Long-term VS. Short-term Projects

There are so many types of software development projects to choose from nowadays it can be overwhelming at times. And the truth is, not all projects are created equal. Some projects will help develop your skills and advance your career, while others could be best described as “placeholders” - ensuring income until something better comes along.?

One of the greatest perks of working as an independent contractor or freelance developer is that you get to choose your next project. Based on your personal goals, you can easily pick the one that will help you reach your next career step. So how do you choose the right project??

In this article, we’ll focus on project length as one of the key deciding factors:

The Difference Between Short-term & Long-term Projects

When it comes to project length preference, there is no right or wrong choice. Both types have their pros and cons, and both could be great options depending on your current situation.?

The main thing to consider is how much time you’re willing to commit to a single product. Short-term projects can last anywhere from a few days to a few months, while long-term projects last over six months and sometimes take years to complete. However, project duration is not the only thing to keep in mind.?

Here is a quick overview of short-term and long-term projects and their general differences:?

Developer Personality Differences

If you take a closer look, you’ll see that certain types of developers are drawn to certain types of projects. To demonstrate their differences, let’s take a look at two generalized examples:

Mario is a front-end developer who recently graduated from college and has one year of client experience. After graduation, he decided to become a freelancer because it gives him more freedom and control. He loves trying out the latest technologies and working on interesting projects that allow him to quickly learn new skills. However, he wants to travel as much as he can in his 20s, so he prefers to stay flexible and avoid long-term commitments.?

Short-term projects are a great option for Mario - they enable him to gain versatile experience in a short period of time and stay open to new opportunities in the near future. In general, developers who are spontaneous, dynamic, and want to have more freedom in their careers are more likely to choose short-term projects. They tend to be younger than those who prefer long-term projects and usually choose them based on interest, trends, or profit.?

On the other hand, we have our second example:

Lena is a full-stack developer with over 10 years of experience. She’s been working on the same project for 3 years now, recently making her way up to a team lead position. She loves working with her team and believes they’re creating a great product that will make a difference in the global market. As a single mother that has just put a down payment on a new house, she prefers working on projects that promise stability. Her company offers a great benefits package and free daycare, so she doesn’t feel like searching for other projects on her own.

Long-term projects are for those that like to “play it safe” and focus on developing expertise. Developers who prefer them tend to be logical, responsible, and practical. Some don’t enjoy job-hopping and looking for new clients every couple of months, while others like a steady paycheck. Either way, long-term projects are all about creating something that will last and make an impact, so it’s natural to gain a lot of in-depth knowledge. If you want to become highly skilled in a specific field of work, investing your time in a long-term project could be the way to go.??

Projects at Digihey

What about our projects at Digihey - are they short-term or long-term? Let’s just say there is something for everybody.?

About 95% of our projects are long-term projects for international clients, focused on creating high-quality software solutions that make a global impact. We build long-lasting partnerships and stay with our clients from the start to the finish. During that time, our developers work with industry experts from all over the world and learn by overcoming specific challenges in product development. After the final release, we tend to continue our partnership by taking up new projects or improving existing products.?

The other 5% includes our short-term projects, mostly reserved for our Junior developers to gain new skills and experiences in practice. Working independently with clients teaches them to be good communicators and problem-solvers, which is a great foundation for further professional development.??

Whether you prefer long-term or short-term projects, we’re sure we’ll find something to match your needs. Take a look at our career page and join our Digihey team - We’re always looking for new tech enthusiasts!

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Written by: Helena Grahovac