The practice of strategically supplementing an existing software development group with external specialists is a common approach to addressing skill gaps or scaling capacity. For example, a company facing a deadline for a new feature release might engage experienced front-end developers to integrate with their in-house team, accelerating the development process without committing to long-term hires.
This method provides several advantages, including access to niche expertise, improved project velocity, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional hiring. Historically, organizations have used staff extension models to manage fluctuating project demands and maintain a competitive edge by leveraging a global talent pool. The availability of skilled individuals enables companies to rapidly adapt to changing market requirements.