Working with remote contract developers has grown in popularity over the past several years as a result of the development of digital technologies and the gig economy. However, managing remote employees isn’t always simple, especially when it comes to software development, which demands a lot of communication and collaboration.
We will offer some recommended practises for working with remote contract developers in this article. These procedures are based on both our own experience working with remote developers and the advice of professionals in the field.
Defining the Work's Purpose Clearly: The scope of the task must be precisely defined before beginning to work with remote contract developers. The goals, schedules, deliverables, and any other pertinent data are all included in here. To prevent future misunderstandings or miscommunications, it is crucial to be as detailed as you can when outlining the scope of work. Making a project brief or specification document is one method of achieving this. A thorough description of the project, including its business goals, functional specifications, technical needs, and other pertinent data, should be included in this document. To keep the project on schedule, you should also provide a timeline and milestones.
- Employ tools for collaboration : Collaboration success, especially when working with remote contract developers, depends on effective communication. To help with communication and teamwork, there are fortunately many instruments at our disposal. These resources include file-sharing websites, messaging apps, video conferencing applications, and project management software. You may track project milestones, assign tasks, and track progress with the use of project management tools like Asana or Trello. Real-time communication can be facilitated via messaging services like Slack or Microsoft Teams, enabling you to address any problems or worries right away. You can hold virtual meetings using technologies like Zoom or Google Meet, and you can share papers and files with your team using services like Dropbox or Google Drive.
- Create Clear Communication Channels: It is critical to establish clear communication channels when working with remote contract developers. This entails determining the best ways to communicate with one another and developing protocols for when and how communication should take place. You might want to set up a regular meeting schedule, such as a weekly or bi-weekly call. You should also set up protocols for responding to emails or messages, such as requiring a response within 24 hours. Whatever communication protocols you develop, make sure to clearly communicate them to your team.
- Build Trust: Working with remote contract developers requires trust. Remote teams, unlike in-person teams, lack the benefit of face-to-face interactions, which can make it more difficult to build trust. However, there are several methods for establishing trust with remote team members. Setting clear expectations from the start is one way to build trust. Make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to project goals, timelines, and expectations. You can also build trust by being responsive and communicative, as well as demonstrating that you value your team members’ contributions.
- Give precise feedback: Getting feedback is crucial for performance improvement, especially when dealing with distant contract developers. Giving comments to remote team members can be difficult, though, especially if you are unable to actively monitor their performance. You should put your attention on certain actions or results and refrain from making personal judgements in order to give clear feedback. Be explicit and detailed about what needs to be addressed and why when offering comments. Along with concrete examples of what you want, you should also offer advice on how to get better. Last but not least, make sure to check in with your team members to see if they’ve gotten your feedback and are moving forward.
- Track Progress: Monitoring progress is critical for keeping your project on track. Monitoring progress, on the other hand, can be difficult when working with remote contract developers. To effectively monitor progress, you should establish clear success metrics, such as milestones.