A Complete Guide on Roles in Software Development Team

A software development team is more than just what you think.
Frankly, it is not only software developers, project managers, or CTOs.

So, if you have decided to outsource your software development project requirements, you must know the different roles associated with the software development team.

This helps you learn how to manage a software development team effectively and assign responsibilities for performing various tasks.

We have curated this completed guide to discuss the ideal software development team architecture. Let’s find out the different roles in the software development team.

7 Crucial Roles in Software Development Team

Not just software developers; we are going to discuss the roles of 6 other team members in this section. Let’s discuss the roles of each team member one by one in detail so that you can get idea on how to manage software development team.

1. Project Manager – Handles Entire Project From Planning to Deployment

The project manager (PM) is responsible for handling the software development project. A PM clearly knows the why, when, who, where, and what of the project to streamline the software development process and ensure timely delivery.

In addition, a PM will look after your requirements and constantly be a mediator between you and the team. Along with this, the PM will determine the software development methodologies, assign tasks, and also mitigate risks and manage unforeseen circumstances.

What are the Skills of a Project Manager?

To become a successful project manager, one must possess these 5 qualities.

• Must have proven experience in handling various software projects
• Sound knowledge of project estimation techniques and development methodologies
• Excellent technical knowledge and communication skills
• Good leadership, decision-making, and multi-tasking skills
• Strong attention to each part of the process and ability to deliver projects on time

5 Roles and Responsibilities of Project Manager

The following are the roles and responsibilities that a project manager needs to take care of.

• Plan out the software development architecture by defining the scope, allocating resources to the project, setting deadlines, and devising strategies
• Leading the project team and regularly discussing ideas with clients and the team
• Supervising and tracking every stage of the software development lifecycle
• Ensuring the delivery of the project on time, adhering to the guidelines
• Overseeing the testing, evaluation, and troubleshooting of the solution

If you are curious about how project managers handle the whole project, here is a blog post on the goals of a software development team. By reading this post, you will learn how goals are set, the importance of setting goals, and the common goals that every software team should follow.

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2. UX/UI Designers – Designs Ideas Through Images and Layouts

UX and UI designers are two different personalities. However, the roles of these designers are mostly intertwined, and this is why these designers often specialize in both areas.

UX/UI designers play an important role in creating experiences and interfaces for the software product. Designers have the ability to analyze the functionalities and features of the software to simplify the navigation process and interaction sequences. The designers use wireframes to create the designs.

What are the Skills of UX/UI Designers?

There are the following 5 skills a talented UX/UI designer should have.

• Should have sound knowledge of wireframing, prototyping, user flows, and mockups
• Well-versed in using designing tools like Figma, Sketch, Photoshop, and Illustrator
• Conducting the right type of user research for software enhancements
• Decision mapping to have an approach for solving complex problems
• Basic understanding of the programming languages like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML

6 Roles and Responsibilities of UX/UI Designers

A UX/UI designer is responsible for performing these tasks.

• Coordinating with clients to find their user experience design requirements
• Creating a comprehensive UI/UX design strategy for the software project
• Producing the best quality designs with the help of wireframes, visual and graphic designs, and prototypes
• Testing UI and design elements for the software like CTAs, banners, page layouts, page designs
• Collaborate with the software development team to ensure timely delivery
• Adhering to typography and graphic design standards

3. Business Analysts – Processes & Documents Business Processes Through Data.

A business analyst must understand the requirements of the clients to define the objectives of the product by conducting market research. Also, a business analyst checks your existing competitors, defines target audiences, and creates documentation and wireframes.

BA team needs to provide a lot of creativity in the initial stage of development to convert your idea into a viable software solution.

What are the Skills of a Business Analyst?

A business analyst must have the 6 following skills to be a part of the software development team.

• Ability to understand the client requirements and business objectives
• Analytical and critical thinking to create wireframes
• Communication skills, decision-making skills, and problem-solving skills
• Negotiation and cost-benefit analysis
• Knowledge of various wireframe-making tools
• Creation of reports and dashboards and attention to detail

5 Roles and Responsibilities of Business Analyst

Find out the key responsibilities of a business analyst in this section.

• Coordinating with the team and clients to create wireframes for the project
• Understanding the needs of clients and creating strategic business needs
• Utilizing data for business insights to enhance the quality of the solution
• Analyzing the business models and implementing new business technology
• Running A/B tests and producing reports on software development

4. Software Developers – Writes Code to Build Entire System

Software developers code the software using various programming languages, frameworks, and libraries. The developers play an essential role in building the software, tackling logical problems, and handling them through efficient codes. Check this complete guide to know what does a software developer do.

What are the Skills of a Software Developer?

Check the following 6 skills a software developer must have.

• Knowledge of the complete SDLC (software development lifecycle)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with complex projects
• Knows to develop unit testing of code components
• Understanding the concepts of software engineering
• Must be a full-stack developer to handle backend and frontend both
• Deep tech stacks knowledge

5 Roles and Responsibilities of Software Developers

Check the following duties of a software developer to build a solution.

• Handling errors and defects and adapting to new technologies and new hardware to improve the performance of the software
• Developing software systems with scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict the outcomes
• Directing software programming and consulting with clients on the progress of the project
• Analyzing the requirements and planning the installation of new systems and hardware
• Consulting with the project manager to identify the requirements and project capabilities

5. Software Architects – Determines the Processes the Development Team Should Use

Don’t get confused by a software architect with a developer. A software architect is responsible for designing the internal structure of the code and for providing technical support whenever required.

A software architect is also responsible for defining the tech stack, using software development best practices and reviewing the code to ensure the quality of the codes. They are well aware of the programming languages and have all the qualities to be a team lead.

What are the Skills of a Software Architect?

A software architect must possess the following skill sets to handle a complex project.

• Must have handled complex software development projects earlier
• Solid understanding of various programming languages, tools and development platforms
• Leadership qualities to manage a complete software development team structure
• Analytical mindset and detail-oriented personality
• Strong communication and presentation skills

5 Roles and Responsibilities of Software Architects

Here are the key responsibilities of a software architect that you need to check.

• Collaborate with the stakeholders, clients, and the team to determine requirements
• Creating product specifications and design documents based on projects
• Preparing the architectural blueprints for the development team
• Guiding the team, testing the final product, and troubleshooting issues related to coding and designs
• Present regular reports to the clients on achieving milestones and setting software development team goals

6. DevOps Engineers – Collaborates with Developers and Operation Team to Create a New System

A DevOps engineer has a wide knowledge of both development and operations, including coding, software development trends, infrastructure management, and administration.

Also, a DevOps engineer is responsible for introducing various strategies, methodologies, processes, and tools to balance clients’ needs throughout the software development lifecycle.

What are the Skills of a DevOps Engineer?

Here are the 5 skills an experienced DevOps engineer should have.

• Wide experience in team management and collaboration with clients and team
• Well-versed with the programming languages like Python and Java to write code and scripts
• Ability to guide and mentor junior developers and create regular reports on performance
• Knows how to install and configure software for smooth software deployment
• Knowledge of documenting processes and best practices of data encryption and cybersecurity

5 Roles and Responsibilities of DevOps Engineers

Check the following responsibilities handled by a DevOps engineer being a part of the software development team.

• Discussing the operational requirements with the management and the development team
• Mentoring junior developers and assigning DevOps responsibilities
• Looking out for the proper installation and configuration of solutions
• Developing interface simulators and completing code and script updates to resolve errors
• Overseeing routine maintenance and performing various tests

7. Software Testers- Makes the Product 100% Bug-free Before Deployment

A software tester takes the responsibility of ensuring the software works properly and adheres to the standard guidelines. A quality analyst will contribute at the last stage to bring improvements that further add quality to the final product.

What are the Skills of a Software Tester?

These following 4 skills a tester must possess to handle a software project.

• Should be well aware of the software test design and testing methodologies
• Vast experience working with the testing tools and having a detail-oriented mindset
• knowledge of test techniques and compatibility with different operating systems
• Excellent communication and organizational skills

5 Roles and Responsibilities of Software Testers

Here are the key duties performed by a software tester to eliminate bugs and ensure smooth project delivery.

• Going through the software requirements and preparing test scenarios accordingly
• Performing tests on software usability and analyzing test results, and finding errors or bugs
• Preparing reports on testing software and reporting to the development team
• Interacting with the internal team to understand the project requirements
• Participating in reviewing design and providing inputs, and identifying potential problems

We have discussed the different roles associated with a software development project, along with their skills, roles, and responsibilities. The combination of all these different roles forms the structure of the software development team. However, if you are still wondering on what grounds you would decide on the size of the team, then check the next section.

Which Factors Affect the Size of the Software Development Team?

Finalizing the right team for the software project is always a tough battle. However, there are certain factors which you need to consider before building a strategy and deciding on the size of the team. So let’s discuss these 4 influential factors.

1. Software Development Complexity

You need to identify the complexity of your project. Suppose you are building an eCommerce platform, then you would not require many specialists in the team. On the other hand, if you want to build an NFT trading marketplace, then in this situation, you would require experienced specialists to develop a successful product.

2. Project Delivery Timeline

Your team size also depends on how soon you want to deploy your software in the market. If you have tight deadlines, then you would need extra team members by your side to complete the project on time. And if this is not the case, having minimal members would also work.

3. Budget of the Project

If you want to have senior members or extra team members by your side, you would be required to pay extra. So to optimize the budget spending, ensure you have a stable team of mixed senior and junior members to get the optimum results.

Still, looking for more answers on how you can organize a team and other questions related to the development team? Check the next section for top FAQs.

Ready to Hire Software Developers for Your Project

Knowing the different software development team roles makes it easy for you to outsource your requirements. In addition, you will easily be able to identify who is performing which specific part of the project so that you can keep track of each member’s performance.

In case you need more help in understanding the roles of the software development team or want to outsource your requirements, get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.