Mobile apps have become an essential part of our lives, and the demand for mobile app development is constantly growing. Building a mobile app development team can be a daunting task, especially for businesses that are new to the process. There are a number of factors to consider, such as the size and scope of the project, the required skills and experience, and the budget.
In this article, we will discuss the structure and roles in a mobile app development team, the different ways to build the team and the factors to consider when choosing a team. We will also provide tips for building a successful mobile app development team.
Table of contents
1. About Mobile App Development
To simplify, a mobile app is a software application designed to run on mobile devices, such as a smartphone or a tablet.
Mobile apps can be classified into a variety of types, but there are 3 common types, including:
Native App
A native app is a mobile app that is developed specifically for a particular mobile operating system, such as iOS or Android.
Native apps are developed using the programming languages and frameworks that are native to the mobile operating system. However, one code is developed specifically for only a mobile operating system, and will not work on both platforms.
Hybrid App
Hybrid apps are used on multiple mobile operating systems, such as iOS, Android and Windows. They are typically developed using cross-platform development languages, including Flutter, React Native…
Progressive Web App (PWA)
A progressive web app (PWA) is a type of web app that combines the best of both worlds: the user experience of a native app with the reach and flexibility of a web app.
PWAs are built using web technologies, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. PWAs are still a relatively new technology, but they are quickly gaining popularity.
2. Structure and Roles of Mobile App Development Team
To develop a successful mobile app, the first and foremost step is building a team responsible for creating and maintaining the mobile apps. Each team member plays an important role in the development process, working together to make sure the app is created and worked well.
A mobile app development team typically includes the following roles:
Product Manager
The product manager is responsible for the overall vision and success of the mobile app. They work with stakeholders to define the product requirements, features, and timeline. They also oversee the development process and ensure that the app meets the needs of the users and the business.
Project Manager
The project manager is responsible for planning and executing the mobile app development project. They oversee the team’s progress, manage the budget, and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.
Business Analyst
The business analyst works with the product manager to understand the business needs and requirements for the mobile app. They also help to define the app’s scope and features.
UI/UX Designer
The UI/UX designer is responsible for the design of the mobile app’s user interface and user experience. They create wireframes, prototypes, and mockups to illustrate how the app will look and function. They also work with the developers to ensure that the design is feasible and implementable.
Mobile App Developer
The mobile app developer is responsible for writing the code that makes the mobile app work. The developer team can be divided into three types: iOS Developer, Android Developer (or React Native Developer for developing cross-platform app), Backend Developer. They use programming languages to develop the app’s front-end and back-end. They also work with the UI/UX designer to implement the design and ensure that the app is performant and bug-free.
Quality Assurance Engineer
The quality assurance engineer is responsible for testing the mobile app to ensure that it meets the requirements and is free of bugs. They use a variety of testing methods, such as unit testing, integration testing, and system testing, to verify the app’s functionality and performance.
The size and structure of the mobile app development team will vary depending on the complexity of the app and the size of the organisation. However, each team member’s contribution is essential to the success of the app.
3. Stages of a Mobile App Development Team
The stages of a mobile app development team can vary depending on the specific needs of the project. However, the typical stages will include:
Ideation and Requirements Gathering
The first stage of mobile app development is to ideate and gather requirements for the app. This involves brainstorming ideas, identifying the target audience, and defining the app’s features and functionality.
The team can start by brainstorming a list of potential app ideas, and then start to narrow it down to identify a promising app idea. After that, they can start to gather requirements. This involves working with stakeholders to identify the specific features and functionality that the app should have
Planning and Design
Once the requirements have been gathered, the team develops a plan for the development process. This includes creating a timeline, budget, and risk assessment. The team also creates a design for the app’s user interface and user experience.
The team can create wireframes, prototypes, and mockups to illustrate the app’s design. They can also get feedback from users on the design before starting development.
Development
The development stage is where the team writes the code for the mobile app. This includes developing the front-end (user interface) and back-end (server-side) of the app.
The team will use a variety of programming languages and tools to develop the app. The specific languages and tools that they use will depend on the platform that the app is being developed for.
Testing
Once the app has been developed, the team tests it thoroughly to ensure that it meets all of the requirements and is free of bugs. This includes unit testing, integration testing, and system testing. The team can use automated testing tools to help them test the app.
Deployment and Maintenance
Once the app has been tested and approved, it is deployed to the app store. The team also provides maintenance and support for the app after it has been released.
4. Tech Stack of a Mobile App Development Team
The tech stack includes programming languages, frameworks, tools and other software components. There are a lot of technologies used for building an app, but they can be divided into two main categories:
- Front-end: In case you don’t know what front-end means, it is the part of the app that users interact with. It is responsible for displaying the user interface and handling user input.
- Back-end: The back-end is the part of the app that runs on the server. It is responsible for storing and retrieving data, processing user requests, and generating responses.
The following are some of the most popular technologies used in mobile app development:
Front-end
- Programming languages: Java, Kotlin (Android), Swift, Objective-C (iOS), React Native (cross-platform)
- Frameworks: Android SDK (Android), UIKit, SwiftUI (iOS), React Native, Flutter (cross-platform)
- Tools: Android Studio (Android), Xcode (iOS), Visual Studio Code (cross-platform)
Back-end
- Programming languages: Java, Python, Node.js, PHP, Ruby
- Frameworks: Spring Boot, Django, Laravel, Ruby on Rails
- Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis
The specific technologies in a mobile app development project will depend on some factors, such as platform, type of app, complexity of the app, budget…
>>> Read more: 10 Best Programming Languages for Mobile App Development 2022
5. Ways to build your mobile app development team
There are three main ways that businesses can use to build a mobile app development team:
- Outsource: Outsourcing involves hiring a third-party company to develop the mobile app. This can be a good option for businesses that do not have the in-house expertise or resources to develop the app themselves.
- Freelance: Businesses can also hire freelance mobile app developers. This can be a good option for businesses that need to develop a simple app or that need to add specific features to an existing app.
- In-house: Businesses can also build their own in-house mobile app development team. This can be a good option for businesses that need to develop complex apps or that need to have complete control over the development process.
Each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages, you can quickly check by reading the table below:
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
| Outsourcing | – Cost-effectiveness – Access to a large pool of experiences and skilled mobile app developers – Flexibility | – Loss of control over the development process – Difficulty in communicating and collaborating with the outsourcing team |
| Freelance | – Cost-effectiveness – Access to a wide range of skills and experience – Flexibility | – Difficulty in finding qualified and experienced freelance developers – Lack of control over the development process – Potential for delays and missed deadlines |
| In-house | – Complete control over the development process – Ability to build a team with the specific skills and experience needed for the project – Easier communication and collaboration | – Higher costs – Need to hire and manage a team of developers – Difficulty in finding and retaining qualified developers |
>>> Read more: Hiring Remote Developers: A Complete Guide in 2023
6. Factors Businesses should Consider when Building Team
Choosing the right way to build a mobile app team is a critical decision for any project. The team you choose will be responsible for creating the app that your customers will use and interact with, so it is important to choose a team that is qualified, experienced and a good fit for your business. You should consider the following factors
Project scope
The complexity of the app, the features and functionality it should have, and the development timeline will all influence the size and composition of the team required.
Team size
The number of developers needed and the skills and experience they must have will depend on the project scope
Ways of building team
There are three main ways to build a development team: outsource, freelance and in-house team, each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages as mentioned above.
Skill requirements
The programming languages and frameworks that the developers need to be familiar with, as well as other skills and experience such as UI/UX design, QA testing, and project management.
Tech stack
The technologies must be compatible with the developers’ expertise to build the app.
Budget
The business also needs to consider the cost of outsourcing, hiring freelancers, or building an in-house team.
Communication and collaboration
Businesses should choose a team that communicates and collaborates effectively, especially if they are outsourcing the app’s development.
Experience and expertise
The team’s experience developing mobile apps for the specific platform(s) and with similar features and functionality is critical. You can ask to review the team’s portfolio and reviews from previous clients, it can help you assess their work quality and their ability to deliver on time and within budget.
Conclusion
Building a successful mobile app development team requires careful planning and consideration. Remember that you don’t have to do it alone. There are a number of resources available to help you, such as outsourcing companies, freelance developers and online communities.
By carefully considering your needs and requirements, you can build a mobile app development team that will help you launch a successful mobile app. Hope this article will help you in your journey.
However, if you need an outsourcing service right now, we are here to help. You want to join this competitive market but still do not know where to start with your idea? Contact AgileTech to start together today! AgileTech is an experienced technology outsourcing company that has intense experience in mobile app development, so we can help you with building mobile products and creating a clear picture for your business to succeed.
