In the IT world, projects revolve around two essential things: speed and flexibility. When you need to build a top-notch team that can handle anything you throw at it, an agile approach is one way to get you there. And when you throw in enough quality freelance IT specialists, you get a combination that can work wonders.
Of course, an agile approach isn’t the only way to manage products, but it’s very popular and has proven to be successful in many forms thanks to its flexibility and speed of adapting to changes. Even though it may not be suitable for every project, it is often the perfect choice when working with freelance IT specialists. A good IT recruitment agency can help you with this from the start.
Why agile?
Agile methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban are an absolute must-have in the IT world today. They ensure quick reactions to changes, transparent communication and effective work. And what’s more, when you work with freelance IT specialists, their flexible working style naturally fits into an agile approach. So before you dive into the selection of people, check whether your project calls for agility and consider this when you set up the collaboration.
Set clear goals for the project
No hero sets out on a quest without a map. Before you start looking for people, you need to be very clear about what your project needs. What technologies are essential? Which roles are necessary? And how much time do you have? Answer these questions so you know how many and what kind of freelance IT specialists you will need. Are you looking for Java developers, DevOps specialists or testers? Each role requires a different approach.
Choosing the right kind of heroes
Now it’s time for the main step. You need to find freelance IT specialists who can not only do their job, but also fit into your agile team. Technical skills are an important foundation, but even soft skills can be considered ‘mandatory equipment’ today. A good freelance IT specialist must be able to communicate, adapt to changes and respond quickly to new requirements. Give them a chance to show you their code and the way they think.
When you interview them, ask about their experience with agile teams. Do they have experience with agility? Do they know how stand-ups, sprints and retrospectives work? If not, are they willing to learn it fast?
Establishing rules and expectations
Sure, agile teams are flexible, but even flexibility needs rules. What will the sprints look like? How often will you meet? Is remote enough, or will on-site be necessary? And what are the responsibilities of each member of the team? Make sure you have clear communication, e.g. through tools like Slack, Jira or Trello. Regular contact is the key to success, but without unnecessary micromanagement.
Tip: If you work with people from different time zones, set fixed times for key meetings so that everyone can participate. And don’t forget regular retrospectives where you can evaluate what worked and what didn’t.
Integration and continuous improvement
Even the more reserved individuals who aren’t big on communication need to be a full part of the team. Be transparent, have a plan and involve your people in all stages of the project in communication. Team chemistry is important, even when you work together remotely.
And agility is not a one-off thing; we’re constantly learning, improving and adapting. The same goes for your team. Use retrospectives to see what you can improve. Freelance IT specialists are great at bringing in their experience from other projects, and they often have an outside perspective that can be invaluable. Take advantage of this!
Long-term relationships
Successful collaboration with a freelancer does not have to end with the handover of the project. Stay in touch and build long-term relationships. If they prove useful, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t call them again for another project and save on further hiring and onboarding costs. These people can simply become a permanent part of your external ‘superpower’.
Freelancers IT specialists from TITANS are not just hired experts — they are heroes who will work with you to make your IT projects successful. We are here to help you choose the right ones and build a team that works. Contact us; we have 31,000+ experts in our database and we can start with the selection today.
