Optimal Team Structure and Stack for Various Startups
Startups often operate within the delicate balance of minimal resources and considerable uncertainty. As a CTO or Head of Engineering, your job involves much more than overseeing a group of coders. It's about managing these challenges while nurturing growth and navigating the unknowns characteristic of early-stage companies. In this article, we'll delve into the crucial elements of optimal team size, tech stack, and structure that can help scale your startup effectively.
Why Team Size Matters
The size of the team plays a pivotal role in managing the demands of a startup. Teams, in general, are more resilient than individuals. If only one person is responsible for a critical aspect of your project, it becomes high risk due to the possibility of that individual underperforming or leaving. To mitigate this risk, most teams should be at least two to three members, fostering collaboration and redundancy whenever possible. This redundancy might entail team members crossing departmental lines and stepping into roles outside of their primary skill set.
However, having a larger team does not necessarily equate to increased productivity. The ideal size depends on your company's unique circumstances, including project complexity, the skills of your team members, and your managerial capacity.
Tech Stack Selection: Full Stack Advantage
Tech stacks are a crucial consideration for startups as flexibility is key. Full-stack developers, proficient in both frontend and backend technologies, can maximize this flexibility, which is why a Node.js backend can be hugely advantageous. If your startup follows a rigid prioritization approach across the company, you'll want as much flexibility as possible. In most cases, teams are split across frontend and backend due to the natural interaction of the frontend with the backend API.
For B2B SaaS startups, while there are numerous language options, the full stack advantage of Node.js can be pivotal. However, this advantage may fade as the team grows beyond eight members, where people will likely specialize. In such instances, it's usually better to stick with a language that most of the team is comfortable with.
Team Structure: From Full Stack to Pods
Most engineering teams are split based on platform (iOS, Android, Web, Backend). However, as teams grow and tasks become more complex, specialized roles might be necessary.
Some companies, such as Spotify, use the "pod" model, which involves small engineering teams combined with product or designers. This model fosters alignment around business goals. However, in my opinion, this approach may not be realistic for most smaller startups, unless they are well-funded. It is more expensive and less flexible, but it solves a problem for large organizations with clear, long-standing goals.
Here are some specific suggestions for teams at various sizes:
1. Web-Only Frontend with Less Than Six Developers
For a web-only frontend project with less than six developers, I would suggest Node.js and React, so all developers can work full-stack, providing immense flexibility.
2. Web + Mobile Projects
For projects that include mobile applications, consider the Ionic framework or React Native. This approach allows for maintaining a single codebase across all frontend stacks, which is more cost-effective and less challenging than developing native apps in native code. As the frontend complexity increases with these frameworks, a larger backend-focused team would be beneficial, even with a team of six people.
3. Teams Building Native Apps in iOS/Android
For small teams developing native apps in iOS/Android, a minimum of eight members (two each for iOS, Android, Web, and Backend) is ideal to ensure redundancy. However, with teams of 12 or more, the structure becomes easier to manage, allowing for a more backend-focused team.
4. Salesforce/Other Platforms
For other platforms like Salesforce, it often makes sense to work with contracted developers. This approach requires strong product management and backend support, but it enables you to navigate 'foreign' ecosystems without losing focus on your primary tasks.
Conclusion
Scaling an engineering team in a startup involves striking a balance between team size, tech stack, and structure. This balance is not static but evolves with the growth of the company and the increasing complexity of projects. By considering the aspects discussed in this article, CTOs and Heads of Engineering can make informed decisions that not only scale their teams but also drive their startups toward success.