How to Hire an Engineering Consultant
In today’s competitive business environment, technology is increasingly shaping the strategies that companies develop to try to outdo their competition.
One of the main examples of this are the customized software applications that companies are rushing to develop to allow them to better connect with their users.
To create such solutions, companies need software engineering professionals who can provide the expertise required.
However, both the need and the sheer number of developers and technology consultants have made the challenge of sourcing reputable, professional, and capable software engineers even more difficult.
That said, the task becomes easier once you know where and how you ought to hire an engineering consultant.
This is precisely what we’ll be looking at in this blog post.
Let’s dive right in.
Understanding The Software Engineering Environment
Before outlining the correct process that should be adopted when hiring engineering consultants for software projects, we must first provide a comprehensive overview of the environment which characterizes software engineering in general.
This is important since it will provide even greater context on not only the nature of software engineering but also on the main reasons behind some of the key difficulties experienced by software engineer platform providers.
According to information shared by Evans Data Corporation, as of 2019, 23.9M people declared themselves as software developers by profession. The same report indicated that this number is to grow to 28.7M by the year 2024.
Statista provides similar predictions for growth in software development, indicating a clear upward trend in the number of new professionals in the field throughout the years.
The Challenges of Hiring Engineering Consultants
In order to understand the correct way any and every business should go about sourcing engineering consultants for software development, it’s crucial to examine the fundamentals of engineering consultancy.
Part of this process entails separating the consultant profile from that of the much more common software developer or software engineer.
Many businesses make the mistake of believing that any software developer can automatically assume the role of a consultant. However, this is not the case.
A software engineering consultant is a person who provides advice and consultation to organizations on the best way to incorporate technology to develop their products and services.
On the other hand, a software developer is someone who builds computer programs that people use on their computers or other devices. This may range from business websites to customized software for business development. In such cases, software developers are responsible for fleshing out the code of the software product being built and ensuring its optimal functionality.
There is a fundamental difference between the two: the software developer builds software based on instructions handed down to them, the engineering consultant participates in the strategic planning and decision-making processes.
Needless to say, a software engineer may have the know-how to build software based on orders provided to them, but that doesn’t imply that they have the expertise, knowledge, and skill to counsel businesses on key elements of their software project.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the important skills that distinguish top engineering consultants and are integral in determining the professionals with whom you partner.
Ample Experience & Project Management
One of the most distinguishing factors that qualify the role of an engineering consultant is the vast experience in software engineering that they bring to the table.
In their capacity as software advisors to your company, an engineering consultant needs to have a solid and clear understanding not only of software development in general but also how businesses leverage it to achieve determined objectives. This entails being intimately familiar with the software product development process as well as proper project management processes and methodology such as agile, etc.
Typically, software consultants have a diverse background across multiple software projects that have afforded them this wealth of knowledge on software development practices and how they should be applied in a business setting.
Knowledge About Your Industry
One of the factors that ought to determine the type of professional you elect to partner with for software consultancy is the expertise they demonstrate in your specific niche.
This entails having a deep understanding or interest to learn about the specific challenges that businesses within your niche face as well as how these challenges hamper your ability to attain goals. That way, they can then assist you in strategizing on software solutions that will help you to adequately position your software product to get a leg up over your competitors.
Ideally, it is best if the engineering consultant has experience working in your industry or specific niche. That way, they will get hands-on knowledge of the intricacies surrounding your business environment and consequently have the insight that will be vital during the strategic planning phase process of your software product.
Top consultants utilize their past experience in software projects, research skills, and general business knowledge to deliver solid software product advice. They should have experience in your niche whenever possible.
Proficiency in The Technology You Need
Another important element that plays a significant factor in how you choose an engineering consultant is their knowledge of the technology used in your software product.
This includes any software used during the development stage of your product (be it related to programming languages or otherwise) along with any other type of technology that may be utilized during the planning, analysis, implementation, or evaluation phase of your product.
In cases where you are already aware of the technology your company will be implementing throughout the product creation cycle, then aligning with a consultant who is adept at its use and integration in software projects will be crucial in increasing your product’s margin for success.
Deciding Where to Hire an Engineering Consultant
The combination of technical skills, in-depth expertise, vast experience in software development, and project management that characterizes software engineers is a profile a coveted one among businesses.
For that reason, businesses should pay particular care in their selection and hiring process for engineering consultants.
Some businesses tend to begin their search for a consultant using a popular freelance platform or job board to advertise a post and select a candidate based on the profiles of those who applied for the position.
To many businesses, it may seem like a smart decision. Freelance consultants who look for work via those platforms typically charge low rates. Therefore, it may seem like a steal to source a consultant at a rate of $20/hour and integrate them into your project to make it a success.
However, this is a grave mistake.
Here’s why.
The Challenge of Hiring Freelancers
Due to the sheer importance of the role of an engineering consultant, it is extremely risky to entrust the success of your software product to someone from a freelance platform or job board.
Firstly, the freelancers and professionals on the freelancer platforms have not had their skills, knowledge, or experience validated either by the platform or by a third-party. They are not subject to routine tests or evaluators that gauge their level of expertise, nor are there any fact-checking processes implemented to determine whether they are legitimate.
The result of this is that many businesses unknowingly enter into partnerships with illegitimate freelance engineering consultants who effectively scam them of their time and money by offering consultancy when they are not qualified to do so.
Usually, by the time businesses realize that they have made an untimely partnership, the damage is already done. Consequently, recruiters are the ones who have to bear responsibility for quality control and background verification.
All in all, cutting corners on consultants is not a smart decision, especially when so much of your product’s success rests upon this role.
Instead, here is the right way to hire an engineering consultant.
Hire Engineering Consultants With DevTeam.Space
DevTeam.Space is a members-only vetted community of expert software professionals.
Their members assist companies all over the world in securing talented engineering consultants that will help you to take your project to the next level.
All of the consultants who make up DevTeam.Space’s community has been carefully selected on the virtue of its proven expertise, skills, and knowledge in software development. They also have a track record of excellence in working with a wide variety of businesses across multiple software projects.
DevTeam.Space engineering consultants are not freelancers but are dedicated professionals who work with the platform full-time to create the best software projects out there.
In addition to their record of excellence, DevTeam.Space also ensures that all of its developers are supported by an agile development methodology that makes the challenge of client-side project management a breeze.
With a DevTeam.Space consultant, you get:
- Access to daily work overviews and weekly reports that recap the achievements, tasks, and activities completed over a set period.
- Easily track the progress of your project with software that lets you easily create milestones and update them throughout the project’s journey.
- Easy communication with your consultants and dedicated account manager who keeps you abreast of the progress of your project on a daily basis.
Recruit a Professional Engineering Consultant Today
Hiring an engineering consultant is a highly delicate process. One false move and you may jeopardize the success of your project.
Instead of risking your project, DevTeam.Space promises you a wealth of capable and successful engineering consultants.
It only takes a few minutes to complete their DevTeam.Space questionnaire.
Once you do, one of their account managers will reach out to you as soon as possible so you can get started.
