Frequently asked questions
Many companies we speak with have similar questions before engaging an external product team.
Below are the most common ones and how we address them.
What if we already have an internal team?
That works too!
Then we define clear ownership boundaries.
We can:
- Take ownership of a subproduct
- Own a specific module
- Accelerate delivery on a new product line
We integrate into your workflow without disrupting your structure.
Are you an outsourcing agency?
No.
Outsourcing usually means “here are developers, manage them.”
We operate differently. Once we start working together, the team becomes part of your startup or company.
It is your product. Your roadmap. Your priorities.
We are simply the structured tech engine behind it.
What if we already have a CTO?
We collaborate with CTOs regularly.
As startups grow, the CTO role shifts from writing code to:
- Budgeting
- Long-term architecture
- Team structure
- Vision alignment
We provide complementary skills that strengthen the CTO, not replace him or her.
How do we get started?
We begin with a discovery conversation.
Then the next step is usually:
- A working session with your CTO or technical decision maker
- Clarifying product vision
- Understanding current maturity
- Identifying the biggest blockers
Only after that do we propose a team structure and engagement model.
We never jump into execution without alignment.
What exactly do you provide?
We provide a complete product team, not individual developers.
That means:
- Product ownership
- Project management
- Developers
- QA
- DevOps support
We can take ownership of a product or a clearly defined part of it, from discovery to delivery to continuous
improvement.
You do not coordinate freelancers. You get a structured unit that runs like an internal department.
How do you make sure the team is the right fit?
Recruitment is our core expertise.
The biggest challenge in software development is not coding. It is assembling the right people.
We:
- Match the team to your CTO’s strengths
- Add complementary skills
- Calibrate early
- Adjust when needed
The configuration phase at the beginning is critical. We invest time there to prevent long-term friction
How do you prevent loss of control?
This is one of the biggest fears we hear.
You remain in control because:
- We work in two-week sprints
- Scope is aligned weekly or bi-weekly
- You can join internal sprint discussions
- Progress is visible in tools like Jira
- Decisions are documented
We operate transparently. There is no “black box development.”
What tools do you use?
We typically use:
- Jira for project management
- Confluence for documentation
- Discord for communication
If you already use other tools, we integrate or adapt. We are flexible
How do you prevent time burn in a subscription model?
We avoid time-based ambiguity by:
- Defining sprint goals
- Reviewing progress weekly
- Delivering incremental results
- Aligning scope continuously
The subscription model provides capacity. Delivery is continuously validated.
You always see what is being built.
What engagement models do you offer?
Continuous Partnership
A fixed monthly capacity team.
Every two weeks:
- Align
- Deliver
- Review
- Adjust
This creates predictability and avoids constant re-estimation negotiations.
Fixed Scope
If the scope is clearly defined, we can agree on a fixed price.
The better the input and technical clarity, the stronger the estimate.
Do you handle QA?
Yes. QA is integrated into the team.
We do not just “build and hope.” We validate.
Quality assurance includes:
- Functional testing
- Validation against requirements
- Structured release cycles
QA is not an afterthought. It is part of the production system
Isn’t QA checking your own homework?
No. Once we work together, it is one team.
The QA’s objective is product quality. Not defending developers. Not protecting Wise Minds.
The objective is your product success
Do you handle DevOps and infrastructure?
Yes. DevOps support is included in the team setup.
We cover:
- Deployment
- Environment setup
- CI/CD
- Technical reliability
What about support after launch?
We handle technical support and maintenance.
We do not operate call centers or first-line helpdesk services.
But when technical issues arise, they are handled by the team.
How is intellectual property handled?
We sign:
- NDA
- IP transfer agreement
- Service contract
You own:
- Codebase
- Architecture
- Documentation
- Infrastructure
What is the contract structure?
Typically:
- 3-month probation period
- Then 1-year agreement
- 3-month cancellation notice
We aim for long-term relationships, not transactional engagements
How fast can you start?
Immediately after signing:
- Within two weeks we start onboarding
- At least one team member typically starts within that window
- Full team ramp-up follows shortly after
We prioritize speed, especially for startups seeking investor traction.
Why startups?
Because meaningful innovation starts there.
Startups move fast. They need structure. They need predictability.
We provide the tech backbone that allows founders to focus on growth and funding.
What makes Wise Minds different?
We combine:
- Technical architecture expertise
- Recruitment excellence
- Structured delivery processes
- Transparent collaboration
- Startup mindset
We do not just write code.
We help companies build sustainable tech organizations.