A Guide for Managing Remote Developers
Remote working is fast becoming the norm for many businesses, and while this certainly has its challenges, it also opens up a world of opportunities in terms of recruitment. Businesses are no longer constrained by geography in terms of hiring the very best talent for the job, and for companies who rely on software developers, this is a fantastic change. Developers are in short supply and can command the highest salaries because of this, and it is useful to be able to consider recruits from all over the globe. The role of a developer is well suited to remote work, but that does not mean that they do not need to be managed as you would manage any other employee.
This guide highlights some key tips to keep in mind if you are considering working with a remote developer for your next project.
Hire with Caution
It is essential that you hire the right person for the project, not only in terms of their skills and experience but also their style of working and ethics. Find out what they enjoy about development, what they would prioritize when working on a project, and how they prefer to communicate with other team members. The better suited they are to your existing team, the less you will have to stay on top of their every move.
Prioritize Communication
Managing remote workers requires a high level of communication, so be sure to invest in a platform that enables your whole team to stay in touch no matter where they are. Your remote developer needs to have good written and verbal communication skills, especially when it comes to dealing with complex coding or concepts that need to be translated. Can they take a complicated idea and break it down for other team members? Do they listen to instructions and other people’s ideas, and do they take feedback well? Some communication is likely to take place via video conferencing and email, but most of it should take place on a collaborative task management and messaging platform. Visit mattermost.com to find out more about their collaboration tool for developers.
Encourage Transparency
Trust, honesty, and transparency are vital to the success of any team, but it becomes even more important when some or all team members are working remotely. Every developer needs to understand exactly what is expected of them and when tasks need to be completed by. Encourage the team to speak up if they are having difficulties or their element of the project is likely to be late. If you are communicating news or updates to your in-office team verbally, make sure your remote workers are kept up to date and/or included via video conferencing.
Define Roles and Responsibilities Clearly
Your remote workers should have their roles and responsibilities clearly defined from day one, including goals and targets to reach at different stages of the project. This gives them clarity and enables you to track the progress of their work. If they are working with you on a particular project and are not a contracted employee, it is still best practice to confirm what is expected of them in a written contract. The contract should also specify time frames, i.e., how many hours the project should take and how much they will be paid for those hours.
