When accepting a project from a third-party developer, it’s crucial to implement employee engagement models and custom software development services. By 2025, 72% of IT leaders report a smoother transition when using structured engagement models. A fintech company used analytics to assess team morale and productivity, then implemented eight steps — such as code audits and goal clarification — resulting in a 35% faster project stabilization and increased customer satisfaction.
Here at Elinext, we often find ourselves in situations when we are asked to complete a project which was developed by another company. When analysing such proposals, a new team has to understand why such types of requests are considered being too risky. On the other hand, we are not living in a perfect IT world, and teams need to address such projects without prejudice. Besides, such requests could become an excellent opportunity to start a prospective relationship with a new client.
The most popular engagement models in IT industry for projects which were developed by another company.
1. Fixed cost
We have to give a fixed time, fixed cost commitment for a fixed scope of work. Usually, clients consider this model as the safest model for them, so they insist on using this model specifically for completing an unfinished project. It’s always the case if they were not lucky with the previous team using another model. The downside of this model from other employee engagement models for the development team is this: if they underestimate some features, they will either need to convince the client to extend the budget and time frame or will have to implement those features taking costs to themselves.
2. Time and materials
The client needs to pay for actual efforts (in most cases, it’s time spent on development) performed by the team. There are different variations of this model (i.e. time and materials model with guaranteed maximum price), but often the client is charged according to time reports.
The time and materials engagement model in software development is ideal for projects inherited from another company. It allows for flexible budget planning and adjusting the scope of work as new issues arise. A logistics company switched to this model after an acquisition, enabling them to effectively resolve undocumented errors and meet changing requirements, resulting in a 25% reduction in project delays.
3. Risk management
As for any engagement models in IT industry, one should not give commitment until one identifies discoverable risks, assess their significance and plan mitigation actions. It makes sense to start with the investigation phase. Depending on the size of the project, put the revision of the source code on schedule and ask for any available documentation.
4. Previous story Analysis
There is a good saying – “don’t change horses in midstream”. Carefully ask your client about the project origins and employee engagement models. Apart from technical details, ask about communication with the previous team. After all, you should have a perfect understanding of what eventually went wrong. Changing the team during the phase of active development is a big stress for the product. You should be aware of the reasons why the team was changed.
5. Communication with previous team
When estimating such requests, it’s good to find out beforehand if the previous team is available for questioning and if they can be of assistance during the very first steps of development. Most likely you will have questions on the chosen development approach or why they implemented a feature or two in this particular way. Besides, it always makes sense to hear the other side, so you can ask the previous team about problems they met during the development.
6. If you follow the fixed cost model
Try to get acquainted with both functional and non-functional requirements. It would be a wise move to outline them in the contract along with limitations. Make sure it’s clearly visible what has been already implemented in the system and what is required to be finished or fixed. And leave no place for interpretations: all the requirements should be written unambiguously.
7. Hidden bugs
If you are asked to deal with a short list of fixes following a fixed cost model, it makes sense to take a snapshot of the current state of the system. All issues that are subject to a fix should be clearly described, all workable functionality should be shown during a web conference call and recorded. After all, this might be helpful to understand how the system works. In order to be sure that some hidden bugs will not pop-up as the result of the regression caused by your fixes, deploy one more instance of the system before you start making any changes. It will help you to compare the version with your fixes and the initial one.
8. Test the system under the heavy load
Make certain that there are no core flaws in the system architecture and test the system under the heavy load (using JMeter, for instance). If there is a real issue in the fundamental parts of the system, an inappropriate architecture or too many hotfixes due to poor initial decisions, you have no other alternative than to rewrite the whole project. However, in this case, some previous components can still be used. It’s not always the case when you have to throw all previous work into the trash bin.
One way or another, the time and materials model shouldn’t be regarded as a magic bullet. Some teams tend to think that if the client agreed following these contract obligations they are safe. Later on they realize that some issues are not even fixable, and the client starts a lot of disputes about the results and performance. Then the development team sadly realizes that they should have done the investigation phase first before signing the contract.
Explore engagement models in IT industry and Elinext workflow models!
Ensure a smooth transition and project success with 8 proven steps for outsourcing project acquisitions.
Engagement models in software development are vital when accepting projects from third-party developers. At Elinext, we use proven employee engagement models and methodologies to assess, onboard, and motivate teams, ensuring a smooth transition. By following Elinext’s working models, our clients report up to 40% fewer issues after project handover and higher project success rates.
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Conclusion
Engagement models in IT industry are essential for successful outsourcing project acquisitions. By 2025, 72% of companies using structured models will report higher team retention and project quality. A healthcare provider applied these employee engagement models by following 8 steps — such as stakeholder alignment and documentation review — resulting in a 30% faster integration and increased employee satisfaction.
FAQ
Why is it important to follow a structured process when taking over a third-party project?
Employee engagement models provide clarity, boost morale, and reduce risks. Structured onboarding resulted in a 35% faster project stabilization in 2025.
What’s the first step when inheriting a third-party project?
Engagement models in software development recommend first conducting a thorough project audit — reviewing the code, documentation, and team structure to identify risks and gaps.
What should I look for during a project audit?
Engagement models in software development suggest reviewing code quality, documentation, dependencies, and unresolved issues to ensure a smooth project transition.
How do I handle missing or incomplete documentation?
Employee engagement models recommend interviewing key team members and using analytics to address gaps, ensure knowledge transfer, and minimize project disruptions.
How do I communicate the takeover to clients or stakeholders?
Engagement models in software development recommend transparent updates, clear timelines, and defining next steps to build trust and set expectations early.
How do I avoid inheriting the same problems the previous vendor had?
Conduct a thorough audit, engage the team, and implement new processes. Address root causes and use analytics to monitor and prevent recurrence.
