Building a High-Performance SharePoint Development Team
Introduction
SharePoint is a powerful platform that allows organizations to create websites, intranets, and custom applications. However, building and maintaining a SharePoint environment requires a skilled development team. In this article, we will discuss the key factors to consider when building a high-performance SharePoint development team.
1. Hiring a SharePoint Development Agency
One of the first steps in building a high-performance SharePoint development team is to hire a SharePoint development agency. A SharePoint development agency specializes in creating and managing SharePoint websites, intranets, and custom applications. When hiring a SharePoint development agency, consider the following factors:
- Experience: Look for an agency with a proven track record in SharePoint development. Check their portfolio and client testimonials to assess their expertise.
- Skills: Ensure that the agency has a team of skilled SharePoint developers who are proficient in SharePoint on-premise and SharePoint online.
- Communication: Effective communication is crucial for successful collaboration. Choose an agency that has good communication skills and is responsive to your needs.
- Cost: Consider your budget and compare the pricing of different agencies. However, remember that quality should be prioritized over cost.
2. Managing Your SharePoint Development Team
Once you have hired a SharePoint development agency, it is important to effectively manage your team to ensure high performance. Here are some tips for managing your SharePoint development team:
- Clear Goals and Expectations: Clearly define the goals and expectations for your SharePoint development project. This will help your team stay focused and aligned with your objectives.
- Regular Communication: Schedule regular meetings with your team to discuss project progress, address any issues, and provide feedback. This will help keep everyone on the same page and ensure that the project is on track.
- Collaboration Tools: Use collaboration tools such as SharePoint itself, Microsoft Teams, or project management software to facilitate communication and collaboration among team members.
- Training and Development: Invest in training and development opportunities for your team to enhance their skills and keep up with the latest SharePoint technologies and best practices.
- Recognition and Rewards: Recognize and reward your team members for their hard work and achievements. This will boost morale and motivation, leading to higher performance.
3. Outsourcing SharePoint Development
If you do not have the resources or expertise to build an in-house SharePoint development team, outsourcing SharePoint development can be a viable option. Outsourcing allows you to leverage the expertise of a specialized SharePoint development agency without the need for hiring and managing a full-time team. When outsourcing SharePoint development, consider the following:
- Experience and Expertise: Ensure that the outsourcing agency has a strong track record in SharePoint development and has the necessary expertise to meet your requirements.
- Communication and Collaboration: Establish clear communication channels and collaboration processes with the outsourcing agency to ensure effective project management.
- Security and Confidentiality: Discuss security measures and confidentiality agreements with the outsourcing agency to protect your sensitive data and intellectual property.
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Define clear SLAs with the outsourcing agency to ensure that they meet your expectations in terms of project timelines, deliverables, and quality.
4. Custom SharePoint Development
In addition to building SharePoint websites and intranets, a high-performance SharePoint development team should also be capable of custom SharePoint development. Custom SharePoint development involves creating tailored solutions and applications to meet specific business requirements. When building a custom SharePoint development team, consider the following:
- Technical Expertise: Ensure that your team has the necessary technical expertise in SharePoint development, including knowledge of SharePoint APIs, web parts, workflows, and integration with other systems.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Look for team members who are creative problem solvers and can think outside the box to develop innovative solutions.
- Collaboration and Teamwork: Custom SharePoint development often requires collaboration with other teams and stakeholders. Choose team members who can effectively collaborate and work in cross-functional teams.
- Quality Assurance: Implement a robust quality assurance process to ensure that the custom SharePoint solutions meet the required standards and are free from bugs and errors.
5. Managed SharePoint Services
Managed SharePoint services can help organizations effectively manage and maintain their SharePoint environment. A managed SharePoint services provider offers ongoing support, maintenance, and monitoring of your SharePoint infrastructure. When choosing a managed SharePoint services provider, consider the following:
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Define clear SLAs with the managed services provider to ensure that they meet your expectations in terms of response time, issue resolution, and system availability.
- Proactive Monitoring: Choose a provider that offers proactive monitoring of your SharePoint environment to identify and resolve issues before they impact your users.
- Backup and Disaster Recovery: Ensure that the managed services provider has robust backup and disaster recovery processes in place to protect your data and ensure business continuity.
- Security: Discuss security measures with the provider to ensure that your SharePoint environment is protected against unauthorized access and data breaches.
Conclusion
Building a high-performance SharePoint development team is essential for organizations that want to leverage the full potential of SharePoint. Whether you choose to hire a SharePoint development agency, outsource SharePoint development, or build an in-house team, it is important to consider factors such as experience, skills, communication, and cost. Effective management, training, and recognition are also key to ensuring the success of your SharePoint development team. Additionally, consider the benefits of custom SharePoint development and managed SharePoint services to enhance the capabilities and performance of your SharePoint environment.