The following post outlines 5 best practices for creating an amazing and super effective nearshore team. This can make the difference between success and failure. Enjoy it!

About the team size

The team size will depend on many variables including, budget, expectations and time. The typical team comprises about 8 or 10 members and a good rule is to add one QA member for every 2 developers.

If the team size increases, so does the potential number of conflicts, and this can result in a lower productivity. If this happens, the best option is to split the team into various sub-teams. Actually, sub-teams are more effective and easier to manage than larger teams, improving the productivity and higher satisfaction.

About the importance of culture

When selecting individuals for the team make sure they are well suited to collaborative work. Finding and recruiting the best talent available is the top priority for many organizations, but while distributed teams represent the norm in a growing number of companies, they do present a number of challenges in managing people and building the best culture to ensure your team success.

Effective communication between distributed team members does not happen by chance, but requires a set of procedures and guidelines to ensure all team members are lined. Advice: pay attention to efficient management and communication.

About methodologies

The 1st step is agreeing on a methodology. Simple: the software development methodology has implications for how teams perform and the coordination between the client and supplier work.

If you have limited experience working with an external service provider, then look to him for guidance for best practices in managing the relationship. This blows up to selecting and applying the most appropriate methodology.

About roles and responsibilities

It is very important to clearly define each of these functions as well as their responsibilities on both the provider and customer side of the relationship. Roles and responsibilities which are not clearly expressed and understood by both sides create noise and friction decreasing the productivity of the team. The process begins by understanding the skills needed, and identifying the profiles of individuals that match the skills you are looking for and which align to the company’s values.

About communication practices

Communication is a critical factor, but often overlooked in project success. Effective communication just does not happen without appropriate guidelines. Needless to say that language and cultural differences often team communication impact. Team leaders should be responsible for establishing guidelines to search always the most effective communication. The use of instant messaging by Skype, or Google Hangouts makes it easier for real-time, personable communication. So make sure each team member has a webcam on their computer, and can share their computer screen at the click with other team members.

In this point we can not forget to highlight the importance of not having language barriers and working in similar time zones. That makes it easier to collaborate with your internal development teams or partners.

TISA Software offers nearshoring services from Argentina, combined with Houston and Colombia based location.
To learn more about the benefits of working with TISA contact us. Let’s get it done together!

About Ariel Sztern

Ariel is a Software Engineer with more than 20 years of experience in Software Development with experience in managing projects in more than 16 countries

Nowadays Ariel is responsible for managing the operation in USA as President of TISA Software LLC.

Beyond his technical knowledge and passion for the technology Ariel enjoys watching the NBA and playing Ping-Pong, he also like sci-fi movies and was recognized as one of the 40 under 40 by the Houston Business Journal in 2014.