How To Work With Remote Java Developers

Java remains among the top three most popular programming languages in the development community and it is widely used in a great number of applications. Java is also frequently used in trending technologies including reactive programming and machine learning. With so many uses, it’s no wonder there is a high demand for Java developers.

Fortunately, thanks to the advancement of technology, clients now have an option to hire reliable and experienced Java developers worldwide without necessarily assembling an in-house development team. If you need help selecting the right company, tell us what you need. We can do the work for you and connect you with up to 5 companies within 72h that match your need- all for free.

Do Background Work and Choose the Most Suitable Java Developers

When working with remote developers, you won’t be able to approach them whenever you need or receive the answer to a question immediately. This means the workflow management will be more complex compared to the management of an in-house team. In addition, collaboration with a remote development team always runs the risk of poor code quality.

Therefore, before hiring remote Java developers, some background work is required. Here is what you can do to ensure the team’s expertise:

• Request a portfolio and contact past clients
• Arrange a meeting or a call with the team
• Give the team a test task
• Conduct a technical interview
• See the reviews and testimonials

One more important thing to consider is what Java certificates the team members have under their belts. To ensure a consistently high quality of work, Java recommends developers pass the following certifications:

• Certified Master Java SE Developer
• Certified Professional Java EE Business Component Developer
• Certified Professional Java ME Mobile Application Developer
• Certified Professional Java EE Web Component Developer

These certifications serve as indicators of the developer’s knowledge and skill, ensuring that the developer’s work corresponds to the standards set by Java. Therefore, certified developers are guaranteed experts that can be trusted.

Organise a Seamless Communication Process

Communication is the biggest issue that clients face when working with remote teams. To keep everything running smoothly, then, it’s an absolute must for all teams working with remote developers to set out a clear and transparent communication process.

First, negotiate the frequency of meetings and/or calls. Regular reporting helps clients to always stay informed about the project status and it also helps developers to stay focused on the goals while remaining on track with the project. Regular and frequent reporting also allows both parties to discuss important issues, resolve and prevent conflicts and discuss the next steps.

Second, choose the means of communication. Some people prefer Slack while others prefer using Skype or emails. Discuss it with your Java team and choose a communication method that suits everyone.

Both parties should understand the importance of professional and regular communication and behave correspondingly. If there are any misunderstandings, a client or a team manager should invest time into explaining the importance of internal communication to team members.

For more suggestions on how to improve your communication with your team, you may be interested in our article about the do’s and don’ts of managing an outsourced Java team.

Make Full Use of Managerial and Tracking Tools

There are many collaboration tools available online that can help to improve the work process for both the client and the remote Java team. The tools can be divided into the following categories:

• Task management: Trello, Jira, Asana, TeamGantt, Confluence
• Collaboration on documents: Google Drive, TipHive, Dropbox
• Communication management: Slack, Skype, Google Hangouts

These tools help to keep all processes in one place, keep team members up to date and store the information in a format that is available and convenient for everyone.

Whatever tech stack you’re working with, we can help you to find an outsourced team that fits in with your company. Just tell us what you need. We can do the work for you and connect you with up to 5 companies within 72h that match your need- all for free.

Perform Regular Tests to Check Code Quality

Even though some Java developers hesitate to conduct regular testing, others state that regular unit tests help them to identify potential vulnerabilities and problem areas in the code. If you are one of these developers, you may be interested in our article on tips to be a better Java developer.

Unit testing means testing single units (modules) and evaluating their performance. Such pinpoint testing is great as it provides a deeper insight into the software product and certain issues that otherwise may be missed. JUnit is the most popular tool for unit testing in the Java community. Other tools used include Robot Framework, Mockito, and PowerMock.

In addition to unit testing, it is also necessary to perform other types of testing such as system testing, acceptance testing, and integration testing. Such a comprehensive approach allows developers to detect possible bugs or product vulnerabilities and eliminate them.

Build a Solid Management Strategy for Your Java Developers

Another common challenge when working with remote development teams is the managerial approach taken. The strategy and managerial method will heavily depend on the type of development team.

If you work with remote freelance developers, you will be responsible for organising the work process. This means that you’ll need to come up with the communication and reporting strategy, setting business goals, and monitoring whether deadlines are met. O Often, freelancers are usually very flexible in terms of work so you will be able to implement the needed changes at any time.

There is also an option to hire an outsourced development agency. In this case, you won't have to worry about management as such agencies have well-established processes that all employees strictly follow. Such an organised approach frees the clients from mundane managerial processes and allows them to focus on other tasks that demand attention.

Working with remote Java developers has its pros and cons that every client needs to consider. The benefits include access to a wide talent pool and flexibility of work, but the cons are possible communication issues and the need for additional management. On the other hand, if you find a reliable and experienced development team, you will be rewarded with a high-quality product that will bring tangible benefits to your business.