What is the optimal size of a dedicated development team?

 

It is important to analyze the size of the dedicated development team before starting a new software project because this will allow you to determine the amount of resources needed to carry out the project efficiently and effectively.

 

If the dedicated development team is too small, there can be an overload of work for team members, which can lead to bugs, delays, and lower product quality. On the other hand, if the dedicated development team is too large, there can be coordination and communication problems, which can also affect product quality and meeting deadlines.

 

In addition, the size of the team can also be influenced by other factors, such as the complexity of the project, the experience of the team, and the availability of resources. Therefore, it is important to analyze these factors along with the size of the team to determine the optimal team structure and ensure the success of the software project.

 

 

 

Types of profiles that must be present in a dedicated software development team

Although software developers are thought to be the key to a dedicated development team, many profiles are really needed to cover the different needs of a project.

 

Look at these profiles that you should consider in your next project:

 

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

In charge of writing and programming the code that makes the product work.

 

USER EXPERIENCE (UX) DESIGNER

It is responsible for designing the user interface and overall user experience of the product to make it easy to use and attractive to the user.

 

USER INTERFACE (UI) DESIGNER

It is responsible for designing the visual appearance of the user interface, including elements such as buttons, icons and other graphic elements. Learn about the characteristics of a good dedicated team here.

 

BUSINESS ANALYST

It is responsible for analyzing the business requirements for the product and determining what features and functionality are necessary to achieve the business objectives.

 

TESTER OR QA (QUALITY ASSURANCE)

It is responsible for testing the product to ensure that it works correctly and without errors, and to identify any problems or bugs that may arise.

 

PROJECT MANAGER

He is in charge of coordinating and supervising the entire development team, making sure the project is on track and within budget and schedule.

 

SECURITY SPECIALIST

It is responsible for ensuring that the product is safe and meets the required safety standards.

 

 

ACCESSIBILITY SPECIALIST

It is responsible for making sure that the product is accessible to people with disabilities and meets accessibility standards.

 

SCALABILITY SPECIALIST

It is responsible for ensuring that the product can handle a large volume of users and data.

 

DATABASE SPECIALIST

It is in charge of designing, developing and maintaining the product database.

 

READ MORE ABOUT TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION WITH A DEDICATED DEVELOPMENT TEAM

 

How many members should a dedicated software development team have?

An effective software development team should be large enough to cover all the tasks and needs of the project, but not so large as to be unmanageable. A small team of 3-5 people may be adequate for small, simple projects, while larger, more complex projects may require teams of 10 or more people.

 

 

The book "The Mythical Man-Month" by Frederick Brooks, a classic in software project management, suggests that the ideal size of a team is 7 people, since this size provides a balance between communication and productivity. However, this recommendation is based on older projects and may not be applicable to more modern and complex projects.

 

In addition, it is important to consider the experience and skills of the team. It is preferable to have a small but highly experienced and specialized team, than a large team but with little experience or limited skills.

 

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Keys to managing a dedicated software development team

Managing dedicated software development teams can be challenging, but there are several keys that can help ensure an efficient and productive team.

 

• Clear communication is essential in any software development team. “With remarkable consistency, the data has confirmed that communication indeed plays a critical role in building successful teams. In fact, we've found that communication patterns are the single most important predictor of team success. Not only that, but they are just as important as all other factors, such as individual intelligence, personality, skills," they stated in the Harvard Business Review.
• Each team member should have a clear and defined role in the project, with specific responsibilities and goals.

 

• Project management tools like JIRA or Trello can be very helpful for assigning tasks and tracking progress.
• It is important to be flexible and willing to adapt as changes arise in the project.
• It is important to keep the team motivated and recognize their work and achievements. This may include public recognition, incentives, and opportunities for professional growth.
• It is essential to have a process for managing conflict and ensuring that all team members feel heard and respected.

 

Efficient management of dedicated software development teams requires clear communication, defined roles and responsibilities, appropriate processes and tools, flexibility and adaptability, motivation and recognition, and effective conflict management. With these keys, you can build an efficient and productive team that can face challenges and deliver quality software.

 

Do you need a dedicated software development team to power your business? At Rootstack, we have +12 years of experience supporting companies in their digital transformation. Contact us!

 

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