This document discusses how to smoothly onboard and integrate an external development team. It recommends clearly defining goals, responsibilities, communication protocols, and key performance indicators upfront. Choosing the right partner is important - they should have relevant experience and expertise to fill your needs. With the right preparation and ongoing engagement, an external team can help businesses access specialized skills, reduce costs, scale operations, and accelerate product delivery.

1. Accelerating Product Delivery:
How to Smoothly Onboard and
Integrate an External Team
Prepared by Oksana Shperling
05/11/2023

2. OKSANA SHPERLING
Project Manager, Velvetech, LLC
• 5+ years of experience in managing projects with
in-house and external development teams engaged
• Successfully managed multi-module product
releases delivered by these teams
About the Speaker

3. Accelerating
Software Product
Delivery

4. COMMONLY OUTSOURCED STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES
Source: 99Firms.com
Global Trends in Software Product Development

5. Global Trends in Software Product Development
Source: Clutch.co
MOST COMMONLY OUTSOURCED BUSINESS PROCESSES

6. Source: IDC, 2022
DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND
INNOVATIONS LEAD TO COMPETITIVE MARKET
Worldwide IT Industry Predictions

7. Global Trend on Collaborations Across Industries
Source: HBR.ORG

8. Ø Communication problems
Ø Cultural and work style differences
Ø Insufficient quality control
Ø Intellectual property pitfalls
Ø Project management issues
Ø Lack of trust
Common Challenges

9. ü Access to specialized skills and expertise
ü Cost savings
ü Scalability
ü Increased efficiency
ü Risk management
ü Improved quality
ü Faster time-to-market
WHAT YOU GET
Engaging an External Team: Benefits

10. LACK OF IN-HOUSE EXPERTISE LIMITED RESOURCE
Signs You Need to Engage an External Team
TIME CONSTRAINTS BUDGET CONSTRAINTS

11. • Data entry and processing
• Product development and data services
• Web design and development
• Customer service
• Digital marketing
• Human Resources
• Accounting
Examples: Startups
GOAL: QUICKER MVP DELIVERY TO A MARKET

12. • Reduce and control costs of operation
• Improve the company's focus
• Unleash internal resources for innovation
• Boost efficiency in resource-intensive
functions
• Maximize use of external resources
Examples: Mature Business
GOAL: SCALE OPERATIONS WHILE MAINTAING
THE EXISTING SOLUTION

13. • Fill skills gap
• Access specialized knowledge
• Increase efficiency and productivity
• Reduce costs
• Focus on core activities
• Improve quality and reliability
• Enhance scalability and flexibility
Examples: Business With a Gap in Technical Skills
GOAL: FILL THIS GAP WITH AN EXTERNAL TEAM

14. Engaging
an External Team

15. • Domain experience
• Technology experience
• Process improvements
• Management experience
• Full development cycle
• In-house team extension
Partner Selection: Define the Goal
FOCUS ON YOUR NEEDS

16. Partner Selection: Check the Proficiency Level
CONFIRM RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND
REFERENCES
CLARIFY SERVICE PACKAGE IN SELECTION
PROCESS
EVALUATE PROACTIVITY AND
COLLABORATION OF EXTERNAL TEAM
CHECK WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
ACTIVITY

17. How to Smoothly
Integrate & Onboard
an External Team

18. Ø Agree on the service level and expected team
engagement
Ø Set clear expectations as to what you expect
the team to accomplish
Essentials for Successful Partnership
GOALS FIRST

19. • Roles and responsibilities
• Communication channels
• Frequency of communication
• Time zones
• Escalation process
• Tools and technology
• Documentation and reporting
COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL
Essentials for Successful Partnership

20. ON-TIME DELIVERY QUALITY OF WORK PRODUCTIVITY
Essentials for Successful Partnership: KPIs
COMMUNICATION COST-EFFECTIVENESS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

21. Success Stories

22. Widely Known Brands

23. CLIENT:
Supervest bridges the gap between accredited
investors, MCA funding companies, and merchants
in need of capital by providing an easy-to-use,
secure, and transparent platform for alternative
investment management.
PROJECT:
Velvetech builds a SaaS platform to advance
alternative investment management and help
connect accredited investors with U.S. merchants
in need of loans
Learn More:
https://www.velvetech.com/case-studies/investment-management-platform-development/
The Case: Investment Management Platform

24. CLIENT:
The Client is an online marketplace that
streamlines the search, selection, and reservation
of long-term care facilities. Their platform allows
both customers and long-term care providers to
manage the booking process and ensure a
seamless journey from inquiry to move-in.
PROJECT:
Velvetech helps create a one-stop marketplace to
book long-term care residences for seniors
Learn More:
https://www.velvetech.com/case-studies/long-term-care-booking-system-development/
The Case: Long-Term Care Booking Platform

25. TED DEVINE
CEO, Insureon
“We had to have a software development partner,
largely because we did not have all the capabilities
internally. But as we picked that, we had to have
somebody that could work at our pace and our speed…
in true partnership.
And that is where Velvetech came in. They have been
amazing in enhancing our team every step of the way,
adding capability. And they really do feel like a part
of Insureon.”
The Case: 8+ Years of Partnership

26. Wrapping Up

27. COMMON GOAL AND FULL ENGAGEMENT OF BOTH TEAMS.
GOAL-DRIVEN APPROACH IS MISSION-CRITICAL
RESPONSIBILITY IS SHARED BUT NOT MIXED
SUCCESS IS ABOUT BEING ORGANIZED, EXPERT, AND CARING
Recap
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28. TO CHOOSING A TRUSTED SOFTWARE
DEVELOPMENT PARTNER
Learn More…
CHECK OUR FREE GUIDE

29. Thank You!
+1 (847) 559-0864
sales@velvetech.com
www.velvetech.com
601 Skokie Blvd.,
Suite105,
Northbrook, IL 60062