Verified Teams is on a mission to eliminate risk in outsourced product development services. We believe that we can do this by doing two important jobs: Finding the most dependable developers, and managing risks.

Job 1: Be the Michelin Guide of Developers

Verified Teams obsesses over what makes for a good developer, and hunt down the best developers on the planet. We do this in 3 steps:

  1. Referrals: Developers can't apply to be part of Verified Teams. Instead, we get referrals from people we trust, and who have had a positive experience with a developer. If we can triangulate further evidence of the developer's quality, then we reach out to them.
  2. Interviews: We talk to the owner and managers of the agency to understand the nature of their company, and to see if they align with what we consider to be our ethos. If they look good and sign our Code of Conduct, we dig deeper.
  3. Vetting: We carefully gather unbiased information that helps us assess important risks that drive success in outsourced product development projects. We look at their financials, talk to their past clients, and look closely at their team. If we're confident enough about them to guarantee success, then they're a Verified Agency.
Who we won't verify
We've learnt not to verify freelancers, new and fast-growing agencies, very large agencies, or agencies without an entity registered in a robust legal jurisdiction. No doubt, there are marvellous people out there that we're overlooking with this approach. Yet, we feel that the path towards the least risk is in smaller and stable operations with established support systems.

Job 2: Hunting Down Project Risks

There are common risks in outsourced development projects which are best monitored and mitigated by an objective third party. A Verified Teams Risk Manager's job is to first understand these risks and where they stem from, and to verify that that they're being mitigated throughout the project life cycle.

The biggest source of risk to a project are:

  1. Wrong Project: Projects may fail due to unrealistic goals, unfeasible budgets or timelines, or overlooked off-the-shelf solutions.
  2. Under-defined Scope: Missing UX/UI design, unclear documentation, and lack of prioritization lead to inefficiencies and misaligned expectations.
  3. Miscommunication: Poorly defined reporting rhythms, cultural differences, and lack of centralized tools result in misunderstandings and project delays.
  4. Key Personnel Turnover: Loss of critical team members or client decision-makers, combined with insufficient handover practices, jeopardizes project continuity.

How we hunt down risk:

  • Setting the foundations of success: We work with the client and the agency towards a clear and realistic scope that satisfies their needs, with a budgets and schedules that sits comfortably within the client's constraints. We also set a process of project monitoring and communication that is mutually understood.
  • Pre-flight check: Before the contract commences, we do a final check that important risks are being mitigated, such as senior level support for the project, the right talent being available, and that commitments have been made.
  • Risk monitoring: Consistently and repeatedly checking the for evidence of changes in our assessments of important project risks. When risks rise, we take action.

Our Deposit System

Nobody should benefit from a failed project - a principle that is enshrined in our Code of Conduct. To uphold this, we implement a deposit system where a portion of all payments is set aside as a safeguard.

This deposit serves two purposes: To offer refunds to the client if the project fails, or to award it as a bounty to the agency upon successful project completion.

The deposit amount is carefully calibrated—large enough to motivate both parties and reflect typical software development margins, but not so large as to increase risks of conflict. Verified Teams’ revenue is tied to this deposit, ensuring we are equally invested in project success.

If either party violates our Code of Conduct, the deposit will be transferred to the non-offending party, all agreements are terminated, and the project is cancelled—further reinforcing our commitment to working only with good actors.

Working with Verified Teams means having a trusted partner who advocates for your success, providing clear progress updates, proactive risk management, and peace of mind throughout your project. With a dedicated Risk Manager by your side and a proven process to deliver results, you can focus on your goals while we ensure your project stays on track.

Ready to eliminate the stress and uncertainty of outsourcing? Contact us today to start your journey with Verified Teams and set your project up for success.