. Embracing cultural sensibility is also hey as nearshoring often involves collaborating with teams from diverse cultural backgrounds, requiring sensitivity and understanding. Recognize and respect cultural differences in communication styles, work practices, and decision-making processes.
In addition to this, you can encourage a sense of accountability and ownership among remote team members by empowering them to take responsibility for their tasks and deliverables. Set clear performance metrics and provide regular feedback to help team members understand their progress and areas for improvement. Recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements to motivate and inspire remote team members.
Regarding some of the concerns, you can create a safe, changing environment by taking into account the aspects mentioned below.
We are aware of how important ensuring consistent quality in deliverables is for businesses considering nearshoring. Apprehensions about potential declines in work standards can be a huge barrier. This is one of the main reasons why implementing rigorous quality assurance measures is crucial. As mentioned before, having regular audits, performance evaluations, and transparent communication channels is essential to align both parties on quality standards effectively.
Moreover, protecting sensitive data is a critical concern as clients may question the ability of nearshore partners to uphold stringent data security protocols. Nearshore partners must invest in robust data security systems and adhere strictly to international standards. Again, clear communication of security measures and compliance with data protection regulations are key steps to alleviate client concerns.
Last but not least, concerns about operational challenges such as different time zones, travel costs, and communication barriers can deter businesses from exploring nearshoring opportunities. Overcoming these logistical challenges requires a commitment to transparent and efficient communication strategies. Regular virtual meetings, the use of project management tools, and streamlined reporting mechanisms are essential to maintaining a smooth workflow despite geographical distances.
To sum up, communication is the most important aspect as we have seen repeatedly. There is no possibility of solving any upcoming issues without finding communication channels to find pleasant results.
Optimizing Project Outcomes with an Extended Team
After having a thorough look at every aspect you should attend to when moving onto the remote teams’ modality, we can summarize some of the most important aspects (apart from communication) to optimize your projects.
1. Effective Onboarding and Team Integration
Proper onboarding ensures new team members understand the project goals, objectives, and expectations from the outset.
This is crucial because integrated team members are more likely to collaborate effectively with their peers. They understand each other's roles and responsibilities, communicate more efficiently, and leverage their strengths to solve problems and innovate.
From the beginning, properly onboarded team members feel valued and integrated into the project. This sense of belonging increases job satisfaction, reduces turnover rates, and enhances overall team morale and motivation.
Not only is proper onboarding good for a workflow environment but also well-integrated teams are better equipped to identify and mitigate risks early in the project lifecycle. They can proactively address issues, adapt to changes, and maintain project stability, ultimately reducing the likelihood of costly delays or failures.
2. Utilizing Project Management Tools for Seamless Collaboration
Project management tools provide centralized communication channels where team members can easily exchange messages, share updates, and discuss tasks. This ensures that everyone stays informed and aligned, reducing miscommunications and enhancing collaboration.
As remote teams usually don’t share the same time frame, features like real-time editing, file sharing, and collaborative workspaces enable team members to work together on documents, code, and other project artifacts simultaneously.
Moreover, by implementing standardized workflows and processes within the project management tool, teams can streamline operations and ensure consistency across different phases of the project. This reduces errors, improves efficiency, and facilitates smoother project execution.
3. Setting Clear Objectives and Milestones
Clear objectives ensure that all team members understand the project's overarching goals and their individual roles in achieving them. This helps when prioritizing tasks and activities based on their importance and relevance to project goals.
Moreover, clear milestones provide checkpoints throughout the project timeline, allowing teams to plan and coordinate activities effectively. They enable proactive identification of dependencies, risks, and potential bottlenecks, facilitating smoother project execution.
Objectives and milestones serve as measurable benchmarks for tracking progress and performance. They enable project managers to monitor achievements against predefined criteria, assess project health, and make informed decisions to keep the project on track.
Clearly defined objectives create accountability among team members, encouraging them to take ownership of their tasks and deliverables. This fosters a culture of responsibility and commitment to meeting project goals, reducing the likelihood of delays or missed deadlines.
Finally, having clear objectives and milestones facilitates alignment with stakeholders by providing transparency into project progress and deliverables. This enhances stakeholder satisfaction and confidence in the team's ability to deliver desired outcomes.
Conclusion
There is a clear way to unlock the potential of extended development teams for your business success, and at Jalasoft, we have the right approach for you. For years and years, we have dedicated our time and resources to build the best way with remote teams. This has given us the expertise to not only progress in our area but also to support others in this intricate yet possible transition.
Through Team Augmentation, we build strategic partnerships by providing the talent your company needs. We can bridge the gaps in your development teams, giving you the support your company deserves.
Our Dedicated Teams are here to help you enhance your software capabilities. We can assess your operations and infrastructure needs and assemble a complete team created and designed specifically to meet your project's requirements.
However, if you are not sure how you should be addressing your remote expansion, don’t hesitate to contact our experts. Whether it is for guidance or for a partnering proposition, we are eager to hear from you and to help you.
