A Detailed Guide on Dedicated Software Development Team Structure

The importance of having the right team structure can’t be overstated when it comes to navigating product development. With over 12 years of experience, KMS has assembled dedicated software development teams for numerous projects. In this article, we aim to provide valuable insights on how to form an efficient development team. Let’s dive in.

See more: Dedicated Software Development Team Structure for Banks

Table of Contents

Why does setting the right dedicated software development team structure matter?

3 common approaches to dedicated software development team structure

Key factors determining the dedicated software development team structure

Where to find a dedicated software development team?

Why does setting the right dedicated software development team structure matter?

A dedicated software development team is a group of IT engineers who fully own your tech projects. The team can fill any position you lack in the development team, from the C-level executives who set the project vision, the project manager who facilitates the processes to solution architects who turn ideas into functional code and designers who augment user experience.

The dedicated development team structure plays a crucial role in the project’s success as it determines how team members will work together and how they communicate with one another. It sets the tone for the project’s development process and defines the level of collaboration and communication required between team members. 

Choosing the proper development structure can help streamline development , reduce communication gaps, and ensure that everyone works towards a common goal.

3 common approaches to dedicated software development team structure

Let’s start by examining the three typical team structures commonly found in the market - generalist, specialist, and hybrid.

Generalist Team Structure 

A generalist development team is composed of professionals with a broad range of skills and experience. Each team member possesses a moderate level of proficiency in various product development fields, but none has specialized expertise in a particular area. The generalist team is suitable for medium-complexity projects managed using Agile techniques.

Specialist Team Structure

The specialist team structure approach consists of highly-skilled individuals who are experienced in a specific field but may lack comprehensive knowledge of general development matters. Each team member possesses in-depth expertise in their niche, enabling them to excel in their particular role. Hence, this team structure is ideal for projects that require deep expertise in a specific narrow area.

This team structure ensures high-quality product development. However, due to their specialized nature, communication between team members might be difficult without a moderator.

Hybrid Team Structure

The hybrid team structure is a blend of both specialist and generalist formats. This approach allows the team to begin working on the project with a broad skill set and then focus on more specialized features as necessary. Offering a compromise between the two worlds, no surprise when it’s a popular choice for many enterprises hoping to maximize effectiveness. This team format is great for large-scale, complex projects with tight deadlines.

However, the hybrid team structure is not without its challenges, and communication is one of them. As team members operate in different niches and specializations, reaching a consensus on certain issues can be difficult. Effective facilitation is crucial to overcome this problem and ensure smooth communication among team members. 

Key factors determining the dedicated software development team structure

People are the pillar of every product. How well you map your business goals to the roles in a development team plays a huge role in determining your project's success. Thus, when establishing a dedicated software development team structure, make sure you consider these factors: 

Project Complexity

Depending on the nature of your project, the team might have different structures to deliver the desired outcome. For instance, a generalist team can be in charge of a simple e-commerce platform, whereas a sophisticated NFT trading marketplace would need a team of specialists with diverse backgrounds.

Project Deadline

The speed at which you want to deliver your product will also impact the size and structure of your dedicated software development team. Hence, if you have a vision for a cutting-edge solution that must be created from scratch and within a short timeframe, you might need to put together a large hybrid team to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of a full-fledged product.

Project Budget

Closely linked to all the above-mentioned factors, the available budget would undoubtedly impact every choice you make, such as the number and expertise of team members you can recruit, as well as the extent of features in the final product. To lower project costs while maintaining quality during the initial stages of development, consider implementing Agile development approach. You can have greater financial flexibility by delivering in increments and prioritizing critical features first.

Where to find a dedicated software development team? 

Forming an in-house development team can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. And it might not make sense when you only need them for a one-off project. Hence, an outsourced development team becomes an ideal solution for many businesses whose core competencies are not relevant to technology. The cost-effective approach allows companies to increase their flexibility and access a wider range of specialized skills without having to invest in new infrastructure or hire additional employees. 

Hence, recruiting the dedicated software development team is, without a doubt, exceptionally advantageous for enterprises, but how do you locate the right digital team? This won't be an issue if you know where to start looking.

Digital Publications

Outsourced developers aren't only skilled at building apps, they're also incredibly generous in sharing software development tried-and-true practices. When searching for IT know-how for your tech projects, you might come across blog posts or industry insights written by them. Usually, those articles will be published via their websites or popular platforms such as Medium and LinkedIn.

Reading through such materials can help you gauge their technical expertise and other factors impacting collaboration between them and your internal teams. For instance, you can estimate their language proficiency by assessing how ideas are interpreted in the article.

Review Platforms

It's essential to conduct proper research before employing a dedicated software development team. A highly recommended method is to evaluate the team's performance based on feedback from their previous clients. Instead of directly contacting these clients, you can rely on review platforms such as Clutch and GoodFirms to provide comprehensive information about the team's services, including ratings, testimonials, hourly rates, and their services.

Conclusion

A project's success can hinge on the structure of its dedicated software development team, be it a generalist, specialist or hybrid approach. It's crucial to carefully consider the project's complexity, budget, and deadlines to choose the right team structure.

At KMS Solutions, we pride ourselves on building dedicated software development teams that seamlessly align with our client's business objectives and requirements.

Reach out to us today and let us help your project soar!