Offshore Development Teams: How to Build and Scale a Remote Team of Expert Developers

How do you set up an offshore development team that is miles away from you? We have all the right answers. Thanks to advancements in technology and the internet, working with a global team has become much more simple.

Building and scaling a remote team of experienced developers can be a terrific method to accomplish your goals, whether you are a startup looking to cut expenses or a major company looking to access a pool of talented engineers.

Offshore development teams can give you access to a talented developer pool at a lower cost, enabling them to create cutting-edge products and maintain their competitiveness.

The methods for establishing and growing an offshore development team will be covered in this post, along with the advantages of working with a remote team.

What Is An Offshore Development Team? – Offshore Development Team Meaning 

An offshore development team is a group of remote software developers from another country offering cost-effective and flexible development solutions. However, managing the team might be challenging to some extent due to communication and cultural barriers. Overall, hiring offshore development teams can be a valuable asset for businesses looking to scale up their development capabilities.

Why Hire An Offshore Development Team?

Before we dive into the nitty gritty of building and growing an offshore development team, let’s discuss the benefits of having a remote team. Some of the most significant advantages are:

• Cost Savings
  

  One of the primary reasons companies turn to offshore development teams is to save the cost of building an in-house team. By building a team in a lower-cost region, businesses can access top-tier talent at a fraction of the cost. This can reduce development costs and increase ROI significantly.

• Access to a Broader Talent Pool
  

  Get access to a broader talent pool with offshore development teams. Instead of limiting your search to local software developers, you can tap into a global talent pool of software developers with diverse skill sets and backgrounds. This can be particularly beneficial for businesses that require specialized skill sets or expertise.

• Round-the-Clock Development
  

  Offshore development teams also provide round-the-clock development cycles. With teams located in different time zones, your organization can continue to make progress on your projects 24/7, significantly reducing development time. Your chosen offshore country makes a crucial impact on your productivity.

According to a Verified Market Research , the offshore development market value reached USD 123 Billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 284 Billion by the 2027.

Step-by-step Process to Hire and Build an Offshore Development Team

Now that we have a general understanding of offshore development teams, let’s explore the processes necessary to establish and grow a remote team of accomplished engineers.

• Step 1: Determine your project needs and requirements
  

  You must comprehend the needs of your project before you can begin assembling a team. This covers the project timeline, required skills, and technological stack. It’s critical to have a comprehensive grasp of everything to effectively explain your project’s needs to the offshore development team.
  For instance, if you’re creating a mobile application, you’ll require programmers with expertise in mobile app development and familiarity with Swift or Kotlin. The same goes for software development outsourcing and tech product development.

• Step 2: Choose a reputable offshore development company

  The number of offshore development companies around the world is astounding! So how do choose the best option for you? Search for a business with experience in your sector, a solid track record, and a staff of technologists that are knowledgeable about the technologies you require.

  By searching internet directories like Clutch or Upwork, or by requesting recommendations from people in your network, you can identify offshore development companies that match your needs. It’s crucial to conduct in-depth research on the businesses you’re thinking about. Look up references, read reviews, and check out their website to make up your mind.

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• Step 3: Establish team structure and roles
  

  1. What do you do after finding an Offshore development company? The prudent thing is to establish the team’s structure and duties. Defining roles such as project managers, developers, and quality assurance specialists is significant.
  2. The project manager is your primary point of contact with the offshore development team. They will be in charge of managing the project, liaising with the team, and making sure that it is finished on schedule and within budget.
  3. The project’s coding and execution will be done by the developers. You can need several remote developers with varying levels of skill depending on the project’s size.
  4. The project will be tested by the quality assurance team to make sure it adheres to the requirements and specifications. All the other roles are equally important.

• Step 4: Establish tools and channels for communication
  

  Communication is the key when collaborating with a remote team. Setting up tools and communication channels is necessary for effective communication with the offshore software development teams.
  The following methods can help to keep you in touch with your remote team:

1. 1. Email

      An email is a useful tool for formal communication with the offshore development team.  It is asynchronous which means you don’t have to be online at the same time as the team.

   2. Instant Messaging

      You can communicate with the offshore development team in real-time using instant messaging technologies like Slack or Microsoft Teams. This is helpful for last-minute inquiries and updates.

   3. Video conferencing

      You can hold in-person meetings with the dedicated development team using video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Skype. This can be crucial for developing ties with the team and for having more in-depth conversations.

   4. Project management tools

      Manage your projects and keep track of activities and deadlines using project management solutions like Asana or Trello.

According to Deloitte’s 2020 Global Outsourcing survey, 70% businesses hire offshore development teams to reduce costs.

• Step 5: Clearly Express Expectations and Rules

  Setting up clear expectations and rules is essential when working with a remote team. This includes establishing deadlines, specifying project checkpoints, and clarifying the project’s parameters. Ensure that these expectations are successfully communicated when you hire an offshore development team.Setting up rules for collaboration and communication is also crucial. This involves detailing the procedure for raising issues or concerns, clarifying the roles and duties of each team member, and setting expectations for response times.

How to Scale Your Offshore Development Team

Scaling an offshore development team involves a different set of abilities and approaches than building a team from the scratch. Here’s how you can scale and grow with an offshore development team:

• Invest in the expansion and improvement of your team
  

  Scaling your offshore staff requires investing in its expansion and improvement. This entails offering possibilities for continued training and development, as well as career growth paths and advancement prospects. You can make sure that your staff has the knowledge and abilities required to handle increasingly challenging projects by investing in their development.

• Start with a Vision and Plan in Mind
  

  Having a clear vision and plan is crucial before you begin looking for a remote team. This entails having a thorough awareness of your business goals and objectives, as well as the particular responsibilities and skill sets necessary to meet those objectives. This helps you in determining the precise types of talent you need to acquire for your remote team.

• Hire the Right Personnel
  

  The caliber of the employees you select will determine how successful your remote team is. To hire offshore development teams, you have to go beyond the standard hiring requirements, such as education and experience, and take into account other aspects like communication abilities, cultural fit, and work ethic.

• Build a Stable Culture
  

  For any company, creating a strong culture is crucial, but remote teams require it even more. When team members are dispersed across many time zones and regions, it can be difficult to build a sense of belonging and team spirit. A strong culture helps with this. Establishing a culture that values communication, teamwork, and a common goal is crucial for leaders.

• Embrace Technology
  

  Technology is essential to enabling distant teams to collaborate successfully. There are numerous solutions available to support remote teams in remaining connected and operating effectively, from video conferencing to collaborative software. To guarantee that your remote staff has access to the resources they need to succeed, it is crucial for you as a business owner to make the proper technological investments.

• Provide Assistance and Guidance
  

  Working with an offshore development team can be difficult, especially for members who are unfamiliar with the idea. Supporting and educating your remote workforce will make them feel secure and supported in their work. Ensure regular work, and provide training sessions, and resources to assist them in excelling.

• Regular Monitoring and Feedback
  

  Good performance management is essential for every team, but remote teams require it even more. When performance is tracked and regular feedback is given, the team members are better able to grasp how their job is aligned with their hiring company’s objectives. For remote teams to function properly, this promotes a sense of accountability and responsibility.

• Encourage Collaboration
  

  Collaboration is the biggest factor in achieving success as a team. By fostering a collaborative environment, you can encourage team members to coordinate better, share ideas and insights, and work through issues as a unit. Regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and shared documents foster teamwork and a sense of unity and shared purpose.

Bonus Tip: Where To Find An Offshore Development Team

• Search for reputable outsourcing companies that specialize in software development services like Technocrats Horizons.
• Tap into freelance marketplaces and job boards such as Upwork that cater to remote developers.
• Leverage social media and professional networking sites (Linkedin is the best) to connect with developers and development companies.

Before onboarding, thoroughly screen potential candidates and consider benchmarks such as their expertise, experience, and communication skills before hiring. 

Conclusion

Offshore development teams are becoming a mainstay of some of the top startups and scaleups’ success stories. Today’s global scenario has made it a necessity. You must find an offshore development team that is productive and results-fetching.

Technocrats Horizons, one the leading offshoring companies in India, is a digital-native outsourced development company that boosts competitive advantage and accelerates growth. We have over 11 years of experience in software innovation, custom web development, and eCommerce development solutions. Our prodigious tech talent has delivered exceptional results for multiple clients.

Get in touch with us if you have any questions regarding our services, and one of our professionals will respond to you right away.