10 small business owners' tips for hiring an outsourced architecture team

Outsourcing sounds all fun and games before you step into this world and see how things work indeed.

The most challenging part is choosing your team. When you surround yourself with a strong team of professionals, consider your project halfway done.

Since the team is the fuel that keeps the project going ahead, it is also the most important part of the process.

Here are some vital tips that could help you a lot when hiring an outsourced architecture team.

1: Choose Your Coworkers Wisely

When you're trying to build up your outsourcing team, there are not many differences from taking the old classical way of choosing the designated designer.

Pick a paper and write down anything that comes to your mind - an architect with 5 years of experience in the field and knowledge in Photoshop - you name it.

These parameters will help you a lot in finding your perfect match.

2: Do A Background Research

A good interview is everything that you need, but don't let it carry you away.

Always check and double-check the things that were mentioned during your talk. Don't forget to analyze the portfolio with all projects included in it, and the most important part of all - check previous client recommendations and reviews.

Sometimes, they can tell you more than the portfolio itself.

3: Prepare Test-Tasks

It's not the easiest thing to make the last call. Especially if you have a couple of candidates with great reviews and projects.

In situations like this, it's always a good idea to prepare some paid test tasks. The budget for the test task doesn't need to be big - a symbolic and encouraging amount of money that will let the candidates know that you value their time and expertise.

4: Thinking Fast, Not Slow

Hearing out from a couple of candidates at a time can be overwhelming. And we know that work can't wait, so things need to move fast but efficiently.

Of course, in time you'll master the ability to notice when something isn't as you'd prefer it, and you'll swap from one to another candidate without any guilt.

However, don't lose too much time overthinking the candidates. No matter what, always tend to cut dead weight quickly.

Keep your options open just for any case, but act fast and smart.

5: Point All Details

It's not easy to polish everything related to the project from the beginning. But also, keep in mind that if you don't clarify your strategy, approach, and other important details from the start, you'll have a lot of headaches in the later phases.

There's nothing easier than a clear start. Don't stop yourself from getting deep into detailed explanations about your scope of work.

6: Build Relationships

Although you're communicating using online platforms, don't let your outsourcing experience revolve all around the work.

Remember, these people are professionals in their area, but at the end of the day - they're just people, like you. Build up and strengthen the relationships with your online partners in the same way as with your office coworkers.

7: Communication Is KEY

To build a healthy relationship with your outsourcing team, you need to know that communication is crucial.

Communicating is not just discussing the work stuff, or engaging in small talks every day. It's more about provoking a discussion, debating, and finding multiple solutions for your matters.

8: Arrange Your Working Hours

Different time zones can be tricky, but they're not something that should concern you that much in general.

If there's a will, there will be a compromise.

But don't expect that your online coworkers will push everything else on the side just to accommodate you. Instead, find a common ground with the working hours that will serve you both well.

9: Let Professionals Do Their Job

Letting things out of control could lead to chaos and misunderstandings. But this doesn't mean that you have to control every single detail all the time.

Let things happen, and let work flow naturally.

Try to overcome the urge to control every single move, and trust your architects and drafters. They've already been through this, and they know how to handle details with care.

10: Trust The Vibes You Get

Last but not least - always trust your intuition.

Your inner voice is your guide in life, and when it turns on the red light, you need to be aware of the situation that something isn't right.

Feel free to have a little trust in yourself because there is nobody else who knows your business better than you.