The dedicated development team (DDT) model is a popular choice for businesses that need expert help with software development. Whether you’re a startup aiming to build your first MVP or a big company growing your tech tools, this approach is flexible, efficient, and saves money.
At Syndicode, we’re proud to offer dedicated development team services. Over the years, we’ve built a team of talented developers who are great at turning ideas into high-quality software. Our experience and careful planning ensure every project is a success.
If you’re not familiar with the dedicated development model, don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll explain what it is, which projects work best for it, and how you can hire a dedicated software development team from a trusted vendor.
What is a dedicated development team?
A dedicated software development team is a group of skilled professionals—developers, designers, testers, and sometimes project managers—who work exclusively on your software project. They can either support your in-house team or take full control of the project if you don’t have tech experts on your staff.
This model works well for businesses with long-term projects, those that need to grow quickly, or companies without the budget to hire a full in-house team.
The team is chosen based on your needs and works just like your own team would, but without the extra work of managing things like HR, taxes, or paperwork. Even though they are officially employed by another company, they follow your instructions and focus fully on your project during the contract.
The structure of a dedicated development team
A dedicated development team typically includes the key roles needed to successfully build and maintain your project. The exact structure depends on your requirements, but here’s who is often part of the team:
- Software developers: Frontend, backend, and full-stack specialists who write and maintain the code;
- UI/UX designers: Experts in creating user-friendly and visually appealing designs;
- Quality Assurance (QA) engineers: Professionals who test your software to ensure it works smoothly;
- Project manager: Ensures the team stays on track and communicates effectively with you;
- Business analyst: Helps align your business goals with technical solutions.
This structure is fully customizable. For example, if you’re building a simple app, you might only need to hire a dedicated developer and a designer.
For more complex projects, you can add roles like a DevOps engineer or data scientist. The dedicated team is tailored to meet your specific needs, ensuring maximum efficiency and value.
Benefits of hiring a dedicated development team
Hiring a dedicated development team offers numerous advantages for businesses looking to build or scale their software projects. It’s truly a game changer as it combines flexibility, cost savings, and expertise into one seamless solution.
Let’s dive into the key benefits:
1. Access to the best resources
When you hire a dedicated team, you gain access to top-tier talent specifically selected for your project. The team consists of experienced professionals who specialize in the skills you need.
You don’t have to settle for generalists or spend time searching for individual freelancers. Instead, you get a team of experts ready to hit the ground running.
This ensures the highest quality work, as each team member focuses on their area of expertise.
2. Scalable team to match your needs
Projects often evolve, and the resources required at the beginning might not be enough later. With the dedicated team model, you can easily scale up or down depending on your specific project needs.
Need more developers as your project grows? Or fewer resources after launch? Adjust the team size as needed without worrying about hiring or layoffs.
This scalability is especially helpful for startups and fast-growing businesses, as it allows you to manage costs while staying agile.
3. Self-sufficiency and expertise
A dedicated team operates as an independent unit. They manage the entire development process, from planning to deployment, so you don’t need to oversee every detail. Even if you have no technical expertise, the team includes project managers and analysts who bridge the gap between business and tech.
This self-sufficiency means you can focus on your core business activities while the team handles the technical aspects. At the same time, you’ll always have access to their progress, ensuring alignment with your goals.
4. Cost efficiency without compromise
Hiring and maintaining an in-house team can be expensive. You need to budget for salaries, benefits, office space, and training.
The dedicated team model eliminates these costs. The team members are employed by the service provider, meaning you only pay for the time and resources needed for your project.
Additionally, the global talent pool allows you to choose teams from regions with competitive rates, saving you even more. With this model, you get high-quality results without stretching your budget.
5. You’re always in control
One of the biggest misconceptions about hiring a dedicated team is losing control of your project. In reality, the opposite is true. Dedicated software developers work under your guidance, following your goals and priorities. You decide on the project’s direction, timelines, and deliverables.
With regular updates, direct communication, and tools for project management, you stay in the loop at every stage. This balance of autonomy and control ensures your vision is realized while freeing you from day-to-day micromanagement.
Build your dream team!
Don’t wait to take your business to the next level! Contact us today to discuss your project needs and learn how a dedicated team can help you achieve your goals.
Get in touchDedicated development team vs. Fixed-price model
A fixed-price model is best for projects with a clearly defined scope, timeline, and budget. You and the development provider agree on all details upfront, and the project follows a strict plan. While this model offers predictability, it can be less flexible if your requirements change during development.
In contrast, a dedicated development team offers adaptability and a long-term partnership. With DDT, you hire a team of professionals who focus solely on your project, giving you the flexibility to adjust goals, timelines, or priorities as the project evolves. This is ideal for complex or evolving projects where the scope is likely to change.
The main difference lies in control and collaboration. With DDT, you guide the team directly, making real-time decisions and ensuring the product aligns perfectly with your vision. Meanwhile, the fixed-price model requires less involvement but has limited room for adjustments once the project starts.
Both approaches serve specific needs, but the dedicated team model is the better choice for businesses seeking flexibility and close collaboration.
Dedicated development team vs. Time and Material model
While the dedicated software development team and time and material (T&M) models are both flexible approaches to software development, they serve different purposes and offer unique advantages.
A time and material model is well-suited for projects where the scope is uncertain or likely to change. You pay for the actual time spent and resources used, making it ideal for short-term projects or tasks that require specific expertise.
This model works well when you need flexibility but doesn’t require a consistent team throughout the project.
On the other hand, a dedicated development team provides a committed group of experts who work exclusively on your project for an extended period. The team becomes an extension of your company, offering deeper involvement and a stronger focus on your goals.
Thus, the main difference is team consistency. While T&M allows you to bring in resources as needed, DDT ensures you have a stable, long-term team that fully understands your project and business objectives.
This makes DDT the preferred choice for large-scale, evolving projects that need ongoing support and development.
When should you hire a dedicated development team?
A dedicated software development team is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s best suited for custom software development where flexibility, expertise, and long-term commitment are essential. Here are some common cases where this model shines:
Long-term projects with evolving requirements
If your project scope is likely to change over time, a dedicated team is ideal. Their flexibility allows you to adjust priorities, add new features, or pivot strategies without disrupting progress. This ensures your product evolves alongside your business needs, maintaining alignment with your goals.
Projects requiring specialized skills
Some projects demand expertise in specific technologies or domains. A dedicated team can provide experts with the exact skills you need, whether it’s advanced AI, blockchain, or custom integrations. By hiring a dedicated team, you gain access to specialists who deliver high-quality results without the hassle of recruiting them in-house.
Rapidly scaling startups
Startups often face the challenge of growing quickly while staying agile. The dedicated team model helps scale your operations by providing reliable, skilled professionals who integrate seamlessly with your business. They allow you to meet increasing demands without the delays and costs of building an in-house team.
When hiring a dedicated development team is not the best option
While outsourcing dedicated software development teams offers many advantages, it’s not always the right fit. Here are a few cases where hiring a dedicated team may not be the best choice:
One-off projects
If your project has a short timeline and no plans for future updates or iterations, a fixed-price model might be a better fit. This allows you to define the scope upfront and complete the work without committing to a long-term team, saving time and resources.
Sporadic development needs
For businesses that only require occasional development, like small updates or maintenance tasks, hiring a dedicated team may be excessive. In such cases, a time-and-materials model or working with freelancers can help you address your needs more cost-effectively.
Rigid-scope projects
When your project has a fixed budget, clear timeline, and unchanging requirements, a dedicated team’s flexibility may not be necessary. A fixed-price model ensures the project is delivered as planned, with minimal adjustments during development.
Choose the right team for your project
Whether you need a dedicated team for long-term growth or another approach for short-term tasks, Syndicode is here to help you make the best choice. Contact us today to discuss your project and discover how we can provide the expertise and flexibility you need to achieve your goals.
Let’s talk!Cost of hiring a dedicated development team
The cost of hiring a dedicated development team varies based on the team’s size, expertise, and location. However, it often proves more cost-effective than other models, especially for long-term projects.
With the dedicated team model, you save on recruitment, training, office infrastructure, and employee benefits. For example, startups that would otherwise spend months building an in-house team can launch their product faster with a DDT. Similarly, businesses can avoid high hourly rates associated with freelancers while still accessing top-tier talent.
Here’s a quick comparison of dedicated development team costs and those of other models:
| Aspect | Dedicated Team | In-house Team | Freelancers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiring/onboarding | Handled by the provider | Expensive & time-consuming | Low but inconsistent quality |
| Infrastructure costs | None | High (office, tools) | None |
| Expertise | Tailored & reliable | Requires internal training | Varies significantly |
| Flexibility | High (scalable) | Low | High |
| Overall cost | Medium | High | Medium-high |
For instance, a company that might spend $200,000 annually on an in-house team for a mid-sized project can achieve similar results with a dedicated team for about 30–50% less, all while avoiding overhead costs.
This makes DDT an efficient solution for businesses seeking high-quality results without breaking the budget.
Why choose Syndicode as your dedicated development team provider?
At Syndicode, we bring years of experience and a proven track record in delivering top-notch software solutions. With 25% of our projects based on the dedicated development team model, we’ve honed our approach to provide flexible, high-quality services tailored to our clients’ needs.
Our clients consistently rate us highly, with an impressive 4.8-star rating on Clutch, reflecting their satisfaction with our expertise, communication, and results.
Whether you’re looking for MVP development services or scaling a complex product, Syndicode’s skilled professionals are ready to turn your vision into reality.
Testimonial
We really enjoy working with them! The team demonstrates the ability to think outside the box and provide recommendations to further elevate the solution.
How to hire a dedicated development team at Syndicode?
Hiring a dedicated development team at Syndicode is simple and streamlined. We focus on understanding your needs, ensuring a perfect match of talent, and setting the stage for a successful partnership. Here’s a step-by-step guide to how it works:
Step 1: Introductory meeting
We start with a friendly introductory meeting to get to know you and your project. During this session, we collect general information about your goals, challenges, and timelines.
This helps us understand how our dedicated development company can support you. Whether your idea is fully fleshed out or just a concept, we’re here to help.
Step 2: Q&A session
Next, we dive deeper into the project details.
- If you have a defined scope, we’ll ask specific questions to refine the details and ensure alignment.
- If you’re unsure about the scope, our experts will guide you through brainstorming and planning to create a solid foundation.
For your peace of mind, we’re happy to sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) before discussing sensitive details.
Step 3: Proposal
Based on the Q&A session, we prepare a detailed proposal. This includes the project plan, team composition, estimated timelines, and costs. Our proposal is tailored to your needs, ensuring transparency and clarity from the start.
Step 4: Signing documents
Once you’re ready to move forward, we handle the formalities by signing a clear and straightforward contract. This document outlines all terms, ensuring both parties are on the same page and protected.
Step 5: Selecting talent
With the contract signed, we handpick the best talent for your project. Our team of skilled professionals is selected based on the technologies and expertise required for your success. You’ll have the final say in approving the team members.
Step 6: Kick-off
Finally, we hold a kick-off meeting to officially start the project. This is where we set expectations, outline the roadmap, and introduce the team. From here, your dedicated software developers get to work, fully focused on delivering results.
With Syndicode, hiring a dedicated development team is easy, efficient, and tailored to your success.
Let’s build something great together
A dedicated software development team is a powerful way to bring your projects to life. Whether you’re looking for flexibility, cost efficiency, or access to top talent, this model ensures your vision becomes reality. At Syndicode, we’ve helped countless businesses succeed with tailored, expert-driven solutions that deliver results.
With our proven experience, skilled professionals, and high client satisfaction rating, you can trust us to handle your project with care and expertise.
Ready to get started? Contact Syndicode today and let’s build something amazing together!
Frequently asked questions
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Why do you need a dedicated development team model?
A dedicated team provides focused expertise, flexibility, and cost savings. It’s ideal for long-term or evolving projects, offering a skilled group that works exclusively on your goals without the overhead of hiring an in-house team.
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What is a dedicated project team structure?
The dedicated team structure typically includes developers, designers, QA engineers, and project managers. It’s fully customizable based on your project’s needs, ensuring you get the right talent for the job.
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How to choose an international dedicated development team?
Look for providers with proven experience, client testimonials, and relevant expertise. Ensure they understand your goals and offer transparency in their process.
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How does a dedicated development team differ from an in-house team?
A dedicated IT team is employed by a provider but works under your guidance, without requiring you to handle hiring, training, or administrative tasks.
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Is a dedicated team the same as outsourcing or staff augmentation?
No. A dedicated team, even an offshore dedicated development team, works exclusively on your project, providing full-time commitment, unlike traditional outsourcing or temporary staff augmentation.
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How do I ensure smooth communication and collaboration with the team?
Use tools like Slack, Zoom, or Jira for regular updates, and schedule frequent meetings to stay aligned. A project manager ensures clear communication.
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How quickly can a dedicated team start working on my project?
Depending on your needs, a team of dedicated software developers can typically start within 2-4 weeks after project requirements are finalized.