Bench (on the bench)
Software house slang for employees between projects: paid but not billable, so the vendor wants to place them on a client as soon as possible.
A person “on the bench” costs the vendor money every day, which shapes sales: a vendor with a full bench can start tomorrow and may push for a bigger team, while one with an empty bench may need to hire before starting. Bench time is also used for training, internal tools and presales. For a buyer it explains why a vendor offers a specific person quickly, and why that person may move to another client later.
Related terms
- Staff augmentation (team extension, body leasing): Renting developers from a vendor to work inside your team under your direction, instead of buying a project with an agreed result.
- Key person clause: A contract term naming specific people on the vendor’s team who cannot be replaced without the buyer’s consent or notice and a handover.
- Rate card and blended rate: A rate card lists the vendor’s hourly or daily price per role and seniority; a blended rate is one average price for the whole team mix.
