Dedicated Team Model: The Missing Piece to Your Dream Team

There are a variety of software development models that companies can use in order to get their products or projects off the ground. One such model is the dedicated team model. 

A dedicated team is a group of professionals who work exclusively on a particular project or for a specific client. This model is becoming increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes, as it can provide a number of advantages.

In this article, we will explain what it is, how it works, and when it should be used. We will also provide insights on how to find the right dedicated team that will work seamlessly with your company.

A dedicated team is a form of outsourcing where a group of dedicated workers are assigned to work on a specific project or task for a set period of time. This external team is typically composed of experts who have the skills and knowledge necessary to complete the work effectively. 

The dedicated team model is often used in situations where the work to be done is complex or large in scale and is commonly used in software development.

However, the dedicated team model is not to be confused with the time & material model or the fixed price model, which are 2 other popular outsourcing models.

When done right, the dedicated team model can save time, and costs and deliver exceptional results. So, how does the dedicated team model work?

Here is what a typical process of hiring a dedicated team looks like, using software development projects as an example:

✅ The client outlines their needs

Dedicated teams are assembled for a specific project. To take full advantage of the dedicated team model, the client should be clear on the scope of the software development project, which includes details such as required skills, project timeline, and budget.

✅ The service provider assesses the client’s needs  

With defined objectives and project details, the service provider then assesses the client's needs. This is an important step because it allows the service provider to identify any potential risks and challenges that may arise during the project. 

The service provider also determines if the project is a good fit for the dedicated team model and whether they have team members that are capable of completing the work.

✅ Consulting 

After careful assessment, the service provider will then provide consultation to the client. This is where they will discuss the software development project in detail, including the proposed approach, development methods, team members, detailed project timeline, milestones, software review workflow, QA process and more.

✅ The service provider gathers a team 

After the consultation, the service provider will then begin to assemble a team of experts who have the skills and knowledge necessary to complete the project. 

A dedicated team for a software project development project typically consists of a project manager, software developers, testers, and designers. The roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and the dedicated team is ready to start working on the project!

✅ Full managerial control 

The essence of the dedicated team model is that the client has full managerial control of the dedicated team. This means that the client can provide input and feedback at any time during the project, and can even request changes to be made.

✅ Administration

The dedicated team model also includes the administration and maintenance of the project. The service provider usually takes care of all the administrative tasks related to the project, such as tracking progress, managing timesheets, invoicing, and more. This is why on top of the monthly salary paid to the members of the dedicated team, there is usually a service fee.

The dedicated team model is a type of outsourcing in which a company contracts with another company to provide a dedicated team of workers to work on a specific project.

The dedicated team model can be beneficial because it allows companies to tap into a pool of skilled workers that they would not otherwise have access to. 

In addition, the nature of dedicated teams allows the client to save time and costs on other administrative tasks, which will be taken care of by the service provider, so they can focus their resources on the development of the project.

However, the challenges that come with the dedicated team model are that it may take a long time to put together the right team, it may also be one of the most expensive outsourcing models, and if the project is not managed properly, it can result in poor quality work.

The offshore development model is similar to the dedicated team model in that it involves contracting with another company to provide workers for a specific project. 

However, offshore development typically takes place in a different country from where the client company is based and usually involves setting up a physical location.

The pros of offshore development may include lower labor costs, access to a larger pool of workers, and increased flexibility. It may also help the company attract more international talent and even establish brand awareness in different geographical locations, which can be beneficial if the company is looking to expand its business.

Nonetheless, offshore development can also be a hassle because it usually involves setting up a physical office in a foreign country, which also means that you may need a certain level of understanding of regulations, culture, and other parts of the labor market in that country. 

Offshore development also usually requires an upfront investment, unlike the dedicated team model with monthly salary and service fee as its pricing structure.

Now that you have a clear picture of what a dedicated team model is and how it works, let's talk about whether the dedicated team model is suitable for your business.

📍 3 key factors to consider when hiring a dedicated team

• The scale of the project: 

If you have a large-scale and/or long-term project that requires a lot of manpower, then the dedicated team model may be a good option for you. 

Assembling a dedicated team takes time, and there may be an initial learning curve to conquer for both sides before the full potential of the team is realized. It would make more sense to make this kind of investment if you have a large enough project scale. 

• The time frame you have: 

At the very least, your project timeline should be flexible enough to incorporate the time to overcome the inertia of building a successful dedicated team. 

This means that the dedicated team model may not be suitable for extremely time-sensitive projects, as well as short-term projects.

• The budget you have: 

As mentioned earlier, the dedicated team model is one of the most expensive options when it comes to outsourcing software development projects. 

So you should weigh the benefits of the dedicated team model against its cost to see if it is worth it for your company.

So, when should you invest in building a dedicated team for your project? 

📍 When to use the dedicated team model

• When you have a large project:  

The larger the project, the finer the division of labor required and the more people you will need to complete it. A dedicated team can be very helpful in such cases as it offers you a way to have a specific team of people working on your project alone.

• When you have a long-term project: 

Hiring a dedicated team can yield long-term benefits for both you and the team, so if you have a project that extends beyond the scope of just a few weeks or months, then it may be a good idea to consider this outsourcing model.

• When you need flexibility: 

A dedicated team can offer you a lot of flexibility when it comes to how your project is completed. You can have the team work according to your schedule and make changes to the project structure as you see fit.

• When you want to have total control: 

With the dedicated team model, you have full control over the team and the project. This leaves less room for error, and you can be more confident that the project will be done according to your specifications.

Now that we've gone over when you should consider hiring a dedicated team, let's talk about how you can go about finding the right one.

Here are 3 key steps that will help you find the right dedicated team for your project:

🎯 Review the portfolio.

The first step of putting together a great dedicated team is knowing what you need and knowing if the hired developers can deliver.

You should start by reviewing the portfolio of candidates or service providers that have the necessary skills to supplement your team.

🎯 Read reviews or ask for references.

Once you determine which skills you may need on your dedicated team, you should look for reviews that mention the experience of working with the team you're considering. 

Asking for references from companies who have used the team's services before is also a good way to get an idea of what it would be like to work with them.

🎯 Discuss with the service provider.

After listing a few dedicated team service providers,  you should reach out to them and have a discussion about your project. This will give you a chance to get to know the team better and see if they would be a good fit for your project.

--- Originally written by Candy Ho ---