RPG Developer – How to Find the Ideal Fit for Your Project?

Are you struggling to find RPG developers to work on your project?

You are not alone in this lane.

There are hundreds of other CTOs using the AS400 iSeries, sharing the same boat as you.

But, is it really that hard to find the right RPG developers to build your RPG applications?

Let’s break the ice!

A few years ago, some speculations started rumbling about the lack of expertise and experienced AS400 rpg programmers.

According to the chaos, the expert RPG developers, more of the first brains infused with RPG programming, are aging & and retiring.

Yes, this was a calling for the AS400 talent pool shrinkage.

But what caused the shrinkage?

It was no one else, but CTOs like you who wanted to the best RPG developers to work on their AS400 iSeries applications. Well, there is nothing wrong with expecting only the best to join your team.

But, coming back to the hard reality of it, there is definitely no shrinkage or lack of iSeries RPG developers.

Yes, we have to agree that a few of the IBM technologies have outgrown old and have very few experts taking care of systems built over, but not RPG for sure!

Moreover, RPG AS400 codes have evolved over the years, from copyrighted to open, from a rigid structure to RPG ILE, and from RPG language to AS400 RPG “free form.”

In short, IBM modified its code and operating system over the years, which conserved its domination. That transformation allowed for transitions from legacy systems to modern RPGs.

This is an intelligent move from the IBM iSeries since young?iSeries RPG programmers?were learning the new AS400 RPG language at college.

Putting all this into perspective – Yes, it is difficult to find the right set of RPG developers to work on your project.

Can it get any easier?

Yes, it can.

How?

You need to figure out,

• What should be the approach to hiring RPG Developers?
• What role RPG developers are going to play in IBM iSeries application development?
• What experience should the RPG developer bring in to help you better?

Let’s find the answers for you!

? Table of Contents

• What should be the approach to hiring RPG developers?
• What role RPG developers are going to play in IBM iSeries application development?
• What experience should RPG developers bring in to help you better?
• How RPG Developers at Integrative Systems can help you?
• Conclusion

What should be the approach to hiring RPG developers?

As a CTO, you need to ensure that you get rid of the myth that the pool of RPG developers is shrinking.

Embrace the belief that there is enough RPG talent available – if you have your RPG development requirements clearly stated.

Why?

Because there are different approaches that you can take to accomplish your RPG development goal – you can choose to hire an in-house team of RPG programmers or you can opt to augment your in-house team with very specific RPG expertise.

How Should I Decide on the Right Approach to Hire AS400 RPG Programmers?

As discussed earlier, there are broadly two approaches that you can choose from:

• Hire an in-house team of RPG developers
• Augment & and extend your in-house team with skilled RPG programmers

Bad news – it’s a tough call to make.

Good news – you win either way, as both approaches have their own set of pros & and cons.

You have to simply choose the approach that serves the purpose for you, and of course, has less on the account of cons!

Let’s first understand the pros and cons of both approaches – which will bring more clarity to decision-making.

Hire in-house RPG Developers

Hiring an in-house team of RPG developers is indeed a great approach.

This approach gives you the leverage to –

• Hire RPG programmers from your own vicinity
• Establish a culture where teams are aligned with business processes
• Build and lead a team of RPG developers who work dedicatedly on your project
• See your project shaping up right next to your eyes
• Own the sole responsibility for the development initiative
• Keep the progress in check and adapt to changes quickly

However, also included the risk of –

• Inability to scale the team size up & and down as required
• Grinding time and money to find potential hires
• Hires leaving you when the project is midway
• The costs of training, tools, & and infrastructure
• Failure to meet expected time to the market
• Painful micromanagement overheads
• Losing the grip on the progress

Hire an Augmented Team of RPG Programmers

Hiring an augmented team of RPG developers is yet another alternative that you can choose.

Uncertain about it? Don’t be!

Before we go towards the pros and cons of hiring an augmented team, let’s understand when you should consider taking this route.

Augmenting talent is worth considering when you are –

• Running on a tight delivery schedule
• Unsure of project scope/requirements
• In need of specific domain/technical expertise

Augmented teams bring you the leverage with –

• RPG developers filling in for specific development requirements
• Access to a larger pool of RPG talent to choose from
• Access to proven expertise in your domain of work
• Ready to hire RPG programmers who can start immediately
• Existing risk exposure that saves you time & and costs
• Surety with a proven track record for expected time-to-market

However, it also involves the risk of –

• Integrity breach
• Differences in work culture
• Unavoidable painful exit clauses
• Inescapable communication gaps
• Lack of domain/industrial exposure
• Unseeable hefty charges for services
• Delayed deliverables and wavering commitments

How to Strike the Golden Middle Between In-House & Outsourced AS/400 Developers?

Overwhelmed already?

Don’t be!

We understand that both of the approaches mentioned above, with a dedicated set of pros and cons, are making you conscious to make that decision.

Here are some key questions that will help you decide quickly –

• Are you working on a top-priority RPG development project?
• What are the parameters of ROI for your RPG development project?
• Is your internal team of RPG developers entirely dedicated to this project?
• Do you sense a need for additional RPG talent to support the in-house team?
• How much time & and cost will it take to hire new RPG programmers on your in-house team?
• Do you need a full-fledged RPG development team or specific RPG skills will serve the purpose?
• Are you comfortable & and ready to handle an augmented team of RPG developers?
• How soon can the newly hired RPG programmers catch up pace to work on your project?
• Is the cost of delay in delivery of your project high?
• Is the cost of rework on your project high?

With answers to all those questions, you will have figured out your cost and benefits equations.

This will put you at ease in making your decision to hire an in-house team of RPG developers or augment your team with specialized RPG talent.

Read More: https://www.integrativesystems.com/rpg-developer/