If you are reading this, it means that you are looking for a software development team to build your project. It also means you are looking to outsource a software solution to another country but are still determining what to expect, who should be on the team, or what role each team member plays.
As an outsourcing software development company, TNation built great teams, and we want to share some of our experiences with you. TNation has been in the software development business for ten years, and we have built hundreds of software applications for our clients. We have seen many different companies and teams worldwide, and a few things are essential when building a great team.
What Makes a Good Software?
You’ll get ten different answers if you ask ten other people how good their team was or whether a team is good. Definitions of what makes a software development team good vary wildly. However, it seems that some universal characteristics can be found in good teams and some universal pitfalls to avoid.
To define these, we must consider what makes a software system suitable. To do this, we look at what powerful development teams do and don’t do. We’ve worked on both sides: as a consultant providing advice to teams on client setup and workflow and managing internal development teams ourselves.
What makes good software? It’s a question that has been at the heart of many debates for years, and it’s one that we’ve been trying to answer for just as long. We’ve made our fair share of software, but we’ve also learned some important lessons. And now we’re ready to share them with you!
So here’s what we think makes good software:
- Good software is easy to use. It should have an intuitive interface and be easy to understand by an end user. If you struggle with a piece of software because it doesn’t make sense or because there are too many steps involved, there’s probably something wrong with the software itself!
- Good software is well-designed and intuitively laid out so that you can access all its features without going through any unnecessary steps. If something seems weirdly complicated, then there’s a good chance it was the wrong feature users don’t need.
- Good software is also well-documented. Documentation is crucial for developers. Whatever happens with software, there should be documentation explaining its development process.
- You can have the best software that satisfies users’ needs, but it needs to be scalable. Scalability is the ability to deal with large numbers of users or users with diverse needs. It’s one of those critical features that make a software product successful and is also very important for business growth.
- The excellent software is also well-supported, either through maintenance or the ability to contact developers. However, software needs attention and will likely impact end users after some time.
What Makes a Good Development Team?
We asked ourselves this question when we first started developing our product. We want to ensure that our team is as strong as it can be—and that means ensuring everyone on the team has the skills they need to do their jobs well.
Here are some of the things we look for in a good development team:
- A mix of specialists. The team structure is a whole subject on its own, but every project needs a team of specialists experienced in a specific part of development. For example, that includes technical teams such as back-end, front-end developers, QA specialists, and software engineers.
- A great team leader. The software relies on communication between the team members and the client. An excellent team lead can build a great team, solve problems, build trust, and unite the team into one cohesive whole.
- Someone who knows how to solve problems. Building a team with a person who comes up with solutions is an excellent asset to any development team. The problem solver is the person who can help move things forward, even when things get stuck.
- Previous work on similar projects can help speed up things. The tasks will run smoother if team members are already acquainted with the industry and its possibilities. The developer can predict the end users’ requirements and needs and build software accordingly.
- People passionate about coding are more likely to deliver quality products. If their passion matches their experience, they greatly asset any team.
A good development team comprises people who are passionate about what they do, eager to learn and grow and share a vision for the product.
The most successful teams we’ve worked with have always focused on building relationships with each other first and foremost, even before they start working on the product or service they’re building together. They all understand that nobody in the team is a separate unit, which means that everyone needs to bring their unique skill set, perspective, and trust.
Team Structures: Who Should be in a Development Team?
The best teams in the world are made up of people with very different skills and abilities but can work together to achieve something great. In today’s fast-paced world, there’s no time to waste on red tape and bureaucracy.
The best software developers work as part of a team, but that doesn’t mean they need to be part of the same company or even on the same continent! There are many ways to structure your team that can help you meet your goals faster than ever before.
Software development is collaborative and complex, so having the right team is essential for success.
Let’s talk about the different roles you can have on your software development team, and then we’ll go over some examples of how they fit together.
The most common structure for a software development team includes the following:
- Developers are the ones who build your software. They’re responsible for writing code and making sure that it works properly.
- Testers ensure the software is well-tested before it’s released to clients. This includes testing all the different scenarios that could happen in real life.
- Product owners are responsible for ensuring that the software is being built in a way that meets clients’ needs. They often work with customers to understand what they want and then with developers and testers to ensure it’s built correctly.
- Quality assurance engineers (QA) ensure the software is being built correctly. They often work with testers and developers to ensure the software meets all its quality criteria.
- Project managers are responsible for ensuring that your software project stays on track. This includes ensuring developers and testers can work effectively, communicating with clients about what they want from the project, and ensuring that all deadlines are met.
- Scrum masters (if you use scrum) are responsible for ensuring that your project stays on track. This includes ensuring developers and testers can work effectively, communicating with clients about what they want from the project, and ensuring that all deadlines are met.
- Business analysts help you determine what features should be included in your software product. They’re also responsible for gathering client requirements and ensuring that those requirements are implemented correctly.
How do you Measure the Success of a Software Development Team?
Like any other part of your business, it’s essential to measure the success of your development team. This will allow you to determine what’s working and what isn’t so that you can make improvements as necessary. Several metrics can be used to measure your software development team’s success. Here are some examples:
- Code churn
- Active users
- Conversions
- Customer satisfaction
Conclusion
If you are an entrepreneur, agency owner, or a business group managing department, what you are looking for is a professional company that not only provides you with core necessities but also takes care of your project, from designing and coding to testing, maintaining, and supporting.
You need a company with experienced developers, designers, and testers who can help you with all kinds of projects. It is the best way to get extensive results with minimum time and cost. Just remember to have realistic expectations and set the projects up for success.
TNation is an outsourcing software development company that can help you build your dedicated team for the next project.
