How to Manage Remote Software Developers: Best Tips
Remote work is now a big part of the modern work environment, especially in today’s post-COVID era. According to a 2022 StackOverflow Survey, 42.98% of almost 59,000 software developers work remotely.
While there are many benefits to using remote teams, it can be a challenge to manage them effectively. In this article, we’ll give you some of the best recommendations on how to manage a remote team of software developers.
How Remote Development Teams Are Beneficial for Business
If you are considering to build or hire dedicated remote development team, here are some of the reasons why this is the best move:
Access to a Global Pool of Top Talents
You can have access to top software developers from anywhere in the world. For example, you can access some of the most talented teams from Poland, Romania, Portugal, Germany, and Ukraine. Ukraine alone has an IT talent pool of more than 250,000 experts.
Expedited Work Processes
Remote software development allows companies to fast-track their projects. This is possible through the differences in time zones. People working at different times means more hours dedicated to the project per week.
Cost Optimization
Businesses can save money by having remote development teams. This is because they do not have to provide office space, equipment, or other resources for remote employees.
Risk Reduction
Another significant advantage is the reduction in risk. By outsourcing the development process, businesses can avoid the potential pitfalls associated with hiring in-house developers, such as employees quitting after the company has invested in training them.
Opportunities to Branch Out into New Markets
Having a remote software development team in a location you are looking to expand to can give your business a soft landing in terms of local industry requirements and regulations. You can also take advantage of their familiarity with the local culture and minimize the dangers of cultural miscommunication.
The Challenges of Managing Remote Development Teams
Let’s now look a some of the challenges that come with managing remote development teams.
Communication Problems
Probably the biggest challenge of managing a remote development team is staying in communication with team members who are in different time zones. There is also the problem of a language barrier when working with non-native English speakers.
Difficulty in Managing Complex Tasks
When using remote teams, it can be tricky to monitor project productivity, particularly when complex tasks are involved. You may have to wait hours for a response to your email, slowing down critical codebase changes, resulting in inconsistent work quality and a longer time-to-market.
Poor Work-life Balance
The inability of team members to regularly interact with one another might result in a sense of isolation. This can have a detrimental effect on mental health, resulting in depression or poor turnover.
Points to Keep in Mind Once You’re in Charge of a Remote Development Team
If you are looking to use remote talents for your next software project, these best practices will help you make the most of your team.
Engage
As the manager of a remote team; keep everyone engaged and motivated. A good way is to check in regularly with each team member and provide feedback on their progress.
Motivate
Since remote team members are not physically present in the same office, find other ways to motivate them. Examples of how to motivate developers to include recognizing and rewarding good work, and providing opportunities for career development.
Control
When you’re managing a remote team, it’s important to establish guidelines for communication, collaboration, and privacy controls, and make sure everyone understands and follows them.
Level Up Skills
Level up your managerial skills by taking advantage of online courses and certifications that can help you connect well with your tech team and stay ahead of the curve.
5 Tips for Effective Management of Remote Programmers
Once you opt for remote engagement, adopt the right management skills and practices so that you can create a high-functioning, stable team.
These tips are a good place to start if you want to know how to manage remote developers effectively.
Be Clear about Your Expectations
When it comes to managing remote developer teams, clarity is key. You need to be explicitly clear about what you expect from your team. This way, you will ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Embrace Agile Methodology
When you adopt best practices for offshore agile teams, there is less room for error and tasks can be completed more efficiently. In this system, tasks are broken down into small, manageable pieces and delivered in quick sprints.
Plan Your Communication Strategy
Have a clear plan for communication with your remote development team. This plan should include what tools you will use for communication (e.g. Slack, Zoom, Email, etc.), as well as how often you come together to discuss OKR (objectives and key results), resolve bottlenecks, and provide feedback.
Make Use of the Right Technology and Tools
There are a variety of tools that can help in remote developers management. Be sure to choose the right ones and ensure that everyone knows how to use them.
NDAs and Contracts Are Essential
NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) and contracts are an essential part of remote work. These will protect your business and ensure that your intellectual property is safe.
Tools to Engage and Motivate Developers to Achieve Outstanding Results
There are a number of tools that can help make managing remote development teams a breeze. Some of the popular options are:
Slack
Slack is a great tool for keeping your team members connected and communicating. It’s perfect for sharing quick updates, asking questions, and even scheduling video calls. Plus, there are a number of helpful Slack integrations that can make your team’s life even easier.
Trello
Trello is a fantastic tool for project management. It’s perfect for organizing tasks, assigning deadlines, and tracking progress.
Git
Git is a widely used version control system for keeping your codebase organized and ensuring that everyone is working off of the most up-to-date version.
Jira
Jira is a popular tool for tracking bugs and feature requests. It’s great for helping you keep track of what needs to be fixed and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
Google Meet
Google Meet is a great tool for video conferencing. It’s perfect for team meetings, code reviews, and anything else you need to have a face-to-face about.
Newxel Experience in Managing Remote Development Teams: Best Practices and Experts’ Advice
If you are looking for how to make the most of your software development project, you are on the right page.
Newxel has a wealth of experience in creating remote teams and offshore R&D centers. We can help you hire a web development team and set it up to work in any Eastern European location of your choosing. Our experts can also help you manage remote programmers, ensuring
that they are productive and delivering the best results.
Our talent pool is dedicated, efficient, and stable. Here’s how we make sure:
- We hire only driven developers with a long-term outlook;
- Foster an open and comfortable working environment where teammates can express their concerns and ideas;
- Facilitate communication between the main team and offshore talent;
- Provide team members the opportunity to grow and learn.
You too can set up your remote team quickly, easily, and successfully, and enjoy the benefits of our years of experience.
Get in touch with Newxel today to set up a team in Ukraine and give your software project the best chance of success.
Conclusion
Remote software developers can be a great asset to your company, but you need to know how to manage them effectively. Hopefully, this article provided some tips on how to do just that.
Want to learn more or need help managing remote developers?
