If the title of this blog has caught your attention, you likely find yourself at a crossroads — either you're an entrepreneur armed with capital and a groundbreaking idea, ready to materialize it, or you're an independent engineer with the aspiration to bring your project to fruition, but the perfect moment has eluded you. As a staff augmentation company, we've navigated through diverse team structures, witnessed various project stages, and gained insights into the pros and cons of managing projects with small teams. This note aims to provide clarity and guidance on whether a solo engineering project aligns with your goals.
Complexity:
The ability to construct a project with a single engineer hinges on the innovativeness of the idea and the intricacy of the backend. If your aim is to construct a website with functionality akin to existing products, chances are a solo web developer can handle the task adeptly. However, it's worth reconsidering reliance on a single resource if:
A. You're envisioning an app: Mobile engineers often specialize in either iOS or Android development. Even those proficient in both may require a significant amount of time before publishing a prototype on both platforms. Expanding your team enables multiple individuals to tackle all platforms simultaneously, ultimately saving valuable development time.
B. Your concept lacks competitors in the market: Having an idea that has never been brought to life before is exhilarating, but it also means your engineer will need to devise algorithms from scratch. Without external reference points, they might benefit from having someone else to bounce ideas off of, making a collaborative team essential.
Timing:
Another critical factor to consider is time. If you have the luxury of time to slowly and steadily build your project, working with one engineer might be an effective strategy to control costs. However, reconsider this approach if:
A. You have funds but are pressed for time: If there's a tight deadline to publish your project, relying on a single engineer becomes a significant hurdle. Regardless of their dedication, one person can't match the progress of a well-structured team, where individuals can leverage each other's strengths to make faster progress.
B. Your stakes are high: While we often don't anticipate things going awry, they can and will at any moment. Relying on a single developer becomes a potential point of failure if they encounter personal issues that render them incapable of working for any period. Having multiple team members ensures you have a backup, allowing you to continue making progress even if unforeseen issues arise.
Luck:
The ultimate truth about working with solo developers is that you're essentially betting on lower odds. While you might be fortunate enough to find an engineer proficient in backend, frontend, testing, design, and algorithm building, the reality is that development teams exist for a reason. Skills are just one facet of the equation; working as a team ensures accountability, visibility, commitment, and mutual support during challenging times.
If the prospect of building a team seems like a substantial investment, there are alternative avenues to explore. Platforms like Upwork offer freelancers who can provide contingent support. Moreover, nearshoring agencies, such as Oceans Code Experts, can offer the structure, support, and talent you need to invest intelligently and make progress in your project with a dedicated team by your side.
