The offshore development team is no strange term in the IT industry nowadays, especially when the world is entering the era of globalization and digital transformation. Many businesses have begun to realize the importance of outsourcing their software development projects to other countries in order to save costs and time-to-market. However, building a team of offshore developers from scratch is not an easy endeavor at all. Thus, there is a multitude of factors to consider. And if you’re like most business owners, you may not have a lot of experience in this area, and this article is just for you because we’ll provide some practical tips to help you find and hire the best offshore development team for your business.
What is an offshore development team?
An offshore development team or an offshore development center (ODC) is a group of software developers who work remotely from their home country. The term “offshore” refers to the location of the team, which is usually in a different country than the client. Offshore development teams are becoming increasingly popular as businesses look for ways to reduce costs and speed up product development timelines. By collaborating with an offshore team, businesses can get access to high-quality talent at a fraction of the cost of hiring in-house developers.
When to consider an offshore development team
Having an offshore development team to work on your project poses advantages and disadvantages. However, the pros outweigh the cons, so a lot of IT businesses still decide to set up an ODC. There are a few key indicators that it may be time to consider working with an offshore development team:
- You’re struggling to find quality talent locally: If you’re having trouble finding qualified developers in your area – developer shortage, it may be time to look offshore. With an offshore team, you can tap into a global talent pool and find the right people for the job.
- You need to speed up product development: Offshore teams can help you get your product to market faster. By hiring a dedicated team working on your project, you can compress your timeline and get your product out the door sooner.
- You’re looking for cost savings: One of the main benefits of working with an offshore team is that it can save you money. When working with an offshore team, you only pay for the hours worked, so you don’t have to worry about things like benefits and overhead costs.
Ten tips for building an offshore development team of your own
There are certainly a few crucial things to remember when hiring an offshore development team. Here are ten practical tips to help you succeed:
Define your project scope and objectives clearly
Before you start looking for an offshore team, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your project requirements. Take some time to document the scope of work, timeline, budget, and any other relevant details. This will help you brief potential candidates on what you’re looking for and make it easier to compare different teams.
Do your research on potential vendors
There are a lot of offshore development companies to choose from, so it’s important to do your research before deciding on one. Don’t forget to read online reviews, check out their portfolio of work, and go through their case studies or testimonials from past clients. You should also reach out to their sales team to get more information about their services.
Consider time zone differences
One of the challenges of working with an offshore team is managing the time zone difference. It’s pivotal to consider how this will impact communication and project deadlines. If possible, try to find a team in a similar time zone so that you can overlap working hours and avoid delays in communication.
Make sure you have a clear communication plan in place
It’s important to set up a clear communication plan before starting work with an offshore team. This should include regular check-ins, video calls, and email or chat communications. By setting up a clear plan, you can avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Be clear about your expectations
It’s important to manage the expectations of your team, clients, and stakeholders. This includes setting realistic deadlines, providing clear instructions, the scope of work, timeline, budget, and any other relevant details. Ensure that you are crystal clear about your expectations for the project from the start. This includes. By clarifying your expectations, you can avoid surprises or disagreements down the road and ensure that everyone is happy with the final product.
Build a good relationship with your team
Since you will be working with your offshore team on a regular basis, it’s important to build a good relationship with them. Try to get to know them on a personal level and take an interest in their culture and country. This will be helpful in making the working together experience more enjoyable and productive.
Trust your team
One of the challenges of working with an offshore team is learning to trust them. It can be difficult to let go of control when you’re not in the same location as your team. However, it’s important to remember that you hired them because you trust their skills and ability to get the job done.
Be open to feedback
Be willing to receive feedback from your team and act on it accordingly. This will help you improve the quality of your project and build a better relationship with your team.
Be prepared for cultural differences
There will inevitably be some cultural differences between you and the team. It’s important to be respectful of these differences and try to work together to find common ground.
Have a contingency plan
In fact, things don’t always go as planned, so it’s important to have a contingency plan in place. This could include having backup files or another team ready to take over in case of an emergency. By having a contingency plan, you can reduce the risk of your project being delayed or canceled.
Working with an offshore development team may be a challenge, but it can also be a great opportunity to get your project done and tap into the advantages you are unable to reach otherwise. By following these tips, we hope you can set yourself up for success.
