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Summary: Supercharge your in-house teams and watch your business productivity and performance soar with the team extension model. In our professional guide, discover how to strategically integrate top talent, harness business benefits, and conquer challenges head-on with a trusted team extension service provider. So, let's embrace the power of team extension and unlock the key to scale and grow your business.
As businesses scale, team extension services have become a go-to necessity to bridge the widening tech talent gap. Another reason is that many organizations can't afford to build a team from scratch in today's fast-paced and competitive tech landscape. It can also be more tedious, expensive, and may not be feasible for some organizations.
This is where the majority of businesses decide to go with software development outsourcing to scale their workforces quickly and efficiently.
Did you know the global spending on outsourcing would potentially reach up to $917 billion in 2023, making team extension one of the most popular staffing approaches?
But the question lies here – Is team extension a best-fit IT outsourcing model for your business?
Several businesses are often confused with the team extension and dedicated team model. If you are also dealing with the same confusion – don’t worry!
In today’s guide, we will take a deep dive into the team extension model, how it differs, its advantages and challenges, and most importantly how it fits into your business growth strategy.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started!
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In today's dynamic business landscape, the Team Extension model has gained huge popularity due to its flexible and cost-effective nature to scale your projects and meet evolving market demands. Let's delve into the intricacies of this model and uncover what makes it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.
Team Extension is a collaborative business model that enables organizations to augment their in-house teams with external talent, usually from specialized remote teams or IT outsourcing agencies. This approach fosters synergy by incorporating external expertise to work alongside internal teams on projects. Unlike the conventional outsourcing model where external providers get full control over tasks, team extension involves building a dedicated team of remote experts who are completely integrated into your organization's workflows and practices.
But how can an extended team model boost your business? To understand better, let's explore how it works!
Team extension operates by carefully selecting the additional team members needed for a particular project. These external team members are integrated into the existing workflow, allowing them to collaborate seamlessly with the in-house team. This partnership can be for a specific project, a defined duration, or an ongoing basis, depending on the organization's needs.
Most importantly, the structure of a team extension model can be tailored to the unique requirements of each project and organization. It typically includes project managers, developers, designers, or other specialists, depending on the project's nature. Furthermore, clear communication channels and remote team management tools are established to ensure a smooth flow of work and information.
In the software development outsourcing world, the extension team model is not a new approach. It has a wide array of advantages and disadvantages as well. Let's discover a few of the major ones that will simplify your decision:
Pros of the Extended Team Model
Cons of Extended Team Model
After carefully considering its pros and cons, you can determine if this model aligns with your organization's goals and projects. Let’s comprehend!
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The Team Extension Model is particularly well-suited for businesses seeking to optimize their resources and respond to market dynamics with agility. It benefits startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as large corporations, as it offers tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of each organization.
Overall, it provides a strategic and adaptable approach to bolster your workforce, harness external expertise, and efficiently execute projects in a competitive business landscape. Moreover, extending your in-house workforce with dedicated development team is a battle-tested way to deal with your project’s challenges more effectively.
To keep pace with today's dynamic business landscape, flexibility and adaptability are an all-time high requirement for every organization. That's where team extension services empower businesses to stay agile, competitive, and adaptable. Here's how:
1. Access to Top Talent: With team extension services, you can get the ability to tap into a global pool of skilled professionals. You can handpick experts in various fields, ensuring that your projects are executed with precision and excellence.
2. Cost-Efficiency: Building an in-house team can be expensive and time-consuming. By outsourcing remote software development team, you can scale your workforce up or down as needed, saving costs on recruitment, training, and infrastructure.
3. Faster Time-to-Market: When you need to expedite your project's timeline, team extension services offer a swift solution. Experienced professionals can join your team promptly, accelerating development and ultra-fast product delivery.
4. Diverse Skillsets: An extended development team allows you to diversify your skillset. You can assemble a team with a broad range of expertise and different perspectives, adapting to changing project requirements without any hassle of hiring and firing.
5. Focus on Core Competencies: By utilizing the IT outsourcing model for specific tasks or roles, your in-house team can concentrate on core business functions which will increase productivity and overall efficiency.
6. Global Perspective: With team members from different geographic locations, you can gain a global perspective on market trends and innovative opportunities, potentially helping your business to embrace a new horizon of growth opportunities.
7. Risk Mitigation: Team extension services often come with a flexible contract structure, reducing the risk associated with long-term commitments. You have the freedom to adjust the team's size or composition based on your project needs.
Despite the valuable benefits of a managed team model, it also comes with some pitfalls. Before hiring an extended development team for your project, every business owner must be aware of challenges and how to effectively overcome them. Down below we have found core pitfalls to be prepared for, so let's explore!
Pitfall 1: Communication Hurdles
Effective communication is crucial when working with a team extension, especially when team members are dispersed geographically. Pitfalls can include misunderstandings, misalignment of project goals, and inefficient information sharing. The solution to this pitfall is to establish clear communication channels, which could involve using video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management software. Regularly scheduled meetings are essential to discuss project updates, milestones, and expectations. By implementing clear communication guidelines and protocols, you can bridge any potential communication gaps, ensuring that all team members are on the same page and fostering effective collaboration.
Pitfall 2: Cultural Differences
Team extension often involves collaborating with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. While this diversity can bring valuable perspectives, it can also lead to challenges such as misunderstandings and differences in work approaches. The solution to this pitfall is to foster cross-cultural understanding. Encourage open dialogue within the team to address and resolve any cultural disparities. Promote cultural sensitivity and awareness among team members to create an inclusive and collaborative environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their unique insights and experiences, strengthening the team's synergy.
Pitfall 3: Prioritizing Cost Over Value
A common pitfall is the temptation to prioritize cost savings over the value delivered. Cutting corners on team extension expenses may result in subpar work or missed opportunities for innovation. The solution here is to strike a balance between cost-efficiency and quality. Opt for providers that offer competitive rates while maintaining a high standard of work. Emphasize the value generated by the team extension in terms of project outcomes, long-term growth, and innovation rather than solely focusing on cost reduction.
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Nowadays, team extension services have become a powerful tool for companies looking to scale their capabilities. To make this possible, choosing the right partner is crucial for success. Here we have prepared a strategic roadmap to help you hire a reliable team extension partner:
1. Clearly Define Your Project Criteria
The first step is to define your project criteria. What are your business goals, and what specific skills or roles do you require? Having a clear understanding of your project's scope, objectives, and timeline will guide your search for the perfect team extension partner.
2. Ensure Alignment of the Hired Team with Your Project Vision and Requirements
Alignment is key. When you hire a dedicated developer, you must ensure they should not only possess the skills you need but also align with your project vision and requirements. Look for a partner who understands your industry, business values, and long-term goals.
3. Check Cooperation Conditions
Before committing, thoroughly review cooperation conditions. This includes contractual terms, pricing structures, and legal agreements. Ensure that the partner can meet your project's requirements and has a transparent pricing model that aligns with your budget.
4. Setup an Intro Call or Interview
Communication is fundamental. Set up an introductory call or interview with potential team extension partners. This is your opportunity to gauge their communication skills, professionalism, and their ability to work collaboratively with your in-house team. Be sure to discuss expectations, project management, and reporting mechanisms.
5. Assign a Test Task
To truly evaluate a partner's capabilities, consider assigning a test task. This could be a small project, or a task related to the skills you require. The test task allows you to assess the partner's proficiency, problem-solving skills, and their ability to meet deadlines.
Remember, hiring a reliable team extension partner is a strategic investment that can propel your business forward. By following these steps, we ensure you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision, ensuring a productive and harmonious collaboration that leads to success.
Evaluating the cost of hiring an outsourced software developer is perfectly mindful. Majorly, hiring an extension team involves a flexible cost structure that depends on numerous factors, such as the required expertise, project complexity, and geographical location of the dedicated development teams.
For instance, a US organization outsourced a team with US developers for an average of $101,792 annually whereas they must pay €43,040 annually if they hire software developers from the UK. Similarly, the cost of Asia developers varies with other locations. As per studies, Europe is considered as the best destination for offshore software development services.
Meanwhile, the crucial thing is to carefully anticipate your cultural differences and linguistic gaps.
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Key TakeawaysTo deal with today’s fast-paced business landscape and widening skill gap, outsourcing is one of the sensible approaches for sustainable success. However, team extension is the approach that provides stability, and flexible accessibility to global skilled talent to work synergically with your in-house software development teams. To harness the potential of this approach, it is wise to partner with an outsourcing service provider who works closely with each client as a trusted extension/advisor to achieve value-driven outcomes and real revenue.We hope we have successfully clarified your thoughts on team extension, from defining how it works, and its benefits to navigating potential pitfalls. So, whether you are a startup with big-picture goals or an enterprise—sized organization aiming to optimize or scale your operations, team extension is the key to boost your business. Are you looking to hire software developers as an extended team for your project? Feel free to consult our experts anytime.
Dhaval Dave, a Operations Spearhead, and a technology enthusiast at Radixweb. He holds 16 years of experience with proficiency in PHP & frameworks, Node.js, React.js, MongoDB, AWS services, and many other technologies. He is a dynamic leader with exceptional communication skills and has a track record of delivering on-time success for global brands.
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