The Software Contractors Guild
The Software Contractors Guild Is a network of experienced professionals who help software contractors meet, learn, organize, and succeed in business. SCG can help contractors hone their project skills with presentations and discussions on structuring projects, proven development methodologies, industry trends, and new technologies. SFG will also be a resource for conveniently providing vetted technical documents that go hand in hand with different development methodologies. SCG can also be a resource for companies who are looking for people to help with manpower on larger contracts.
Because nobody can be experts on everything, small teams, freelancers, and even larger firms will always need help in some areas. To help people make the right decisions and cover all the bases SFG will include experts from a broad range of domains including contracts, devops, network administration, project management, design/UX, and programming. This can help contractors fill the experience gaps in their projects with both advice and even people to actively help out and bill on projects when necessary.
Beyond the standard local networking, meet ups, and presentations. I think the most valuable thing SCG could provide is solid contractual documents. Things like vetted contracts, Software Requirement Specification templates, and spreadsheets to help with estimation. People who are starting out in the industry always lack these tools. Having a set of them ready to go along with project lifecycle milestones helps keep the project on track and prevents miscommunication.
What do you guys think?