How to Optimize Offshore Development Efforts with a Dedicated Team Model

The Silent Meeting: Why did the offshore team stay quiet during the call?

Because everyone was on mute, and no one noticed for 20 minutes.

It’s funny because it happens more often than we’d like to admit. The irony is that in today’s world, we rely so much on virtual communication that the simplest of technical issues can turn an entire meeting into a silent film. Miscommunication isn’t just about language or time zones; it’s often about tools, team alignment, and the absence of a cohesive connection.

And that’s why having a dedicated team model seems like a necessity if you want them to be part of your core. When everyone feels integrated and connected, the chance of "silent meetings" — both literally and figuratively — drops significantly.

What is a Dedicated Team Model?

A Dedicated Team Model is a business engagement approach where a client collaborates with a team of professionals who are solely committed to their project for a specified duration. The team operates almost as an extension of the client’s in-house staff but is typically hired through an external partner or agency. This model is ideal for long-term projects or evolving scopes where a business requires a specialized, focused group of experts to work on their goals without distractions continuously.

Unlike one-off project-based collaborations, the dedicated team stays with the client throughout the project lifecycle, gaining a deep understanding of the client’s objectives, workflows, and culture. The team often consists of developers, project managers, quality assurance specialists, and other skilled professionals tailored to meet the project’s needs.

Clients maintain oversight and communication, much like they would with their employees, ensuring seamless collaboration. The model is particularly beneficial for businesses looking for greater control over their projects while still leveraging external expertise.

What are its Advantages Over an Offshore Team Model?

The Dedicated Team Model offers several advantages over a traditional offshore team model, where a client may engage with remote teams on a more ad hoc or short-term basis:

1. Consistency and Commitment: In a dedicated model, the team is fully committed to your project. Offshore teams may be juggling multiple clients, leading to divided attention.

2. Seamless Communication: A dedicated team typically works more closely with the client, often using the same tools, processes, and communication channels. In contrast, offshore teams may face more challenges due to time zone differences or less integrated workflows.

3. Deep Understanding of the Project: Since the team is dedicated long-term, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of the project’s goals, enabling them to offer solutions and improvements that a short-term offshore team may not be able to deliver.

4. Flexibility: Dedicated teams are more flexible and can scale up or down based on project needs. Offshore models may be rigid, with fixed terms and limited adaptability.

5. Cultural Alignment: The dedicated team becomes more aligned with your company culture, which fosters smoother collaboration and minimizes friction. Offshore teams, while skilled, may face challenges aligning with the client’s internal values and processes.

Cross-checking the Pros and Cons of a Dedicated Team Model

When deciding if the Dedicated Team Model is right for your business, it’s essential to weigh its pros and cons carefully:

Pros:

1. Focused Expertise: You get a team solely focused on your project, which leads to greater productivity and a higher level of expertise.

2. Long-term Value: For projects that evolve or need continuous support, a dedicated team provides consistency and helps with long-term strategic goals.

3. Control and Transparency: You have direct access to and control the team’s progress, enabling real-time feedback and adjustments.

4. Tailored Solutions: Since the team understands your business deeply, they can provide customized solutions that fit your specific needs.

Cons:

1. Higher Costs: While more flexible, a dedicated team model can be more expensive than short-term offshore engagements due to the commitment and expertise required.

2. Onboarding Time: It takes time to build rapport and integrate the team into your processes, especially at the beginning of the collaboration.

3. Management Overhead: You’ll need to manage the team closely, which can add extra responsibilities to your internal staff.

4. Commitment Dependency: If your project’s scope is unclear or prone to rapid changes, a dedicated team may require adjustments that can be time-consuming.

In summary, the Dedicated Team Model offers a highly customizable, long-term solution but requires a deeper investment in terms of both time and resources. Its success depends on the project's complexity, scope, and the company’s capacity to manage and integrate the team effectively.

Optimizing offshore development efforts with a dedicated team model 

It involves strategic planning, management, and fostering a collaborative environment. Here's a guide on how to achieve that:

Step	Key Focus Areas
1. Choose the Right Offshore Partner	Due Diligence: Evaluate technical expertise, track record, and cultural fit. Specialization: Partner experienced in relevant technologies and industry. Location: Consider time zones, language, and regional expertise.
2. Clear Objectives and Defined Scope	Goal Alignment: Define business objectives clearly. Detailed Specifications: Provide thorough requirements and prototypes. Iterative Feedback: Use Agile methodologies for regular project reviews.
3. Dedicated Team Structure	Long-Term Engagement: Dedicated teams work best for long-term projects. Tailored Composition: Customize team roles (e.g., developers, QA, PMs). Full Control: Directly manage the team or assign a local PM.
4. Foster Effective Communication	Regular Meetings: Daily stand-ups, weekly reviews, sprint meetings. Collaboration Tools: Use Slack, Jira, Trello, etc. Cultural Sensitivity: Acknowledge and respect cultural differences.
5. Maintain High Standards of Quality	Agile Development: Use Scrum or Kanban for iterative progress. Code Reviews & QA: Implement continuous integration on (CI), automated testing. KPIs: Monitor metrics like code quality and productivity.
6. Ensure Knowledge Transfer and Retention	Documentation: Keep detailed records of milestones and es, code, and specs. Training: Onboard offshore teams on product and architecture.
7. Manage Risks	Time Zone Management: Plan meetings with overlap in working hours. Security Protocols: Enforce NDAs and data security measures. Contingency Plans: Prepare for team attrition or infrastructure issues.
8. Foster Team Collaboration and Engagement	Team Integration: Treat the offshore team as an extension of the onshore team. Motivation: Involve the offshore team in decisions and brainstorming.
9. Focus on Cost Efficiency	Monitor Costs: Track expenses to ensure cost advantages. Long-Term Budgeting: Plan budget for extended engagements.
10. Leverage the Dedicated Team’s Expertise	Innovative Solutions: the  Tap into offshore team’s fresh perspectives. Continuous Learning: Encourage learning to stay current with technology.

By implementing these best practices, you can optimize your offshore development efforts with a dedicated team model, higher-quality quality software, faster time-to-market, and reduced operational costs.

Optimize offshore development efforts with Braves Technologies’ dedicated team model. 

We follow these key strategies:

1. Leverage our Expertise: Braves specializes in sourcing top Indian tech talent and aligning them with your project goals. We manage recruitment, onboarding, and team integration, ensuring seamless collaboration.

2. Managed Operations: We handle payroll, appraisals, and infrastructure, freeing you to focus on core development.

3. Flexible and Scalable: Braves adapts to your time zones and needs, providing rapid team setup within 15-30 days​.

This ensures efficient collaboration and cost-effective growth.