How To Test A New Dev Team With A Pilot Sprint

Before fully committing to a new development team

it’s wise to run a pilot sprint.

This limited-time engagement reveals how effectively the team collaborates, responds to feedback, and produces outcomes

without making a long-term investment.




Start by defining a small, manageable project

that mirrors the kind of work you’ll ask them to do regularly.

It should be complex enough to reveal strengths and weaknesses

but simple enough to complete in one to two weeks.




Set clear goals and success metrics upfront

such as delivering a working feature, meeting deadlines, or maintaining code quality.

Assign a product owner or liaison from your side

to work closely with the team,

ensuring everyone understands requirements and нужна команда разработчиков expectations.




Require daily syncs while promoting psychological safety in feedback

—this will show you how the team collaborates and handles blockers.




Compare the final deliverables to the initial commitments.

Assess both the results and the methodology behind them.

Were syncs focused and actionable?

Did the team adapt to changes?

Did the team leave behind usable reference materials?




Conduct one-on-one interviews to uncover true experiences

about their experience working together and with your organization.




Note whether they respond constructively to suggestions

and whether they take ownership of issues.




Apply your findings to assess cultural fit, technical competence, and operational compatibility.




A pilot sprint isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning.

What you learn will guide your choice: extend the partnership or seek a more compatible team.