In some software development companies, he or she may also be the link between the development team and the project manager, while other organisations may employ a more flat structure, where all team members communicate with each other on equal terms. But there are, of course, some common denominators which distinguish this position from other developer roles.

Most common responsibilities of a team leader

The most common software development team lead responsibilities encompass a wide range of managerial, interpersonal and technical skills:

1. Set up clear standards and procedures of development

Software development should always be run within a certain framework of standards and procedures that have been set up by the team leader, in order to keep the code clean and the process in check.

Having a structured and well-organised setup prevents chaos and allows any new team members to be onboarded quickly and smoothly. And, of course, it improves the quality of the final product.

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2. Introduce clear instructions on a daily basis

A team leader sets the direction for development on the technical level. Giving instructions – and doing this in the right manner – is an important responsibility. Instructions should be clear and voiced in a polite tone, followed by a constructive explanation, whenever needed.

A leader also needs to ensure that the business context of a project, software development methodologies, along with the client’s requirements, are acknowledged and understood by the whole team, and then translated into individual expectations for each team member.

3. Prevent issues from arising and test new software solutions

A good team leader is also a skilled risk analyst when it comes to technical challenges, and has a solid plan for mitigating problems.

His or her job is to constantly conduct detailed assessments, in order to make the right decisions, prevent potential problems from coming up, solve emerging ones, and last but not least – detect business opportunities and innovative solutions that may be beneficial to the project.

However, even the best team leaders aren’t necessarily experts in everything. They just need to have the ability to make good use of team resources and technical expertise and know when some external help may be needed.

4. Monitor the quality of work (Quality Assurance)

A leader knows exactly where the team is in the development process at any given moment. Daily stand-up meetings allow him or her to know exactly what every team member is working on, and what obstacles they have to overcome in order to move forward flawlessly.

Speaking of the latter, part of a leader’s job is to evaluate whether a team can solve these problems relatively easily or if some internal reshuffling or external help may be needed. If a client or someone from project management wants to know about any details – the team leader would be the best person to ask.

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5. Motivate the team and prioritise the needs of the software team

It’s up to the leader to get the team engaged and focused on the project. Daily positive motivation, technical guidance, counteracting possible sources of demotivation, and appreciating the effort that people put into their jobs should be intertwined with constructive criticism.

And this needs to go both ways – the team cannot be afraid to voice their opinions or make suggestions. And speaking of the latter, it’s crucial for a good leader to actually listen to this feedback. Drawing valid conclusions and acting on them should be the natural next steps.

6. Work on team building and communication skills of team members

A big part of the problem-solving approach is making sure that people can communicate with each other effectively and honestly – whether they are working together onsite or remotely. Because being unclear or imprecise, hiding potential issues and holding grudges can hinder the team’s daily activities and disrupt the entire software development process.

A friendly and open atmosphere of collaboration can be fostered by a leader not only in the daily work routine, but also in various team-building activities – from having a longer lunch together or playing a game during a break, to going on a corporate retreat.

It’s the leader’s job to initiate things like this, from time to time.

7. Create and introduce reports of software development projects

Based on the detailed information that they thoroughly track, team leaders are able to create reports that can be introduced to project managers, clients and other decision makers, so they can act on these insights.

Moreover, team leaders also have to be skilled at making assessments, which is usually a good starting point for conducting risk analyses or for making further decisions.

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8. Onboard new members to software development team

Whenever a new addition to the team shows up, a leader is responsible for the onboarding process, making sure that they have everything they need, including: a proper workspace with the right equipment, a set of accounts and access to the necessary resources and tools, and so on.

They should also provide them with essential training for the job. Plus, an important part of team leadership is to assess whether a new person is a good addition to the group – both during the recruitment stage and later on, as the project progress.

9. Ensure that the team has appropriate technical competencies

Clients want to be provided with a certain set of competencies. A team leader’s role is to make sure that they are available, regardless of any HR-related fluctuations within a team.

This can be done through a number of initiatives, e.g., by hiring new experts, coaching and mentoring, consultations, and providing training whenever a knowledge gap has been identified.

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10. Be consistent in values and actions

There cannot be any discrepancy between what’s being said and what’s being done. A team leader has to be consistent in the values that the company holds, the methods used and the actions taken.

This is strongly associated with maintaining a good balance between the interests of all parties involved in the cooperation, since consistency allows a team leader to foster development towards mutual success.

What technical skills should a software team lead possess?

A software team lead should possess a robust set of technical skills to effectively guide their team and contribute to project success:

1. Programming languages: proficiency in one or more programming languages relevant to the team’s projects is essential.
2. Software Architecture: understanding of software architecture principles and patterns is crucial. This includes knowledge of different architectural styles (e.g., microservices, monolithic, serverless) and the ability to make informed decisions about system design.
3. Database technologies: familiarity with both relational (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra) databases, including query optimisation and data modeling.
4. DevOps and CI/CD: understanding of DevOps principles and experience with Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI.
5. Cloud Technologies: knowledge of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and cloud-native technologies like containerisation (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
6. API Design and Development: understanding of API-first design approach, API security, and experience with API development and documentation tools.
7. Testing tethodologies: knowledge of various testing approaches including unit testing, integration testing, and end-to-end testing, as well as familiarity with relevant testing frameworks.
8. Agile methodologies: understanding of Agile development practices and tools used in Agile environments (e.g., JIRA, Trello).
9. Cybersecurity best practices: awareness of cyber resilience and best practices in software development, including secure coding practices and common vulnerabilities.
10. Machine Learning/AI: basic understanding of machine learning concepts and tools can be beneficial, especially if the team works on AI-related projects.

It’s important to note that while a team lead should have a broad understanding of these areas, they don’t necessarily need to be an expert in all of them. The specific skills required can vary based on the team’s focus and the nature of their projects.

How does a team lead balance technical work with leadership duties?

A software team lead balances technical work with leadership duties through effective time management and strategic involvement. They often allocate specific time blocks for coding and leadership tasks, ensuring neither aspect is neglected. Delegation plays a crucial role, with the lead identifying tasks that can be handled by team members, thus freeing up time for leadership responsibilities.

Rather than being involved in every technical detail, team leads typically focus on high-level technical decisions, architecture planning, and solving complex problems. They maintain their technical skills by participating in code reviews, tackling critical components, and engaging in mentoring through pair programming.

Clear communication about their role and availability helps manage team expectations regarding their involvement in day-to-day coding tasks. Ultimately, the balance is dynamic, requiring constant adjustment based on project phases, team needs, and organisational requirements.

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How does a team lead foster collaboration within the team?

A team lead fosters collaboration within the team by creating an environment of open communication and mutual respect. They establish regular team meetings and informal check-ins to ensure information flows freely and relationships are built.

The lead emphasises shared responsibility, involving team members in decision-making processes and valuing their input, which creates a sense of collective ownership. They encourage cross-functional collaboration by pairing team members with different expertise and organising brainstorming sessions that bring together diverse perspectives.

Knowledge sharing is promoted through tech talks, code reviews, and informal learning events. The lead also ensures the team has access to effective collaborative tools and new software development technologies.

By addressing conflicts promptly and impartially, and creating a psychologically safe environment where risk-taking and questions are encouraged, the team lead cultivates a culture of trust and innovation.

Finally, they recognise and celebrate team achievements, reinforcing the value of collaborative efforts.

The benefits of having a good software development team leader

Team leaders have a lot of responsibilities but not every task has to be completed by the team leader personally. Leaders should always make sure that the job gets done, take initiative and follow up with the right people.

The benefits of having a good team leader are not to be underestimated. Among other things, they involve:

• increased engagement,
• higher chances of success,
• better control over the project,
• lower organisational inertia,
• smoother reactions to changes,
• operating in a more orderly fashion,
• more efficient and faster delivery,
• better quality results.

It is certainly worth the effort to select the right person for the position, since it will definitely pay off in the development process. And if you’re looking for some helpful tools or tips to lead a fully remote team, contact us!