When I joined my present job, a start-up, I was tasked with putting together the software product development team from ground up. We all know the drill and grind of hiring. So while that is happening, it is important to focus on a couple of things.
Yes we will do the usual stuff like technology stack selection, project planning, sprints etc. but while doing that don't make it water tight. Deliberately leave room for individual initiative & innovation. Avoid the temptation to have everything drawn up and planned to a T. Because once you have the juggernaut rolling, you may or may not be able to do so perfect a plan for you next projects. If you want to build a team that will create new products for you, you need people who will think; Initiators, Innovators. Build it into your plans and team workflows. Build a team that is required to innovate in order to do its job.
Another point is, it is highly unlikely that we will be able to recruit the full team all together. So while preparing for the trainings and orientations and the project documentation, plan on people who join first and going through it being enabled and tasked to pass it on to newer joiners. Teams bond faster, better and with a knowledge sharing culture as a result.
These two translate into a surprisingly positive impact on attrition too.
Please do share your thoughts and experiences on this topic.
Yes we will do the usual stuff like technology stack selection, project planning, sprints etc. but while doing that don't make it water tight. Deliberately leave room for individual initiative & innovation. Avoid the temptation to have everything drawn up and planned to a T. Because once you have the juggernaut rolling, you may or may not be able to do so perfect a plan for you next projects. If you want to build a team that will create new products for you, you need people who will think; Initiators, Innovators. Build it into your plans and team workflows. Build a team that is required to innovate in order to do its job.
Another point is, it is highly unlikely that we will be able to recruit the full team all together. So while preparing for the trainings and orientations and the project documentation, plan on people who join first and going through it being enabled and tasked to pass it on to newer joiners. Teams bond faster, better and with a knowledge sharing culture as a result.
These two translate into a surprisingly positive impact on attrition too.
Please do share your thoughts and experiences on this topic.
