Building a successful software development team in 2023 — what you need to know

In 2020, disruption ruled the day. Some businesses thrived in the 'new normal', while others fell behind. Swiftly adapting to a remote-first environment, companies underwent years of digital transformation in mere weeks, driving up cloud server demand.****

Through it all, software developers emerged as digital-first responders, crucial to business survival. Now, as the world looks to recover, organisations seek resilient software development teams to reflect on the past and build a software-driven future.

Building a winning software development team in a high-demand market

Digital transformation goes beyond upgrading technology. It's about building a thriving software development team that delivers value. But finding skilled engineers is tough, with 61% of HR professionals struggling to find qualified developers in 2021. The talent shortage in the West is severe, with the UK losing £63 billion annually due to 600,000 unfilled digital tech positions. US employers are also struggling to find skilled workers, with 69% affected. To stay afloat, businesses must seek talent beyond local borders.

What’s the alternative?

Fierce competition and talent shortages make building a top-tier development team a challenge. But offshoring to emerging tech nations like India can be a game-changer. With over 1.5 million engineers produced annually, India offers access to a vast talent pool and significant cost savings. This allows businesses to scale quickly without restrictions.

Check out our new ebook for an in-depth guide on offshoring - from how it works to find the right partner.

The importance of digital skills when building a successful software development team in 2023

The future of work is tech-driven, with at least 150 million tech jobs predicted in the next five years.

However, according to Gartner, 70% of the global workforce lacks essential skills for their roles. To keep up, over 20% of hiring professionals seek different skills today than before the pandemic. And even non-tech professionals must learn in-demand tech skills to future-proof their jobs. Upskilling is a 'must-have' for all organisations. To sustain a successful development team, leaders must make tech learning accessible and encourage participation in training programs.

The role of workplace culture in software development success

Your company culture heavily influences your company's success and your employees' satisfaction.

While culture may seem abstract, it's simply how your organisation operates, reflecting your leadership style and work environment. Don't mistake culture for perks like free lunch or yoga coupons. Unhealthy company culture can hinder an engineer's learning and growth, making building a successful software development team difficult.

As a leader, asking yourself some important questions to evaluate and improve your company culture is important. Here are some questions to keep in mind:

• Is inclusivity a core value of your organisation?
• Do you regularly engage with your software development teams to understand their needs and concerns?
• Do you have a system in place to appreciate and recognise the efforts of your employees?
• Are your engineers encouraged to take the initiative and make decisions without explicit instructions?
• Can you define the overall behaviour and attitudes of the people in your business, and do they align with your company culture and values?

The answers to these questions will help you introspect about your organisation’s culture, allowing you to make changes wherever needed.

Summing up

Building a thriving software development team involves:

• Hiring the right talent.
• Providing them with the necessary resources to excel.
• Creating a conducive work environment for them.

At The Scalers, we specialise in doing just that. Whether you're looking to build a top-performing team in India or want to augment your existing team, we can help. Get in touch with us by filling out the contact form, and one of our senior executives will be happy to assist you!