Key takeaways
- Fixed-scope suits a well-defined website, MVP or landing build with a deadline.
- A dedicated team suits evolving products, long roadmaps and in-house team extension.
- Many successful engagements start fixed (discovery and MVP) and move to a dedicated team.
- Whatever you choose, insist on sprints, demos and access to your code.
Side by side
| Fixed-scope project | Dedicated team | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Clear requirements and a deadline | Evolving product and long-term roadmap |
| Pricing | Agreed price for agreed scope | Monthly cost for team capacity |
| Flexibility | Changes go through change requests | Priorities can change every sprint |
| Your effort | Lower once scope is signed off | Higher: you steer priorities |
| Main risk | Scope creep or unclear requirements | Paying for idle capacity without a roadmap |
How to decide
- Choose fixed-scope if you can describe what “done” looks like in a document.
- Choose a dedicated team if you expect to keep adding features for six months or more.
- Choose a hybrid: a fixed discovery and MVP, then a dedicated team to grow the product.
- Add a support retainer once you are live, to cover updates, monitoring and fixes.
Questions to ask any vendor
- Who exactly will work on my project, and will they stay on it?
- How do you plan and report progress: sprints, demos, a shared board?
- Will I have access to the code repository and hosting from day one?
- How are changes handled and priced?
- What is the process for testing and security reviews?
- What happens if I need to scale the team up or down?
- What support is included after launch?
How we work
We offer fixed-scope projects, dedicated teams of developers, designers and QA on a monthly engagement, and ongoing support. Read more about our engagement models, or talk to us and we will recommend the one that fits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch from a fixed project to a dedicated team?
Yes. Many clients launch an MVP as a fixed-scope project and then continue with a dedicated team as the product grows.
What is included in a dedicated team?
Typically developers, a designer and QA, with project management as needed. The mix depends on your product and roadmap.
How do I stay in control of a dedicated team?
Through sprint planning, regular demos, a shared backlog and direct access to the people and the code.
