4 Mistakes to avoid- when building an extended development team

A well-rounded development team is crucial for tech-enabled organisations to create innovative products and services. However, the talent shortage in Western countries has led many businesses to consider extending their teams elsewhere.

Organisations can maximise their investment and access skilled engineers without overspending by establishing an extended development team in another country. Nevertheless, offshore staff augmentation demands careful planning and alignment to avoid pitfalls.

This blog post sheds light on typical errors companies make when expanding their development teams and offers practical solutions to forge a successful partnership with offshore providers. You can ensure a fruitful collaboration with your extended development team by steering clear of these mistakes!

1.Outsourcing your development processes

Don't settle for a quick fix when expanding your development capabilities! Consider building an extended team for a lasting solution. Dedicated engineers invested in your business's vision will make all the difference.

Unlike outsourcing, where teams divide their attention among various clients, your extended team is devoted entirely to your vision and long-term goals.

2.Overlooking value while concentrating on costs

While cost is a significant consideration in business decisions, fixating solely on price may lead to underrating the overall proposition. The example of outsourcing highlights that going for the cheapest option is not always the best course of action.

Shift your focus towards the value the deal brings. Assess portfolios, expertise, and the potential for increased productivity and success. If the facts don't add up, look at other options.

3.Limited engagement with your extended development team

Your organisation's success depends on a local team and an extended development team, the only difference being where they operate.

Overlooking your remote team's participation in important business discussions and team calls and not respecting their views can make them feel isolated and unacknowledged. This can impact their morale, motivation, and productivity in the long run, leading to suboptimal software outcomes.

To prevent such problems, involve your extended team in essential discussions, welcome their ideas, acknowledge their efforts, and promote collaboration in daily tasks.

Research from Harvard Business School revealed that recognising and appreciating remote team members' work positively affects productivity by 37%. Treat your extended team as you would your local team, and witness the positive impact it can create!

4.Neglecting to map out a clear plan

Building a stellar extended development team is an exciting journey, but lacking proper planning often leads to struggles in task assignments.

Before joining forces with an offshore development company, establish a clear roadmap outlining actionable steps for the near future. Making unplanned changes to requirements can lead to chaos and a lack of productivity.

Though being spontaneous may be tempting, make sure your remote team has sufficient work for at least the next one to two development cycles.

Source:https://www.apsense.com/article/building-an-extended-development-team-4-mistakes-to-avoid.html