Sometimes, it’s necessary to get additional help in the middle of the project. At other times, you want to connect new developers to the finished project. When the software development process suddenly needs to scale, you need to book for more professionals to speed up the project phase. When this happens, you need to connect new people to an existing project. How does it work?
The first thing you can consider is to hire dedicated software developers for the remaining project duration. There are many companies and licensed professional developers available for booking and recruitment. For project managers, here are seven tips for connecting dedicated developers to an existing project:
Understand how the existing project works
Though this step is a basic and no-brainer for many project managers, it often misses the mark of most people who manage the project. More than being knowledgeable about the project, it’s better if the project manager also understands how the last person fulfilled the tasks in the position.
From the programming language, database management, and existing modules, project managers should master the existing project already. In that way, when you are on the lookout for new people to fill in the position, you can answer any questions, which are most likely tied to the existing software already.
Orient the existing team about getting a new developer
You need to inform the existing team if you add a new person to the project. Since the team already has current collaboration and dynamics in play, it may be hard for recruits to fit in or communicate appropriately with other people.
It’s best to orient these members about some changes to lend a hand in necessary cases to the recruit. There may be changes in the workload and productivity rates for the team quickly to accommodate additional dedicated developers.
Recruit new talent for the existing project
The first step is finding the right recruit to add to the team or jump on the existing project. Suppose you’re starting over from scratch to get people for the current project. In that case, the recruitment process for a dedicated developer may be the longest, especially if you already have an existing set of technical skills and you’re only looking to outsource the positions.
Contact the right vendors and agencies to work with dedicated developers to take over an existing project. Take hands-on work in the recruitment process so you’ll get to know potential candidates for all the empty positions in the team.
Integrate the new developers in the team structure
Once you are done with the selection process, the real work on the existing project starts. It can be overwhelming for new developers to join already solid dedicated teams; with the proper introduction and integration, keeping up with the team becomes simpler. Consider this time as a welcoming and onboarding process for the recruit.
Don’t forget to give background on the current project schedules and timelines. If there are team habits and practices such as weekly dinners, game nights, scheduled clientele meetings, and other ongoing things not directly tied to developing code, always inform the recruit about it.
Emphasize job position and role
Since you’re getting dedicated developers for an existing project, there is already a foundation in place. Be very clear about the position and the necessary technical skills of the new developer to start to reconcile their skills with the existing project.
It pays off to explain in concrete detail the role of the new developer. Any mishaps in understanding can change the way the project works if you’re not on the same page as the new developer in the team. Nevertheless, give a warm welcome and assure the new developer about the project.
Orient the new developers about the software
In the first week of the job, don’t expect the new developers to master everything at once already. It’s the induction phase of the new developer to the existing software and the team. It would be best to leave some grace period as training or adjustment of the recruit to the project. Don’t forget to discuss the project goals, definitions of success, performance metrics of the software, and potential incentives for dedicated developers in the long run.
Inform the client about new team additions
More than informing the team and introducing new people to the project, don’t forget to notify the client of changes. If you’re creating software for a client, discuss the necessity for new talent and apply amendments in the contract and payment of respective parties. The client should acknowledge and approve all the changes to the team, if applicable. Transparency is key in keeping good clients in future projects.
