How to Build a Mobile App Development Team: Structure, Roles, and Hiring Tips

Building a development team can end badly if you don't understand the role of each team member and their area of responsibility. This is an important aspect of creating any product and you should keep this in mind.

How to properly form a development team structure and what aspects of this process you need to pay attention to: we will tell in this article.

Read also: What Is Backend in Mobile App Development and How to Create a Custom One

Why Is It Important to Have the Right Development Team Structure?

Any product begins with a team that invents and implements it. Understanding the business goals, an understanding of the functionality and tools for implementation is layered, this is how a team is formed. Thus, the team structure should clearly reflect all the key factors associated with your project, in particular the type and complexity.

You also need to understand the scope of the project: prototype, MVP, full project. This will also affect the size of the team that will be brought on board. You can also consult with an outsourcing company that has relevant projects, experience and knowledge will help you decide.

Effective Mobile App Development Team Structure

As we have already said, depending on the type of project, the composition of the team can change, and therefore the budget of the project. Consider a few basic examples of projects that clients come for for proper mobile app project management.

Discovery or Proof of Concept

The team consists of up to 5 specialists: PM, software (on the client side), software architect, business analyst, UX / UI designer.

MVP

6+ specialists: software, PM, business analyst, UX/UI designer, software engineers, QA.

Product development

from 9 specialists: software, PM, business analyst, UX / UI designer, software engineers, automated QA, DevOps and security engineers.

Thus, the key roles in the mobile application development process can change depending on what resources you have and what the goals of the project are.

Team Size for Successful Agile Mobile Development

According to the Scrum team composition, a classic development team should consist of less than 9 people. The ideal team for a corporate client is software, a scrum master and 5 developers. For small projects, the number of developers is reduced to two.

The team should be simple and consistent, do not complicate the structure of the team, it will lead to confusion and a shift in priorities, which will negatively affect the development process.

Read also: How to Hire Top Mobile App Developers for Your Team: Tips, Costs & More

How to Build an iOS / Android App Development Team: Key Points

Consider the classic structure of an iOS app development team or Android development team.

• Product Owner: The link between the development team and the rest of the company, overseeing the implementation process from A to Z.
• PM: monitors the progress of the project, including the scope and budgets of the project, within the framework described in the contract.
• BA: the person in charge of market research, and helping to set goals and priorities, he also estimates the cost of the project.
• UI/UX designer: Responsible for creating an intuitive design that will influence the final impression of the product.
• Mobile application developers: these are specialists who create a product and implement its functionality; they are required to have relevant experience in the project.
• QA Engineer: This is the quality control specialist for the final product.

How to Hire the Dedicated App Development Team

An application development organizational structure needs to go through several obligatory steps.

• Write down your goals, budget and requirements: only by understanding what you want to achieve can you make a clear plan for exactly how you will achieve it.
• Select a Collaboration Model to make mobile applications: Today, the outsourcing collaboration format is especially popular, but it can also be an outstaff or even an internal team.
• Find and interview potential teams: you need to understand how the values ​​and vision of the work process coincide, because success depends on it.
• Create your own dedicated software development team: after you decide on the format of cooperation, you can form the team itself.
• Set KPIs: set deadlines and milestones.

Red also: Kotlin vs. Java: Which is Better for Android App Development?

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Mobile App Development Team?

Traditionally, it is believed that the evaluation of the work of the developer is based on the amount that he receives per hour of work. The sum of such rates is the cost of the application.

The approximate range of rates for Specialists is:

Basic/Intermediate iOS Developer

Objective C and/or Swift

Average Hourly Rate $45-75+

Basic/Intermediate Android Developer

Java, Android SDK

Average Hourly Rate $35-60+

Why You Should Hire TopDevs Experts to Create a Mobile App

TopDevs has extensive experience in a wide variety of industries. Our customer base spans all over the world and with the newly opened UK office, this is just the beginning.

We offer custom software development services to create mobile apps, websites and web applications from idea to post-launch support for all-sized businesses of various industries.

You can learn more about our experience by examining our portfolio.

The Bottom Line

Building a mobile app development team is a key aspect of your success. Do not be afraid to seek advice from specialists or ask questions that interest you. We strongly recommend that you pay attention to the portfolio and be sure to communicate with potential contractors.

Remember that your decision should not be based on cost savings, but on an adequate approach and careful planning. It is necessary to study the market and understand its needs.