How to Choose the Right Collaboration Model for Your Company

Choosing the right collaboration model for building software is not a minor decision—it directly affects your speed to market, the quality of the final product, how well your team integrates with external developers, and your ability to scale sustainably.

At DaCodes, we offer flexible engagement models tailored to the real needs of companies across different stages—from startup to enterprise. This article explains the key differences between Dedicated Teams and Time and Materials Projects, and how to choose the best approach for your organization.

What is a Dedicated Team?

A Dedicated Team model means you work with a fully integrated, full-time team that is committed exclusively to your product or business unit. Think of it as an extension of your in-house team, operating remotely but aligned 100% to your goals.

Your dedicated team typically includes:

• Software developers (frontend/backend/fullstack)
  
  
• UI/UX designers
  
  
• QA engineers
  
  
• A project manager or product owner
  
  
• Optionally, DevOps, data engineers, or AI specialists
  
  

This model offers high continuity and deep product understanding over time, with team members participating in your daily rituals, product decisions, and roadmap discussions.

Best for:

• Long-term, evolving product development
  
  
• Scaling tech teams without internal hiring delays
  
  
• Projects requiring constant iteration and innovation
  
  
• Founders and CTOs looking to build IP with stable teams
  
  

What is a Time and Materials Project?

A Time and Materials (T&M) project is a flexible model where you pay for the actual hours spent by the team, typically used for projects with a defined scope or when requirements are still evolving but don’t require a full team long term.

The T&M model is well suited for:

• MVPs or proof of concept
  
  
• Feature development
  
  
• Code audits or product rescue missions
  
  
• Short-term efforts with specific goals
  
  

You have control over the budget and timeline, and can add or remove specialists as needed.

Best for:

• Short-term needs with clearly defined goals
  
  
• Companies that want to test a partnership before scaling
  
  
• Teams with their own PM or leadership and need extra capacity
  
  
• Budgets that require close tracking of hours and progress
  
  

Key Differences at a Glance

How We Help You Choose the Right Model

At DaCodes, we start with a collaborative Discovery Phase to understand your context—technical, business, and organizational. From there, we help you identify the model that best matches your:

• Product maturity
  
  
• Budget and timeline constraints
  
  
• Team structure and capabilities
  
  
• Need for flexibility and speed
  
  
• Strategic vs. tactical objectives
  
  

If your goal is to launch, test, and iterate fast while controlling costs, T&M might be the best fit.
If you're building a product with long-term goals and need continuity, a dedicated team will give you more traction, ownership, and strategic alignment.

When in Doubt, Start with a Discovery Phase

Many of our clients begin with a Discovery Phase where we jointly define the product vision, technical architecture, backlog, and roadmap. This process gives clarity on whether you need a dedicated team, a short-term squad, or a combination of both.

You don’t have to guess the model upfront—we’ll help you make a data-driven, context-aware decision that sets your product up for success.

Ready to Find the Right Fit?

Let’s explore your project together.
👉 Contact us to set up a discovery session and find the collaboration model that fits your business, your goals, and your team structure.