Dan Branco, CTO of GSI Solutions, guides SMBs through the transformative journey to becoming empowered, decentralized digital enterprises.
Embracing the global digital workforce is a revolution, offering talent diversity, cost-effectiveness and expedited project timelines. It’s a tempting proposition for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) eyeing swift market entry and budget control.
However, drawing from my 20-plus years in this industry, I can attest that remote product development is a different beast. It’s less about transplanting office culture and more about fostering partnerships that are underscored by accountability and results.
It would be best to approach your remotely staffed development project the same way you would approach a construction project. The focus should be on defining clear deliverables with goals, service-level standards and timelines. Performance incentives should be tied to meeting or beating quality and service goals, not just timelines.
Tread carefully, though. Geographical distance may invite delayed deliverables, amplifying the importance of trust and accountability. A centralized project management tool like Jira or Notion is essential, but more is needed to guarantee successful remote product development.
Here’s my roadmap for SMEs seeking to leverage the global digital workforce effectively.
1. Structure your communications.
A 2022 survey underscored the importance of a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect—clear and effective communication.
A product team is a vibrant amalgamation of managers, engineers, designers, developers and testers, each donning unique roles, viewpoints and priorities. While these differences are necessary, they may lead to miscommunication even when the whole team sits together in the same office.
Imagine orchestrating harmony among North American executives and designers, Southeast Asian social media savants and European engineers, all waking up to different sunrises. Navigating this intricate dance of diverse locations necessitates nothing less than a bulletproof communication strategy.
Why? Because you’re multiplying those regular in-house communications challenges by factors like:
• Communication style differences.
• Cultural differences.
• English as a second language.
• Less-defined hierarchical structure.
Here’s what you can do to better ensure success in these cases.
• Utilize tool management solution tools to crystallize thoughts, expectations and communication plans.
• Adopt a high-level roadmap, integrate periodical funnels for direction and engrave clear timelines.
• Pair video meetings with written summaries to ensure better understanding.
• Use tools like ChatGPT and Hemingway to ensure that the writing is accessible at a grade-8 level.
• Speak clearly, pay attention to facial expressions and avoid using local or informal phrases.
2. Don’t reinvent the wheel.
Opting to utilize existing technology, a “buy-versus-build” decision, can yield substantial savings in time, resources and capital. Here are three ways to do it.
Companies provide ready-made applications covering a broad spectrum of functionalities, from Salesforce’s CRM systems to project management tools like Asana and Trello or Adobe’s creative suite. SaaS tools are usually well-documented, supported and maintenance-free.
Giants like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure offer myriad services that fast-track application development, minimizing the need for in-house expertise in server management, database administration and network security.
A cornucopia of libraries, frameworks and tools are available from the open-source community, allowing for tailored software solutions at no cost. You can modify the source code to fit specific requirements.
Each method carries its own merits and trade-offs. The choice depends on project specifics, budget, timeline, team expertise and long-term technology plans.
3. Consider scalability, reliability and security from the initial design.
Creating a standout digital product needs industry know-how. It’s like this: Scalability, reliability and security aren’t universal—they’re nuanced, flavored by your industry’s vibe. Can your coding champs intuitively understand all the industry-specific risks and quirks? Probably not.
Consider this: A banking app and a casual mobile game each have unique scaling and security demands. A telehealth platform’s reliability could be the thin line between wellness and ill health.
Small businesses might find it beneficial to use ready-made services like AWS’ Cognito user authentication service for time-saving, security and scalability. However, larger firms or funded startups might opt for an enterprise-strength directory service for greater control, data ownership and brand consistency.
Before you plunge into development, bring in the veterans from your field. They’ve been through the warzones of your industry, aware of the landmines and shortcuts. Their experience helps dodge costly missteps and crafts a robust, scalable and secure digital product that hits the mark.
4. Work closely with a partner or company.
As an SME, it’s wise to prioritize established organizations over individual freelancers for your product development. Agencies typically hold themselves to a high standard of accountability and work systematically. An experienced project manager is crucial in this equation, equipped to distinguish genuine hurdles from mere inefficiency or mismanagement.
Forming enduring relationships with remote product teams for future endeavors is a strategic move. Intimate collaboration empowers these teams to comprehend your product better, enhancing their productivity in later projects. This strategy also saves you from the tedious cycle of constantly scouting for new partners.
5. Take a structured approach to development.
Opt for a measured, incremental approach over a “big bang” method. Upfront planning streamlines development and quality assurance stages, saving you time and resources in the long run. Here are some helpful tips.
Variance in estimates from different remote teams suggests your idea, budget or timeline may need refinement. Strive for consistent initial feedback with a 20% margin.
Dissect your product into individual features and estimate timelines. For instance, if you have 27 features and expect three completed per month, you’re looking at a 9-month prototype timeline.
Offer your remote team explicit tasks, from first to last.
Encourage timely delivery but prepare for delays. Communication is key. Make it known that exceeding a set failure threshold will lead to pre-agreed consequences.
Parting Thoughts
Navigating the global digital workforce is like conducting an orchestra, needing clear communication amidst diverse talents. Opting for existing technologies helps strike the right chords, while a carefully plotted roadmap ensures a harmonious symphony. Equip yourself with these tools, and start dancing to the digital revolution’s rhythm, transforming this complex dance into your masterpiece. Happy building!
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