The power of co-development

The power of co-development: the right balance for maximum value

In the rapidly evolving world of software development, product organizations are often faced with challenges such as scaling capacity, improving processes and making the right technological choices. In this dynamic environment, co-development is increasingly seen as a strategic approach to address these challenges. Co-development, where a product organization collaborates with an agency, can take various forms and can be used to scale up capacity, improve processes or achieve a combination of both.

Finding the right balance

One of the essential aspects of a successful co-development collaboration is finding the right balance. This balance includes not only the division of responsibilities between the product organization and the agency, but also the integration of technical expertise and process improvements. Let's explore this dynamic with a concrete example: DELTA, a national telecom organization that we, as Thesio, have been working for for some time. DELTA already has many things in order regarding processes, agile working methods and tooling, but needs technical content and capacity for the development of various web and mobile applications.

Focus on technology

When working with DELTA, the focus of the collaboration is sometimes more on technology, with us taking the lead as an agency. This may be the case, for example, when DELTA needs specific technological expertise that is not available internally. As an agency, we then act as an extension of DELTA's internal team, with our tech lead playing a central role in determining the technical direction and delivering high-quality technological solutions.

Shared product ownership

In other situations with other clients, the emphasis of the collaboration is sometimes more on process improvement and making the right choices in, for example, backlog prioritization. Here, the agency can act as a strategic partner that helps identify and implement best practices in software development. Our project managers then often take on a leading role, almost like a product owner, to ensure that the development process runs efficiently and that the right functionalities are delivered at the right time. In ideal situations, there is shared product ownership, in which the client makes choices in priority and internal alignment and we then ensure that the right functionality is developed within the most optimal time.

The right balance ensures the creation of the greatest value

These examples illustrate the diversity of co-development collaborations and highlight the importance of finding the right balance. Whether it's increasing technical capacity, improving processes, or a combination of both, the key to success lies in creating maximum value for all parties involved. This requires close cooperation and a mutual understanding of each other's expertise and goals.

A successful co-development partnership is based on transparency, open communication and a shared commitment to achieving common goals. It's not just about delivering high-quality technological solutions, but also about creating a lasting relationship based on trust and collaboration. By continuously striving for the right balance in co-development, product organizations such as DELTA can continue to innovate and grow in an ever-changing technological landscape.

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