(+ 7 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid)
When it comes to building a remote software development team, there are several important factors to consider. In this post, we will explore seven exclusive tips for building a great remote software development team, as well as seven deadly mistakes to avoid. By following these tips and avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure that your remote team is successful and productive.
Tip #1: Work with Proven Partners
One of the key things to consider when building a remote software development team is to work with proven partners. This means partnering with companies that have a track record of success in the field of software development. By working with proven partners, you can be confident that you are working with experienced and capable developers who can deliver high-quality work on time and within budget.
Mistake #1 to Avoid: Ask for Their Portfolio/Case Studies
One mistake to avoid when working with proven partners is to simply ask for their portfolio or case studies without doing any further research. While a portfolio or case studies can provide valuable insights into a company’s capabilities, it is also important to do your own research and due diligence. This could involve asking for references from other clients, conducting interviews with the company’s developers, or even requesting a sample of their work. By taking the time to thoroughly research potential partners, you can be sure that you are making an informed decision and choosing the best team for your project.
Tip #2: Make Developers First
Another important tip for building a great remote software development team is to make developers the first priority. This means putting the needs and concerns of your developers first, and ensuring that they have everything they need to do their jobs effectively. This could involve providing them with the latest tools and technologies, offering regular training and support, and creating a collaborative and supportive work environment. By making your developers the first priority, you can foster a sense of ownership and accountability among your team, which can lead to higher levels of productivity and success.
Mistake #2 to Avoid: Ask to Talk to Developers as Early as Possible
One mistake to avoid when making developers the first priority is to wait too long to talk to them. It is important to involve your developers in the planning and decision-making process as early as possible, so that they can provide valuable input and insights. This could involve asking for their feedback on project scope and timelines, or soliciting their ideas for new features and functionality. By involving your developers early on in the process, you can ensure that their needs and concerns are taken into account, and that the final product is of the highest quality.
Tip #3: Communication Matters
Effective communication is essential for any remote software development team to be successful. This means ensuring that team members can easily and effectively communicate with one another, regardless of their location. This could involve using collaboration tools such as Slack or Trello, or setting up regular meetings and check-ins. By making communication a priority, you can ensure that your team is always on the same page and working towards common goals.
Mistake #3 to Avoid: Check Dev Team Communication Skills Before Proceeding
One mistake to avoid when it comes to communication is to assume that all team members have strong communication skills. It is important to evaluate the communication skills of your developers before proceeding with a project, and to provide them with any training or support that may be needed. This could involve conducting interviews or assessments to determine their level of proficiency, or offering training on specific communication tools and techniques. By taking the time to assess and improve the communication skills of your team, you can ensure that your project is successful and that all team members are able to collaborate effectively.
Tip #4: Quality Matters
When building a software development team quality matters because having high-quality team members is essential for creating a successful and effective software development process. This is because high-quality team members are typically more skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced, which enables them to write better code, solve complex problems more efficiently, and work more effectively as part of a team.
One of the key ways to ensure that you have high-quality team members is to do a thorough technical interview and code review for each developer. This will help you to identify their strengths and weaknesses, as well as ensure that they have the necessary skills and experience to contribute to your team. By doing a technical interview and code review, you can also get a better understanding of each developer’s coding style, problem-solving abilities, and ability to work in a team environment.
Mistake #4 to avoid when building a software development team is not doing a thorough technical interview and code review of each developer.
This can lead to hiring developers who are not qualified or experienced enough to contribute to your team, which can have a negative impact on the overall quality of your software development process. It can also lead to developers who are not a good fit for your team, which can lead to conflicts and other problems within the team. By avoiding this mistake, you can ensure that your software development team is composed of high-quality team members who are capable of working together effectively and delivering high-quality software.
Tip #5: Performance is Important
In addition to quality, another important factor to consider when building a remote software development team is performance. This means ensuring that your team is consistently delivering high-quality work on time and within budget. One way to ensure this is to ask developers for daily code commits, which can provide visibility into their work and allow you to identify any potential issues or challenges. By regularly monitoring the performance of your team, you can ensure that your project stays on track and that your developers are meeting their goals.
Mistake #5: Ask Developer for Daily Code Commits to Ensure Performance and Work Visibility
One mistake to avoid when it comes to performance is to assume that everything is going well without checking in with your team on a regular basis. It is important to regularly monitor the performance of your developers, and to provide them with feedback and support as needed. This could involve asking for daily code commits, conducting regular performance evaluations, or providing training and support to help developers improve their skills and achieve their goals. By regularly monitoring the performance of your team, you can identify any potential issues and take steps to address them before they become major problems.
Tip #6: Working Hours Matter
Another important factor to consider when building a remote software development team is the working hours of your developers. This is especially important if you are working with a team located in a different time zone, as differences in working hours can impact the flow of work and cause delays or misunderstandings. To avoid these issues, it is important to ensure that your team members are able to work within your time zone, or to make arrangements for overlap in working hours if necessary.
Mistake #6: Make Sure Developer Can Work in Your Time Zone to Avoid Work Flow Interruption
One mistake to avoid when it comes to working hours is to assume that all team members will be able to work within your time zone without checking in advance. This can lead to misunderstandings and delays, as well as frustrated team members who are unable to complete their work as expected. To avoid these issues, it is important to clearly communicate your expectations for working hours, and to make sure that all team members are able to work within your time zone or to arrange for overlap in working hours if necessary. By taking the time to coordinate working hours upfront, you can avoid disruptions and ensure that your team is able to work together effectively.
Tip #7: Location Means a Lot
When building a remote software development team, it is important to consider the location of your developers. This is because location can have a significant impact on the success of your project. For example, if your developers are located in close proximity to your business, they may be able to visit your office for workshops or all-hands meetings, which can improve communication and collaboration. Alternatively, if your developers are located in different parts of the world, it may be more challenging to coordinate meetings and other activities, which can impact the flow of work and the overall success of your project.
Mistake #7: Check Whether Developers Are Close So That They Can Visit You on a Workshop or All Hands Meetings
One mistake to avoid when it comes to location is to assume that all team members will be able to visit your office for workshops or all-hands meetings without checking in advance. This can lead to misunderstandings and disappointment, as well as challenges in coordinating meetings and other activities. To avoid these issues, it is important to clearly communicate your expectations for location, and to make sure that all team members are able to visit your office if necessary. By taking the time to coordinate location upfront, you can ensure that your team is able to work together effectively and achieve your project goals.
Conclusion
Building a great remote software development team requires careful planning and attention to detail. By following the tips outlined above and avoiding the common mistakes discussed, you can ensure that your team is successful and productive. Some key things to consider include working with proven partners, making developers the first priority, prioritizing communication and collaboration, focusing on quality and performance, coordinating working hours and location, and regularly monitoring and assessing team performance. By taking these factors into account, you can build a remote team that is capable of delivering high-quality work on time and within budget.