Brainhub

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

We’ve grown from having 10 clients or so to now having 60–70. There’s been quite a bit of growth in the client base, but also on the platform itself. We have about 200,000 unique visitors per month.

How did Brainhub perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was very good. For an outsourced firm, they’re top notch in communication compared to what I’ve seen from other companies, and they’re also very professional.

They have a sort of project manager even though it’s not a true project manager; it’s someone who is organizing the project and who speaks English fluently. I also had direct contact with the developer and their CTO, who both also speak English pretty well. From a communication perspective, it was really great.

What did you find most impressive about Brainhub?

I would say their technical expertise and raw talent are what most impresses me. It’s unique to have an outsourced company that stays on top of things. They’re on the cutting edge when it comes to knowing the different trends in the market and are on par with most U.S. firms that I’ve dealt with.

Are there any areas Brainhub could improve?

They’re not that big of a company, so if you want to scale up quickly, they can’t do it right away. You will have to wait about two months or so when another project ends for them to be able to put someone else on your project.

The quality wasn’t as consistent as far as project management; throughout the year, we’ve had different people working in different capacities while organizing the project. It was always good, but it was great when their CTO was involved. There have been some inconsistencies depending on who is in charge of the project, although they communicate well when there’s a change of personnel. They’ve gone above and beyond to correct things, even giving discounts when something wasn’t communicated correctly. They’re very invested in making this project work.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Brainhub?

They’re at their best when you have a clearly defined and somewhat contained project. If you have very clear expectations and talk those through with them, then they’re going to be very good at making progress and communicating it well. They do their best work when you give them the freedom to do things the way they want to solve them and basically do a project-based basis.

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

The platform is not in use by clients, but I have access to a part of the system and have been satisfied with what Brainhub has created.

How did Brainhub perform from a project management standpoint?

They represent our entire technology department, and I see the team more as employees or colleagues, rather than providers of software. We have a dedicated team which will continue to grow. It is made up of three full-stack developers, a UX designer, and a product owner. The latter position has been shared between the CEO of Brainhub and their tech lead, who is basically our CTO.

What did you find most impressive about Brainhub?

I have worked with other outsourcing partners, and I was initially against using another one, given the resources I’d have to put in. What made Brainhub stand out was that I haven’t had to micromanage them in any way. Instead of saying yes to everything I tell them, they are able to think for themselves, and have shown great enthusiasm and understanding around the product we’re building. The team has challenged me with the right questions, and have surprised me many times by giving me more than what I initially asked them to build, or what I was hoping for.

Brainhub has a dedicated team and an excellent product owner who has taken over my role as CTO. They have personal stakes in the project, which is great.

Are there any areas Brainhub could improve?

It would be hard to say. Brainhub is using best practices, and they document the work well. They do cost more than some of the competition, but the quality of work is more than I could hope for.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Brainhub?

For someone looking for a competent team, Brainhub is the best choice, but they are not ideal for those used to micromanaging people. I could recommend them, but I need more resources myself, so I’ve chosen to keep Brainhub a secret.