Loading...
Answers
MenuHow to build remote or distributed software development team in 2022?
Came across on this article: https://spd.group/tech-for-businesses/distributed-software-development-team
Is there anything more I should know?
Answers


Definitely a cost efficient option. And gives you more range to find the skillset you need. With all the tool solidified during COVID there's no reason not to work out. Just pay attention to timezone differences and possible data/security restrictions if this team will access client data.
Agree on at least some hours for everyone to be online. For instance, I work with developers in India a lot. They are 10h ahead. I need to start very early and they need to stay late for us to catch up in my EST morning.
Building a remote or distributed software development team involves several key steps:
- Define Clear Goals and Roles: Establish clear objectives and define the roles and responsibilities of each team member.
- Hire the Right Talent: Look for skilled professionals who have experience working remotely and can self-manage effectively.
- Use the Right Tools: Implement communication and project management tools like Slack, Zoom, and Jira to facilitate collaboration.
- Foster a Collaborative Culture: Encourage open communication and regular check-ins to keep everyone aligned and motivated.
- Ensure Robust Onboarding: Provide thorough onboarding to integrate new members smoothly into the team.
For more detailed insights, I recommend reading this article: https://www.cleveroad.com/blog/software-development-team/. It offers comprehensive advice on assembling and managing a remote software development team.
Related Questions
-
From your experience, what are the 'key' rules to building a great team for the long-term?
Your question is very interesting and gives me a feeling you have a real commitment for success because it makes me feel you care for your team. If this question could be fully answered in a couple of lines, you can imagine all managers and executives would lead their teams successfully. The 2 key principles to remember are: 1. Everyone is different: you have to adapt to each individual. It is time consuming but pays off in the long run because everyone has their own learning styles, speed and attitude. Take the time to have 1:1 conversations about them as individuals: likes and dislikes, under what conditions they perform best, how they learn most easily and about their career goals. 2. Create a team spirit. This is the exact opposite of point 1: as much as you recognize everyone as individuals, you have to also build unity and cohesion. There has to be standardized rules of behavior, common values and a shared vision. You have to take time with your team as a whole. This will lead you to create: 1. A personal development plan for each individual in your team, which helps you develop a tailored approach for each person, create reward & recognition systems and monitor people's happiness and performance. This helps you understand your team from a micro-perspective. 2. An organizational development plan for your start-up to give you a more global vision of the talents you need to acquire, retain and grow. This helps you understand your team from a macro-perspective. Team building requires taking time for all the different aspects of bonding: forming, storming, norming, performing, mourning. It's always about balancing two extremes: On one hand you want to take time to work together and alone, to learn & grow, to brainstorm, to create, to plan, to prepare, to research and to measure performance. On the other hand you, you also want to take time away from the office to stop & think, take time to have fun, take time to get to know each other, take time to rest & relax. Do you need any guidance to build individual and organizational development plans that will support growth and team building for your start-up?
-
There is a person working with you who has great skills but doesn't fit the culture, how far would you go with trying to help this person to change?
Backwards. I'd make sure that person didn't stay in the company. "One dirty fish muddies the whole pond" It's not personal or malicious - they're just not the right fit. A great skill set, while very important is always secondary to cultural fit if you really want your company to flourish.
-
What is the difference between your team and a network and how should they be treated differently?
In my companies I define a team as my in house leadership (I refer to them in all group communications as the LT or Leadership Team). My Personal Network is the collection of contacts and connections that I use to develop my business (Either through mentorship, advice or social/business connections) Our Company Network is our collective group of contacts and connections shared by the Leadership Team.
-
What are some early symptoms of conflict between people working on a team together?
The number one would be shipping product (or anything really) out in front of a customer. If you can't work together to get something done fast, that is usually a huge indicator that somethings wrong. That usually means your values or mission aren't aligned.
-
Selling fast-growing business for personal reasons. Keen to tell our exec team asap (w' equity) so aligned/we're transparent. Good idea?
You will need to weigh the situation. If it were my company, we have a Core Value of "Truth", and we have an expectation of open communication with each other and with our clients. Therefore, if it was me, by running this through our values it would be a no brainer to tell people not just what was going on with me personally but also the decision to sell the company. The other stuff about it being good for them and they'll make out on the deal - you don't have any control over how they'll feel about it. They may feel cheated, betrayed, or they may feel ecstatic. You can't know, and it's not up to you to decide for them. However, you can give them the information so they can make the choice. Or, if you are a company where communication is lacking, transparency is not a value, and you honestly don't care what they think, then don't bother. (Since you said you're keen to tell them though, I'd go with your gut.)