The Scaleup’s Quick Guide to Choosing the Right Remote Team Model

Scaling your business requires the right talent, but finding and managing that talent can be a challenge.

This guide breaks down the most effective remote team models for scaleups, helping you choose the best fit for your needs.

Whether you need flexibility, specialized skills, or long-term growth, we’ve got you covered.

Project-Based Engagement

Project-based engagement involves hiring for specific projects with defined deliverables and timelines.

This model is typically short to medium-term and offers several advantages:

• Clear objectives and deliverables.
• Cost-effective for specific needs.
• Flexibility in scaling up or down based on project requirements.

However, it requires precise project scoping and management and may involve ramp-up time to onboard augmented staff.

At 10Clouds, we have delivered over 100 projects using this model, predominantly for clients in the US and Western Europe.

See our portfolio of projects: https://10clouds.com/case-studies/

Skill-Based Engagement of Remote/Offshore Teams

Skill-based engagement involves hiring based on specific skills or expertise needed within the company.

This model can vary from short-term to long-term and offers several advantages:

• Access to specialized skills not available in-house.
• Can fill immediate skill gaps.
• Flexibility to hire experts for critical phases.
• Cost savings through leveraging global talent.
• Access to a broader talent pool.

However, it may involve integration challenges, dependency on external expertise, time zone differences, and the need for effective remote team management tools and practices.

One illustrative example of skill-based engagement is our collaboration with Skedulo, a platform for managing a mobile workforce and scheduling their work throughout the day.

Over the past 1.5 years, 10Clouds has provided staff augmentation services for Skedulo, growing the team from 1 to 8 React developers, 1 mobile developer, and designers.

Skedulo entrusted larger bodies of work to our team, including new features and quick prototypes to validate various ideas swiftly. The team worked autonomously under the supervision of a PM on 10Clouds’ end.

Temporary to Permanent (Temp-to-Perm) Engagement

Temp-to-perm engagement involves an initial temporary engagement with the potential to convert to a permanent position.

This model is typically short-term leading to long-term and offers several advantages:

• Allows evaluation of fit and performance before permanent hire.
• Reduces the risk of hiring mistakes.

However, it requires clear communication of the potential for a permanent role and a critical assessment of integration and culture fit.

On-Demand Talent Pools

On-demand talent pools involve building a pool of pre-vetted freelancers or contractors available on-demand.

This model offers high flexibility and quick access to talent, reducing the time in recruiting and onboarding.

However, it requires efficient management of the talent pool and may involve variability in the availability and quality of freelancers.

Managed Services

Managed services involve outsourcing entire functions or departments to a third-party provider.

This model is typically long-term and offers several advantages:

• Focus on core business activities.
• Access to established processes and expertise.

However, it involves less control over daily operations and requires a strong partnership and communication with the provider. An example of this model is TrustStamp.

One example of this model is TrustStamp, a computer vision and biometric startup that provides identity and trust as a service.

10Clouds has been providing staff augmentation services for TrustStamp for over 5 years, including Python developers specialized in machine learning and data processing.

The collaboration has extended beyond mere staff augmentation, with 10Clouds' engineers playing an integral role in TrustStamp's research and development projects. This partnership has allowed TrustStamp to leverage 10Clouds' expertise in biometric authentication systems and machine learning algorithms, resulting in innovative solutions for identity verification and trust services.

Dedicated Teams

Dedicated teams involve engaging a team of professionals dedicated to working exclusively on the company’s projects.

This model is typically medium to long-term and offers several advantages:

• Cohesive team with a deep understanding of the company’s needs.
• Better collaboration and integration.

However, it involves higher costs compared to ad-hoc engagements and requires long-term planning and resource management.

Orange has successfully used this model to enhance their technology and service offerings.

By working with external partners, they formed specialized teams that integrated smoothly with their existing operations. These teams helped Orange quickly scale up in areas like cybersecurity, IoT, and remote work solutions, especially during the shift to teleworking.

This approach allowed Orange to stay flexible, improve collaboration, and maintain control over important projects, ensuring they could meet evolving customer needs effectively​

Dedicated Development Center (DDC)

A dedicated development center involves establishing an entire development center, typically offshore or nearshore, that works exclusively for the company.

This model is typically long-term and offers several advantages:

• Full control over the development process.
• Tailored infrastructure and team composition.
• Potential cost savings through lower operational costs.

However, it involves significant initial setup and management effort, ongoing investment in infrastructure and talent management, and potential challenges with distance and communication if located offshore.

Microsoft is a great example of a company that successfully uses Dedicated Development Centers (DDCs). They’ve established several of these centers in places like India, where teams work exclusively on long-term software development and support projects. By setting up these centers, Microsoft can access a large pool of talented developers, lower their operational costs, and keep tight control over their development processes. This setup also helps Microsoft innovate continuously while managing expenses.

Similarly, companies like IBM and Oracle have established DDCs in regions such as Eastern Europe and Asia. These centers help them increase efficiency, ensure high data security, and reduce costs, all while allowing them to focus on long-term development goals.

These examples show how DDCs can be a powerful strategy for global companies looking to balance cost, control, and innovation

Hybrid Models

Hybrid models involve a combination of in-house staff and augmented staff, often blending different engagement models.

This model is customizable based on company needs and offers several advantages:

• Tailored approach to meet dynamic requirements.
• Balances flexibility and control.

However, it involves complex management and coordination and requires robust communication and project management practices.

Each model provides distinct advantages and can be customized to match your startup or scaleup’s unique needs and growth phase. The right choice depends on your urgency, budget, desired control, and long-term goals.

Have questions? Let’s connect on LinkedIn—I’m here to help.