Building a high-performing nearshore software team: a guide

The rise of nearshore software development has changed how companies build and scale their digital products. Instead of outsourcing halfway around the world, more organizations are turning to nearby countries with strong technical talent, overlapping time zones, and cost advantages. 

This guide explores what it takes to build a high-performing nearshore software team that consistently delivers quality, efficiency, and innovation.

Why companies are turning to nearshore software teams

The global demand for software talent continues to outpace supply. According to a Gartner survey, over 64% of IT leaders report skill shortages as a key barrier to digital transformation. 

Nearshore software models address this by connecting companies with skilled developers in neighboring regions where collaboration is easier, costs are lower, and project management feels more seamless.

For North American companies, Latin America has become a preferred destination. Countries like Brazil, Peru, and Colombia are now producing thousands of highly trained software engineers each year. 

Time zone alignment means real-time collaboration without the late-night calls required in offshore models. Communication happens naturally, and teams can participate in daily standups, sprint reviews, and agile planning sessions without friction.

Beyond logistics, there is a cultural alignment factor. Teams in Latin America and the U.S. often share similar communication styles, problem-solving approaches, and work ethics. This makes nearshore software partnerships more predictable and productive.

At Bertoni Solutions, this approach is at the core of how teams are built. By leveraging top talent across Latin America, Bertoni Solutions provides companies with full-cycle development teams that integrate easily into their operations without the challenges of managing offshore complexity.

Building the foundation of a high-performing nearshore team

Performance starts long before the first sprint. It begins with setting up the right structure, expectations, and communication flow. A high-performing nearshore team shares the same clarity, ownership, and agility as an internal team.

1. Define goals and responsibilities

Every developer, tester, and project manager should understand how their work contributes to the business outcome. Clarity minimizes rework and builds accountability. Companies that take the time to map ownership at every level often see faster onboarding and smoother execution.

2. Evaluate culture fit

The second pillar is culture. Distributed work requires deliberate culture-building. Simple actions such as regular check-ins, open communication channels, and shared rituals (like end-of-sprint retrospectives) build trust and alignment. Tools like Slack, Jira, and Notion make this structure possible, but human consistency makes it effective

3. Establish discipline

Third is process discipline. Agile frameworks such as Scrum or Kanban remain the backbone of successful nearshore teams. They allow for incremental delivery, transparent progress tracking, and quick adjustments when priorities shift. A mature nearshore partner will already have these workflows in place, ensuring predictability from day one.

Here at Bertoni Solutions, we apply this principle by embedding teams directly into clients’ environments while maintaining internal quality oversight. This hybrid model ensures flexibility without sacrificing accountability or delivery speed.

Common challenges in  a nearshore software team

Every distributed model faces challenges. The most common issues include miscommunication, cultural misalignment, or unclear expectations. Successful teams approach these not as roadblocks but as operational realities that can be managed through structure.

Communication should be frequent and structured. Daily or bi-daily standups prevent small issues from escalating. Leaders must create an open feedback culture where developers feel comfortable flagging risks or suggesting improvements. In nearshore models, psychological safety translates directly into technical quality.

Another common challenge is uneven performance across developers. This can occur when the team lacks standardized review processes. Implementing code reviews, automated testing, and peer feedback loops ensures a consistent standard of excellence. It also helps less experienced developers grow under guidance.

Time zone alignment can be an advantage only if it is used effectively. The overlap hours should be reserved for collaboration-heavy work: design discussions, backlog grooming, or client demos. Deep work can then happen asynchronously. 

The teams that master this rhythm outperform those that treat nearshore partners as task executors rather than strategic contributors.

Bertoni’ Solutions' teams operate with these principles in mind. Every engagement starts with a framework for communication, accountability, and quality control. This ensures each project runs like an integrated unit rather than a disconnected extension.

Scaling and optimizing your nearshore software partnership

Once the foundation is set, the focus shifts to scalability and optimization. Scaling a nearshore software team is not only about adding more developers but about maintaining quality as capacity grows.

Continuous improvement is key. The most effective teams run periodic retrospectives not only for technical work but also for communication, processes, and delivery methods. This creates a feedback loop that strengthens collaboration over time.

Performance metrics should go beyond speed or cost. Track defect rates, sprint completion rates, code quality, and stakeholder satisfaction. When measured consistently, these indicators highlight strengths and expose areas that need process improvement.

Another area of focus is knowledge retention. In long-term partnerships, documenting decisions, architecture, and key learnings prevents dependency on specific individuals. This enables scalability without compromising institutional memory.

Finally, alignment must remain consistent as the business evolves. When priorities shift, the nearshore team should adapt quickly. The right partner understands this and adjusts resources, skills, and processes accordingly.

Our own engagement model is built to support this kind of flexibility. Teams can expand or reconfigure based on client needs, maintaining the same leadership structure and delivery cadence. This approach ensures businesses scale efficiently while keeping a consistent standard of quality and communication.

Choosing the right nearshore software partner

The choice of partner determines how smooth and successful your nearshore experience will be. Look for providers with a proven technical track record, transparent management structure, and strong client references. A good nearshore partner acts as a strategic extension of your organization, not just a supplier.

Evaluate how they recruit, train, and retain their talent. Ask about the tools they use for collaboration and the methods they apply to ensure accountability. The strongest partners focus not only on code delivery but also on alignment with your internal culture and business objectives.

Bertoni Solutions has refined this process over years of working with clients across industries. Its teams are built around shared ownership, measurable outcomes, and consistent delivery quality. That combination allows companies to enjoy the benefits of nearshore software development without the risk and overhead of managing remote teams independently.

Final thoughts

Building a high-performing nearshore software team requires structure, communication, and a partner who understands how to align people, processes, and technology toward shared goals. When done right, nearshore development can accelerate innovation, reduce operational costs, and extend internal capacity without compromising quality.

If you are ready to scale your engineering capabilities and want to explore nearshore software solutions built for performance, reach out to us. Our team will help you design, assemble, and manage a nearshore software operation that performs like an in-house team, without the hiring bottlenecks. Book a consultation now!