Delegating software projects to freelance developers allows organizations to reduce costs and reassign their own talent to activities with greater strategic impact. More and more companies are turning to this practice, as it offers benefits they could not achieve by developing projects 100% internally.
However, when it comes to high-priority products or services, the selection of external talent must be much more thorough and rigorous to ensure a result that meets business expectations and technical requirements. Let’s explore 5 common mistakes that can compromise the quality of hiring and the final product.
Not conducting technical tests for candidates
Carrying out a selection process without including technical tests is a mistake that often proves costly, as these evaluations validate theoretical knowledge and, more importantly, the practical ability of the developer to solve project-related problems.
Technical tests reflect real use cases, allowing observation of how the candidate tackles challenges in the field. They also help verify the quality of their code, efficiency, and adaptability to changes.
Omitting this step may lead to hiring unsuitable profiles for the level of complexity required by the product or service.
By quickly identifying potential knowledge or skill gaps, technical tests are an excellent resource to filter candidates and retain only those who demonstrate the required technical expertise.
Not sharing the project story and vision
What matters most in a developer is their technical skills combined with their ability to identify and solve problems. However, a selection process is not just about sharing a list of technical requirements.
It is essential to communicate the value, business objectives, and expected impact. Only then can the developer actively engage with the final purpose. Without this, the professional is more likely to limit themselves to mechanically executing requirements without adding value.
This is also important because it helps convey part of the cultural vision of the project and the company. If the talent does not align with this perspective, teamwork will be more complex, impacting the quality of the product.
When the freelancer understands the full context, their technical decisions are more accurate and aligned with the overall strategy. They are oriented toward concrete results, develop greater commitment, and proactively suggest improvements and anticipate potential obstacles.
Neglecting constant communication
Managing freelancers in a critical software project requires smooth and constant communication between the technical team, stakeholders, and the project manager or product owner, depending on the organization of each product or service. The absence of open channels or regular updates can lead to:
- Discoordination
- Misunderstandings
- Lower-quality deliverables
Maintaining continuous dialogue is key to quickly identifying deviations or difficulties, as well as applying corrective actions in the shortest possible time.
Furthermore, communication strengthens the relationship between the internal team and freelance talent, creating an environment of trust, collaboration, and transparency.
It is important to remember that constant communication with a freelance developer does not mean micromanaging their work. Instead, it involves guiding their skills and talent toward achieving both technical and business objectives, ensuring alignment at all times.
Hiring a very cheap developer
It is evident that freelance talent tends to be less expensive than hiring an internal developer, but choosing a professional with a rate far below the market average can be more harmful than beneficial for your project.
The developer’s quality and experience are decisive factors that should not be sacrificed for lower investment. Someone charging significantly less than an experienced professional often lacks the technical expertise and “know-how” required for high-priority projects.
An inexperienced developer may produce defective, hard-to-maintain, or insecure code, negatively affecting the stability of the final product. Additionally, their lack of mastery of required tools may result in:
- More time needed to complete tasks
- Increased overall project cost
- Delays in delivery times
For all these reasons, it is essential to balance investment with real value, selecting profiles that offer a combination of technical skills, soft skills, commitment, and proven experience.
Not setting deadlines or fixed milestones
A very common mistake when hiring freelancers for critical projects is not establishing clear delivery dates and firm deadlines from the beginning. This often happens due to misunderstanding the relationship between the client and external talent, assuming that because it is a more flexible arrangement, these details are unnecessary.
Defining milestones and deliverables with established deadlines is necessary to keep the project on track, facilitate management, and correctly identify deviations to apply appropriate adjustments. Without these boundaries, the work may be indefinitely delayed due to lack of direction and accountability.
Setting clear deadlines also helps the freelancer organize their time and workload, which builds trust within the internal team regarding project progress. When the talent has specific dates, they have more elements to organize and prioritize their tasks.
