Our Engagement Models

ChampSoft are Software Visionaries, but we are grounded in the real world that demands commercial viability. One of the promises that we make to our clients is that we will work in strategic partnership. Exactly how ChampSoft partner with our clients depends on the choice of engagement model, and getting this right is key to success particularly when it comes to delivering your project on budget.
Simply put, an engagement model defines how the collaboration will actually work, including governance, control, responsibility and payment.

It’s important to get a look at the engagement models that ChampSoft use; here’s what we offer:

Dedicated team model

The dedicated team model is used for long-term projects where requirements are unclear and vary with changes in scope. It is also used when the customer’s own team doesn’t have skills or expertise in certain areas. A dedicated outsourcing team can be connected to a client’s team to perform high-quality, unique, and specific projects without expanding the client’s core team.

The pricing model for the dedicated team model is based on monthly payments that include fixed service costs; it will vary depending on team size.

What is role of the client when working with a dedicated team? As a client, you can interact with your dedicated team and control the progress of the project. This allows you to keep a balance between your in-house team and your dedicated outsourcing team and adapt to the circumstances. You can also decide the workload and scope that suits you best.

Advantages of the dedicated team model:

• Economic efficiency: Hiring a dedicated team is more economical than assembling a team independently, which is laborious and time-consuming.
• A focused approach allows you to concentrate and immerse yourself fully in the project. When a team is focused on one project, it ensures the best results. In turn, this model gives flexibility to reconfigure the team at each stage depending on requirements.
• Cooperation between the client and the team allows for effective planning and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the work process. Close cooperation using tools like Skype, Discord, Teams, Basecamp, and Zoom gives the control over the project.
• Continuous development allows you to improve existing functionality and add new functionality.
• A faster workflow in comparison with the time and materials model, where the workflow is strictly planned.
• The ability to optimize the product is important for product growth.

Fixed price model

The fixed price model (or fixed budget model) is considered riskier for developers since all risks are on them. This model is most favorable for the client, who has the opportunity to defer payment. A fixed price model relies on client and developer to agree time scope and budget, and document these in a contract.

Advantages of the fixed price model:

• The cost of work is agreed before signing the software development contract.
• The terms of work are clear; stages and terms of development are approved by the client and developers, so the project is likely to be ready and delivered on time.
• The development process is coordinated by a project manager, so the client’s participation isn’t necessary.
• There’s a low risk of losing funds.

Blockchain

For a well-functioning project according to the fixed price model, ChampSoft takes the following measures:

• The scope of work, time, resources, and project costs are fully outlined and fixed in the contract.
• All details are spelled out and agreed in advance.
• Criteria for performance are described in detail and deadlines are set for acceptance and performance of work.
• Terms of issue resolution are addressed in the contract.
• To ensure full payment for work, all work are broken down into small stages/tasks with a schedule of acceptance of work and payment for each stage.

Time and materials model

The time and materials model involves payment for the time and effort spent on development — that is, for the actual time spent implementing planned project functionality. This type of contract is one of the most common in outsourcing. It’s considered convenient, relatively flexible, and capable of adapting to any changes. As for the budget, the actual cost may differ from the estimated cost. Payment is made monthly on the basis of actual work performed.

Advantages of the time and materials model:

• A flexible approach to development (this model differs from other models in its approach to defining and managing the scope of work)
• Scalability and rapid adaptation to needs/market requirements gives flexibility to make changes to the project
• The possibility to clearly define project priorities is suitable for small companies and startups
• Time management (tight scheduling allows you to concentrate on important elements of the project)
• Cost control and budget flexibility
• Practical involvement of the client in the development process in order to monitor the performance of a certain work schedule in accordance with the expected results.

Team as a service (TaaS) model

Team as a Service (TaaS) is a dedicated team comprised of various specialists that are contracted to help drive product design, development, and other digital transformation efforts. It’s an ongoing relationship between an organization and a team that can provide enormous benefits throughout its life cycle. TaaS allows business leaders to utilize continuous skills and support to keep things running smoothly. This can include anything from building new software from the ground up to monitoring and maintaining existing platforms, workflows, and services, among other integral business tools.

TaaS offerings will vary depending on the company you’re working with. TaaS comprises many different roles and skill sets, and is delivered through an established, well-running team that has already been working together for years. There’s no hiring trial-and-error process because the collaboration, team building, tools, systems, and processes have already been ironed out. With TaaS, the learning curve is simply getting up to speed on your specific requirements.

Advantages of the TaaS model

Team as a Service is a cooperation model that will work for you in several instances:

1. Long-term collaboration and large projects: Where the assumption for the outcome is a bit blurry, and you are uncertain how to form the exact list of requirements. TaaS will give you room for potential changes along the way and adjusting the ongoing project to your business needs.
2. Lack of a tech-team: A dedicated software team may act as your tech-team only outside the company. You won’t need to engage in a recruitment process that always takes a lot of time and effort to wrap up the details with new employees.
3. Quick expanding the in-house team: If a project requires certain skills in pre-defined project areas that your specialists can’t cover, or you need more hands on deck immediately, TaaS will be the best option, as it is usually a well-matched group of specialists you’re lacking.
4. In-house control of the project: You are a stakeholder, you supervise the project and interact with the team regularly to maintain continuous control over solution development, but the work process is completely on the team provider’s side.
5. Business growth plans: TaaS provides the necessary expertise and flexibility for rapid solution development kick-off. This approach guarantees you a fast product-to-market process and lets your business advance as quickly as possible.
6. Continuous development or optimization: Long-term goals in development require a reliable team and a certain flexibility of the approach, as the concept of the final result might evolve.

ChampSoft provides subject matter experts, Software Designers and Engineers to help startups or enterprises quickly start and scale their product development. Our dedicated development team will seamlessly integrate with your in-house engineers while using the same tools and methodologies you’re comfortable with.

Our Team as a Service model gets you unlimited access to our subject matter experts and technical resources including web/mobile/desktop resources, project managers, QAs, Data Science and Blockchain resources for a fixed monthly price.

Next Steps

ChampSoft have years of experience in applying all of the above-mentioned engagement models. We are ready to take your call, and help advise on the best engagement model for your project circumstances. We are open and transparent, so you can have faith in our recommendations.