4 aspects of building a freelance team

What processes in the field of web development are easier to outsource?

Vyacheslav Terichev ( polosaty ):
In my case, almost everything is outsourced: layout, programming,
design, content. Our studio is virtual - without office and staff. It is better
all, in my opinion, to give layout, design. After all, the work of a designer or coder
is episodic (for example, the creation of a common concept design site
and technical design). To have a good designer on staff,
I need to give away $ 2500 per month (excluding taxes). Same designer
I can get for $ 400-600 as a freelancer. With the coder is even easier -
it has a clear scope of work, minimal documentation at the start.

Natalia Chanysheva ( Noch ):
It's easiest for me to give layout and, in part, programming (its draft
option). Themselves to carry out the design, verification code, design. Give away
on outsourcing design I would never, because the correct technical
task (TZ) - is 80% of the work.

Alexander Novoseltsev ( Googenot ):
In principle, almost any graphic design can be outsourced.
works - flash, web, graphic design, illustration, logo creation. BUT
also text translations, layout, server administration, etc. Administration
has one feature - the freelancer gets access to the "holy of holies",
therefore, this work is usually trusted to already proven freelancers.

Vyacheslav Terichev ( polosaty ): The main risk is a freelancer
may suddenly evaporate. Solved safety doublers. Further, the risk of absence
mutual understanding. This risk is reduced by the subjective assessment of “adequacy” by
preliminary negotiations. If you speak different languages ​​initially,
it is unlikely you will find mutual understanding in consequence.

Alexander Novoseltsev ( Googenot ): It happens, applicants
To work slip the "left" portfolio. As a rule, the style can be
to distinguish between stolen works or not. Often met programmers, without understanding
principle of "work on the result." Those. you are not paid to work,
but for the result! You can work 1 hour from the allotted 10 days, but if you
in an hour you will do everything that is asked of you, which means that you will receive money.

Vyacheslav Terichev ( polosaty ): Professional
I define quality based on the portfolio and communication with the person. Well, personal ...
Only a real project. When I offer a job to a new person, I prepare
safety option in case of problems. In principle, a person can be seen on the first
experience. All the flaws, one way or another, can be traced.

Natalia Chanysheva ( Noch ): I took to the remote
work (specialists from other cities) only 2 people - copywriters.
I called them at my own expense and in the initial stages of the project I often spoke by phone.
I really trust myself and my intuition - if it’s unpleasant for me to be with a person
talking over a cup of coffee is likely to be difficult for us to work with.

Alexander Novoseltsev ( Googenot ): Often arose
the task is to assess the qualifications of the programmer. If the freelancer is unfamiliar,
sometimes we came up with small test tasks. Another option is to test.
the specialist is already on the project, having a backup option “for every fireman”.
For example, we managed to agree with a regular customer to start with a simple project,
complicating the work gradually. As a result, the necessary programmers were themselves, not
necessary - dropped out.

Vyacheslav Terichev ( polosaty ):

• Lack of a backup option. Working with freelancers,
  even with the most reliable ones (for example, I have a programmer with whom I work
  7 years) you must necessarily have an alternative specialist. To be
  ready for a situation where the performer simply disappears. No matter what happens, it will fall.
  Internet provider, fall in love, go into the lead, sick ... For each member
  teams you must have a safety option.
• Lack of planning. Need to make a schedule
  and keep up to date with all project participants. Remember that man, for sure
  works not only for you.
• Lack of full project documentation. Here
  everything is simple: to get exactly what you want, you need as clear as possible
  to describe.
• Need to negotiate on the shore. Disclaim all conditions
  cooperation and the amount of work needed at the start, so that later there would be no mutual
  insults. If you can not accurately determine the amount of work, it is better to negotiate this
  at the start.
• Require reporting. It's simple: did - write it down.
  Better initially stipulate the form of communication. For example, I prefer
  task setting and reporting by mail. In ICQ - the only solution
  operational issues.

Natalia Chanysheva ( Noch ): I showed weakness
that she did not part with people as soon as she understood that we would not work together.
The result was even worse for the project.

Alexander Novoseltsev ( Googenot ): The main problem
with which we faced - this is delaying the project. Showed
sentimentality: pity the programmer or designer, succumbed to his persuasion - to
he will finish that number, and everything will be fine. As a rule, the work remained
unfinished on time and we waited for more. Either they got what they wanted, but with errors.
In general, if you are beginning to do the same with you - delay the project, then
better get rid of such workers, and start working with new people. Beginning
with simple projects to check out a specialist.

Vyacheslav Terichev ( polosaty ): In the case of programmers
and maker-ups the difference often reaches 50-100%. With designers everything is different:
Moscow often manages to negotiate amounts lower than regional averages.

Natalia Chanysheva ( Noch ): I consider the principle of economy
on the regions vicious. Work costs as much as it costs. I and in Omsk
did not take up the article for less than $ 10 1,000 characters. At that moment
This was the average Moscow price. And when I worked with copywriters from other
cities, basically paid them as much as Moscow. In addition to evaluation
Professionalism is also a very correct emotional move. Stop you
in absentia and constantly be offended that "you are in Moscow for sure you overpay for your own,
and save us. ” Yes, there is always a risk that they will sit on your neck. But it is a risk
within the limits of one order - it is not lethal. You just need to be able to part hard.

Interviewed by Yuri Vilnid ( vilnid ). The author thanks Natalia
Chanyshev ( Noch ) for reading the text.