Exploring the Extended Team Model: Unleashing Collaboration for Success

Comparing Extended Teams Vs. Dedicated Teams

When it comes to assembling teams for project execution, organizations have traditionally relied on the in-house team as the core team. However, with the evolving landscape of remote work and the increasing need for specialized talent, extended teams and dedicated teams have emerged as a viable alternative.

With the extended team model, an existing team can benefit from the augmentation of extended members, particularly those with specialized abilities, who offer unique advantages over their dedicated counterparts.

While with the dedicated team model, the development agency takes care of the hiring, management, and administration of the team, while your company benefits from having a dedicated team working on your projects without the need to directly employ and manage the individuals.

In both cases, outsourcing software development companies like Orient Software can assist. Extended Teams and Dedicated Teams are two different approaches to augmenting a company’s development capabilities. Here’s a comparison of these two models:

Extended Team Model

• Augmented capacity and expertise: An extended team consists of additional team members provided by a development agency to supplement your existing in-house team. These external team members bring specialized skills and expertise to enhance the capabilities and capacity of your team.
• Flexibility and scalability: The development agency can quickly scale up or down the team size based on project requirements, providing flexibility in resource allocation.
• Short-term engagement: Extended teams are often formed for specific projects or time-bound engagements. The team members may work on multiple projects simultaneously or be assigned to different projects as per your company’s needs.
• Collaboration with in-house team: The extended team members work alongside your in-house team, collaborating to achieve project goals. Effective communication and coordination are essential for successful integration and workflow.

Dedicated Team Model

• Full-time commitment: A dedicated team is a group of team members hired by a development agency to work exclusively on your company’s projects. These team members are dedicated solely to your projects and provide focused attention.
• Long-term engagement: Dedicated teams are typically formed for longer-term engagements, providing stability and continuity for ongoing projects. They have a higher degree of familiarity with your company’s systems, processes, and goals.
• Direct management and control: The dedicated team is led by a manager or team lead from the development agency, who oversees the team’s activities, ensures project alignment, and manages the team’s performance.
• Alignment with company culture: As the dedicated team works closely with your company for an extended period, they can develop a deeper understanding and alignment with your company’s culture, values, and objectives.

Ultimately, the choice between an extended team and a dedicated team depends on your specific requirements, such as project duration, resource scalability needs, and the level of specialization or long-term commitment desired. Both models offer the advantage of accessing external resources through a development agency, but the extended team is more project-focused and flexible, while the dedicated team provides a dedicated and aligned workforce for longer-term engagement.

Tips for Leveraging Collaboration in Extended Teams

Compared to a dedicated team model, an extended team model can be particularly useful when you have fluctuating project workloads, require specialized skills, or have tight deadlines to meet. However, there are also many challenges in collaboration processes and clear roles and responsibilities between the in-house team and the external team members. Here are some tips for effective collaboration with this model:

Establishing Effective Communication Channels and Practices

Effective communication is the foundation of successful collaboration. When working with extended teams, it is crucial to establish clear communication channels and practices.

• Define communication protocols: Establish guidelines for communication channels, response times, and preferred methods of communication.
• Foster open and transparent communication: Encourage team members to openly share ideas, concerns, and progress updates.
• Schedule regular check-ins: Plan regular team meetings or check-ins to discuss project progress, address challenges, and provide updates.

Encouraging Cross-Functional Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing are vital for tapping into the diverse expertise within extended teams.

• Promote a culture of collaboration: Emphasize the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and the benefits it brings to project outcomes.
• Foster a learning environment: Create opportunities for continuous learning and skill development. Consider organizing knowledge-sharing sessions or workshops to facilitate cross-pollination of ideas.
• Encourage mentorship and peer support: Encourage senior team members to guide and mentor junior members, fostering growth and knowledge transfer within the team.

Leveraging Technology and Tools for Seamless Collaboration and Project Management

• Choose the right collaboration tools: Select collaboration tools that may include project management platforms, communication tools, document-sharing platforms, and task management systems. Make sure team members are trained on how to use these tools efficiently.
• Utilize video conferencing for virtual face-to-face interaction: Video conferencing tools enable team members to have real-time, face-to-face interactions, fostering a sense of connection and engagement.
• Streamline project management processes: Use project management tools to track project progress, assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor milestones.