At GearedApp, we don’t just build software – we join forces with our clients’ in-house teams to create tight-knit partnerships and seamless workflows. In this blog series, we’ll shed light on what it really means to work with an extended team, exploring the benefits of this approach, plus how to determine whether it’s the right fit for your business.
So far in this blog series, we’ve explored what an extended team is and why we believe in this approach.
Now, let’s take a step back and focus on what businesses need to consider when deciding if this model is the right fit. Choosing an extended team isn’t just about outsourcing work, it’s about building a partnership that aligns with your specific goals and ways of working.
To help you make an informed decision, here are four essential factors to consider before working with an extended team:
Your project’s scope and complexity
If your project requires specialised expertise – for example with building a front-end interface or transitioning from paper-based to digital processes – an extended team can fill those crucial skill gaps.
This model works especially well for projects that evolve over time, or where requirements may be subject to change. Unlike traditional outsourcing, which often involves rigid contracts and predefined deliverables, an extended team allows you to shift gears along the way.
Your preferred level of involvement
One of the biggest benefits of an extended team is maintaining a hands-on role in the development process. So, if you prefer delivering projects with frequent check-ins and direct involvement in decision-making, this approach may be best suited to your expectations.
We generally recommend staying involved wherever possible. Close collaboration leads to better results, and having your input throughout the process helps ensure the final product truly meets your expectations.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more hands-off approach (where an external agency takes full ownership of a project from start to finish), then traditional outsourcing might be more suitable.
Your budget
Building an in-house development team is a significant investment, not just in terms of salaries, but also recruitment, training and long-term overheads. On top of that, there’s the time it takes for a new team to settle in – figuring out who’s best suited to what and getting processes running smoothly. In many cases, this simply isn’t practical or cost-effective.
An extended team can provide a flexible, scalable alternative, allowing you to allocate resources efficiently without sacrificing quality.
Your company culture
Whether your team is well-versed in agile practices or just starting to explore them, working with an extended team can help strengthen your internal processes. At GearedApp, we see our clients as the experts in their domain and focus on offering the guidance and support needed to deliver meaningful results.
Even so, if your team already works in an agile way, it gives us a head start, meaning we can hit the ground running and focus on driving impactful results from day one.
Let’s talk about your development needs
Got a project in mind that could benefit from an extended development team?
Be sure to drop us a line and we can arrange an informal chat to go through what you’re looking for, and how we might be able to help.