Last Updated on October 30, 2024 by Owen McGab Enaohwo
At any given point during a business’ journey, one may be faced with the necessity of getting a software application made. This particular software may or may not be one of the integral parts of a business, but regardless, it must be precisely what the client needs it to be for operations to run smoothly.
Image Credit: ScienceSoft
That particular business becomes dependent on someone to make that software application. This is where a software team comes in. They’re a group of individuals who will follow the instructions, working together as a team to complete the project. Software teams often work remotely, which is likely to add to productivity, especially regarding software development.
Each individual will have their own thing to do and a set of roles, rules, and responsibilities. Not every project requires every single role, so the team structure depends on the project’s needs.
Business Analyst
A business analyst or business process consultant is a researcher who analyses data to ensure that business goals are met efficiently. Suitable software applications aren’t just bugless but also profitable, which is where business analysts come in. Depending on the objectives put forth by a client, business analysts suggest how these aims can be achieved.
Rather than just providing data on a sheet, these professionals also provide technical and practical solutions. Business analysts ensure efficiency for not just the client but also the users by ensuring the software development team properly comprehends the client’s needs. They help bridge communication gaps between engineers (IT) and the client (business).
Chief Technical Officer
A chief technical officer (CTO) is mainly responsible for the technical facets of software development. They are highly experienced individuals who are often termed the tech leader of not only the software team but also often for the entire company, and for a good reason. They guide IT teams regarding the scalability, practicality, and economic feasibility of any technical decisions that need to be made, including software development.
CTOs suggest better alternatives and solutions as you develop, increasing software efficiency. Another role you may hire a CTO for is team recruitment if and when you are unsure about team members. They can help you decide which roles you need and which members will be a good fit.
Software Architect
Perhaps one of the most critical roles in a software team, a software architect is a development expert. These individuals are often required not just to know but be fluent in many coding languages and be up-to-date with new technology. They are responsible for deciding the tools the team will use, which platform will be used for development, and for selecting a tech stack for the project.
Software architects must ensure that the product they are developing is under the industry benchmarks. They are responsible for guiding the team, making sure everyone’s on schedule, and sometimes may even be in communication with the client to ensure that the software meets their needs.
Project Manager
Every dedicated team needs a project manager. Their title is self-explanatory; they manage and lead the team with expertise and oversee the progress thanks to a BPM software tool. They ensure that the project follows client guidelines and that needs are understood.
They also help the team stay within the budget and scope of the project and on time with the delivery. To ensure smooth communication, project managers may conduct meetings with the team and the client.
UI/UX Designers
As the name suggests, these designers produce a visual outcome of the user interface. They are responsible for what the software will look and feel like and how it will come across to the end-user. UI/UX designers for SaaS may sometimes have a rough sketch to follow if the client provides it, and others may just have written instructions.
UI designers provide a visible prototype, including graphics, themes, layouts, and color palettes. On the other hand, a UX designer dictates how these elements above will interact and must ensure that this interaction is smooth and feels easy to use.
Developers
Once the UI/UX designers create a template, developers bring it to life. Depending on the complexity of the project and product, the number of developers working on the software will differ. Most teams have different front-end and back-end developers instead of full-stack ones.
Front-end developers are responsible for the part of the software that faces the user, while back-end developers are responsible for what goes on in the background. Together, the two combine logic and functionality to create software.
Quality Assurance Engineers
After the software is completed, the final thing to do is test-run it for bugs and other possible issues. This is done by QA engineers and testers, who look for possible errors. They go through every little feature and check whether it is working correctly or not. If and when any bugs are found, they are noted and communicated back to the developers, who fix said bugs. Then, QA engineers re-test the software.
In Conclusion…
Some customers might need to hire a complete team comprising a member for each project phase. Others might only need specific roles to complete an existing development team. Regardless, every team member, whether internal or external, works in unison to bring the project to fruition. Not every project requires every role, and thus the dedicated team structure depends mainly on the client’s and their project’s requirements.
Author Bio
Sasha Reeves is an experienced writer at GoodCore Software, a leading software development company in the UK. When they’re not writing about anything tech, Sasha spends their time watching dog videos and listening to terribly tasteless pop music with their lazy cats, Bloo and Miss Poppy.