Leading an offshore team - Revision history

Tkokotas at 14:54, 18 December 2018

2018-12-18T14:54:11Z

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			''Developed by Michael Nguyen''


	This article is based on an IT project which was made in a combination of onshore and offshore resources. The main point is to enlighten how the offshore team was managed online from an onshore location. The complications and practices used to manage this project will be described and explained.		This article is based on an IT project which was made in a combination of onshore and offshore resources. The main point is to enlighten how the offshore team was managed online from an onshore location. The complications and practices used to manage this project will be described and explained.
	The role of managers is changing rapidly and becoming more complex these days. This can be attributed to the diversity of people in relations of culture, language, geography, knowledge and skills. With these realities in mind, leading a team within normal conditions is a challenging task, and this will only become more complex and demanding to lead teams that are located on the other side of the world. It is arguably a fast paced tendency that companies outsource either parts or entire productions in order to improve factors such as efficiency and cost among others. You can be a great leader in person which requires a set of skills necessary to motivate and lead your team, but leading a team online is a different task.		The role of managers is changing rapidly and becoming more complex these days. This can be attributed to the diversity of people in relations of culture, language, geography, knowledge and skills. With these realities in mind, leading a team within normal conditions is a challenging task, and this will only become more complex and demanding to lead teams that are located on the other side of the world. It is arguably a fast paced tendency that companies outsource either parts or entire productions in order to improve factors such as efficiency and cost among others. You can be a great leader in person which requires a set of skills necessary to motivate and lead your team, but leading a team online is a different task.

Michaelnguyendtu at 19:42, 28 September 2015

2015-09-28T19:42:54Z

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	'''Plan pragmatic Onshore-Offshore''' <br>		'''Plan pragmatic Onshore-Offshore''' <br>
	Project Managers are often captivated in cost reduction, and find it easy to use offshore component as the fast way to achieve that. Instead of merely looking at the cost reduction with offshore resources, it is important to look at what is practically possible for an offshore team. By keeping the constraints of accessibility of the systems, complexity of the business processes, etc. which can be very hard to translate into different languages.		Project Managers are often captivated in cost reduction, and find it easy to use offshore component as the fast way to achieve that. Instead of merely looking at the cost reduction with offshore resources, it is important to look at what is practically possible for an offshore team. By keeping the constraints of accessibility of the systems, complexity of the business processes, etc. which can be very hard to translate into different languages.
	Expertise ~~can~~ be necessary to have ~~onshore~~ and having a complete offshore team will eliminate this opportunity.		Expertise will in most cases be necessary to have at the local location and having a complete offshore team will eliminate this opportunity.

	'''Managing your deliverables and issues with Document Management''' <br>		'''Managing your deliverables and issues with Document Management''' <br>
	~~Work~~ on a set of guidelines for document management development, test scenarios, test execution and results documentation. Using a document management tool ~~makes~~ the task easier. ~~Keep~~ in mind the issues related to accessibility of these systems from different locations and the effectiveness of ~~them~~ when ~~making~~ a ~~choice~~. It is important to invest time into a good Configuration Management document for deliverables and issues due to the offshore location of the development team. Prepare and agree on the templates that will be used for the various deliverables.		To manage the project it was necessary to work on a set of guidelines for document management development, test scenarios, test execution and results documentation. Using a document management tool made the task much easier. It is noticeable to keep in mind that the issues related to accessibility of these systems from different locations, and the effectiveness of this did cause problems when the client for instance was not satisfied with a solution, or if there was an emergency system fix that needed immediate attention . It is important to invest time into a good Configuration Management document for deliverables and issues due to the offshore location of the development team. Prepare and agree on the templates that will be used for the various deliverables.

	===Project method and Communication===		===Project method and Communication===

Michaelnguyendtu at 19:37, 28 September 2015

2015-09-28T19:37:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:37, 28 September 2015
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	'''Plan pragmatic Onshore-Offshore''' <br>		'''Plan pragmatic Onshore-Offshore''' <br>
	Project Managers are often captivated in cost reduction, and find it easy to use offshore component as the fast way to achieve that. Instead of merely looking at the ~~offshore cost that you would like to achieve in your project to reach a target~~ cost reduction, look at what is practically possible to offshore keeping the constraints of accessibility of the systems, complexity of the business processes, etc.		Project Managers are often captivated in cost reduction, and find it easy to use offshore component as the fast way to achieve that. Instead of merely looking at the cost reduction with offshore resources, it is important to look at what is practically possible for an offshore team. By keeping the constraints of accessibility of the systems, complexity of the business processes, etc. which can be very hard to translate into different languages.
	Expertise can be necessary to have onshore and having a complete offshore team will eliminate this opportunity.		Expertise can be necessary to have onshore and having a complete offshore team will eliminate this opportunity.

Michaelnguyendtu at 19:33, 28 September 2015

2015-09-28T19:33:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:33, 28 September 2015
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	'''Plan pragmatic Onshore-Offshore''' <br>		'''Plan pragmatic Onshore-Offshore''' <br>
	Project Managers are often captivated in ~~the~~ cost reduction ~~modes~~ and find it easy to use offshore component as the fast way to achieve that. Instead of merely looking at the offshore cost that you would like to achieve in your project to reach a target cost reduction, look at what is practically possible to offshore keeping the constraints of accessibility of the systems, complexity of the business processes, etc.		Project Managers are often captivated in cost reduction, and find it easy to use offshore component as the fast way to achieve that. Instead of merely looking at the offshore cost that you would like to achieve in your project to reach a target cost reduction, look at what is practically possible to offshore keeping the constraints of accessibility of the systems, complexity of the business processes, etc.
	Expertise can be necessary to have onshore and having a complete offshore team will eliminate this opportunity.		Expertise can be necessary to have onshore and having a complete offshore team will eliminate this opportunity.

Michaelnguyendtu at 19:32, 28 September 2015

2015-09-28T19:32:27Z

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	=='''Challenge'''==		=='''Challenge'''==
	The scope the project was to develop an EDMS system for LZ, customized to fit their specific needs. ~~The main perspective of the article was the challenges faced by the project manager leading an offshore team.~~		The scope of the project was to develop an EDMS system for LZ, customized to fit their specific needs. As main contractor ITX had the overall responsibility for the delivery of the final solution. Using a subcontractor IT-sub and offshore resources to customize their standard solution, conditions of successful deliverables was extensive and difficult. In order to understand LZ’s business needs and usage of the system which was critical for successful solution, ITX had to use Danish developers to make a full analysis, and translate these into a requirement document for the offshore developers. Additionally it was important that the developers from ITX had an understanding of how IT-sub’s EDMS system was built.
	As main contractor ITX had the overall responsibility for the delivery of the final solution. Using a subcontractor IT-sub and offshore resources to customize their standard solution, conditions of successful deliverables was extensive and difficult.		As cost saving was a necessity for the project to run, ITX had to use their offshore resources. Thus the real challenge was to incorporate the offshore team into the project. The standard EDMS system was delivered by IT-sub and ITX had the task to make the customizations with the usage of the offshore team.
	In order to understand LZ’s business needs and usage of the system which was critical for successful solution, ITX had to use Danish developers to make a full analysis, and translate these into a requirement document for the offshore developers. Additionally it was important that the developers from ITX had an understanding of how IT-sub’s EDMS system was built.		A difficult question to be answered is how much cost offshore resources can save the company in contrast to using more expensive onshore resources, without affecting the efficiency of the work delivered. Obstacles to overcome includes culture, working processes, language barriers, and being in different time zones which all contributes to the fact that this was no easy task.
	As cost saving was a necessity for the project to run, ITX had to use their offshore resources. Thus the real challenge was to incorporate the offshore team into the project. The standard EDMS system was delivered by IT-sub and ITX ~~now~~ had the task to make the customizations with the usage of the offshore team.
	A difficult question to be answered is how much cost offshore resources can save the company ~~contra~~ using more expensive onshore resources, without affecting the efficiency of the work delivered. Obstacles to overcome includes ~~such as~~ culture, working processes, language barriers, and being in different time zones all contributes to the fact that this was no easy task.

	=='''Solution'''==		=='''Solution'''==
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	https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira. '''Description:''' JIRA is a software used for project & issue tracking.		https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira. '''Description:''' JIRA is a software used for project & issue tracking.
	</ref>		</ref>
	~~That~~ included email alerts to relevant persons if comments or other ~~things~~ were assigned related to ~~the~~ specific task ~~or issue~~.		This included email alerts to relevant persons if comments or other problems were assigned related to a specific task.
	The project manager had the responsibility for the offshore team, resulting in translation of task and issues. In order to prepare for this, every task and issues was translated from Danish to English.		The project manager had the responsibility for the offshore team, resulting in translation of task and issues. In order to prepare for this, every task and issues was translated from Danish to English.
	The success ~~criteria’s~~ of leading this project was considered and the following points were essential to acknowledge and understand:		The success criterias of leading this project was considered and the following points were essential to acknowledge and understand:

	'''Knowing your team'''<br>		'''Knowing your team'''<br>
	It is not only important to know how to spell the name of a person, but also how you pronounce it. Though it might sound insignificant, ~~but~~ it is certainly important to address people correctly by their name. In projects, ~~I have encouraged~~ team members ~~onshore and offshore~~ to talk off topics and see each other visually through Skype or conference calls~~, which helped~~ to increase the connection between team members. ~~This helps to~~ attach a face to the person who sends ~~mails~~ and messages or with whom you speak through the phone.		It is not only important to know how to spell the name of a person, but also how you pronounce it. Though it might sound insignificant, it is certainly important to address people correctly by their name. In projects, it is important to encourage team members, to talk off topics and see each other visually through Skype or conference calls. This can help to increase the connection between team members. It also attach a face to the person who sends emails and messages or with whom you speak through the phone.

	[[File:Usage of foreing languages.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|right\|'''Picture 1:''' Illustration of communication between different languages]]		[[File:Usage of foreing languages.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|right\|'''Picture 1:''' Illustration of communication between different languages]]
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	'''Language barriers''' <br>		'''Language barriers''' <br>
	Working with a team at a remote location implicates that your communication skills have to be solid and precise in order for the offshore team to understand you and vice-versa. It is also important to take into account the level of English ~~working language with offshore team members~~. In Denmark~~, at~~ most clients~~, it is common to have~~ requirements, specifications and functional designs in Danish. In the same context, test scenarios and scripts ~~will~~ be prepared by offshore teams in English and hence review by the business teams need to be planned with people who can read and write English. It is highly recommended to include ~~having~~ a Danish speaking onshore person in your resource planning ~~available~~ to assist with the understanding of the scripts prepared to the business team. ~~This~~ is ~~only~~ to have a ~~liaison~~ in ~~place~~ to explain the right interpretation due to different language bases.		Working with a team at a remote location implicates that your communication skills have to be solid and precise in order for the offshore team to understand you and vice-versa. It is also important to take into account that it may be difficult to communicate with offshore team members due to the level of English. In Denmark most clients seeks requirements, specifications and functional designs in Danish. In the same context, test scenarios and scripts would be prepared by offshore teams in English and hence review by the business teams need to be planned with people who can read and write English. It is highly recommended to include a Danish speaking onshore person in your resource planning, to assist with the understanding of the scripts prepared for the business team. Thus it is important to have a local speaking person present in the team to explain the right interpretation due to different language bases.

Michaelnguyendtu at 19:12, 28 September 2015

2015-09-28T19:12:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:12, 28 September 2015
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	This article is based on an IT project which was made in a combination of onshore and offshore resources. The main point is how the offshore team was managed online from an onshore location. The complications and practices used to manage this project will be described and explained.		This article is based on an IT project which was made in a combination of onshore and offshore resources. The main point is to enlighten how the offshore team was managed online from an onshore location. The complications and practices used to manage this project will be described and explained.
	The role of managers is changing rapidly and becoming more complex these days. This can be attributed to the diversity of people in relations of culture, language, geography, knowledge and skills. With these realities in mind, leading a team within normal conditions is a challenging task~~. This~~ will only become more complex and demanding ~~leading~~ teams that are located on the other side of the world. It is arguably a fast paced ~~forward~~ tendency that companies outsource either ~~part~~ or entire productions in order to improve factors such as efficiency and cost among others. You can be a great leader in person which requires a set of skills necessary to motivate and lead your team, but leading a team online is a different task.		The role of managers is changing rapidly and becoming more complex these days. This can be attributed to the diversity of people in relations of culture, language, geography, knowledge and skills. With these realities in mind, leading a team within normal conditions is a challenging task, and this will only become more complex and demanding to lead teams that are located on the other side of the world. It is arguably a fast paced tendency that companies outsource either parts or entire productions in order to improve factors such as efficiency and cost among others. You can be a great leader in person which requires a set of skills necessary to motivate and lead your team, but leading a team online is a different task.

	== '''Introduction''' ==		== '''Introduction''' ==
	The project described in this article is an IT project, implementing an internal Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) for a company in Denmark within the legal industry. Due to anonymity company names will be disguised in this article and cover names will be used.		The project described in this article is an IT project, implementing an internal Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) for a company in Denmark within the legal industry. Due to anonymity company names will be disguised in this article and cover names will be used.
	The legal company will be mentioned as Legal-z (LZ), whereas the main solution was delivered by the Danish company referred as ITX. ITX was using a subcontractor named as IT-sub which specializes in EDMS solutions for many types of companies. IT-sub was used as a subcontractor due to their competencies within this area, and the system would have been too extensive for ITX to develop.		The legal company will be mentioned as Legal-z (LZ), whereas the main solution was delivered by the Danish company referred to as ITX. ITX was using a subcontractor named as IT-sub which specializes in EDMS solutions for many types of companies. IT-sub was used as a subcontractor due to their competencies within this area, and the system would have been too extensive for ITX to develop.

	The system ordered by LZ required custom modifications to fit their specific needs and work processes, resulting in a comprehensive custom development of the standard system. To save cost ITX partially used on- and offshore resources with a long-term plan using only their offshore developers from Vietnam.		The system ordered by LZ required custom modifications to fit their specific needs and work processes, resulting in a comprehensive custom development of the standard system. To save cost ITX partially used on- and offshore resources with a long-term plan using only their offshore developers from Vietnam.
	The purpose of this article is to describe the challenges and experiences made by leading and offshore team from an onshore location.		The purpose of this article is to describe the challenges and experiences made by leading and offshore team from an onshore location.
	Furthermore the article will include tools and methods which can improve the rate of success leading a team virtually without meeting the persons face to face.		Furthermore, the article will include tools and methods which can improve the rate of success leading a team virtually without meeting the persons face to face.
	As mentioned the competition is increasing day to day in modern ~~days~~. Companies seek multiple ways to improve quality, efficiency and cost in order to stay competitive. ~~Looking particularly at the~~ cost~~, one way~~ is to move resources from onshore to offshore. Labour work in the IT industry is far less expensive outside of Europe ~~without decreasing~~ the quality or skills of the employees.		As mentioned the competition is increasing day by day in modern time. Companies seek multiple ways to improve quality, efficiency and cost in order to stay competitive. One way of reducing cost is to move resources from onshore to offshore. Labour work in the IT industry is far less expensive outside of Europe, while maintaining the quality or skills of the employees.

	=='''Challenge'''==		=='''Challenge'''==

Michaelnguyendtu: /* Fundamentals for leading the team online */

2015-09-28T18:56:01Z

Fundamentals for leading the team online

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:56, 28 September 2015
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	It is not only important to know how to spell the name of a person, but also how you pronounce it. Though it might sound insignificant, but it is certainly important to address people correctly by their name. In projects, I have encouraged team members onshore and offshore to talk off topics and see each other visually through Skype or conference calls, which helped to increase the connection between team members. This helps to attach a face to the person who sends mails and messages or with whom you speak through the phone.		It is not only important to know how to spell the name of a person, but also how you pronounce it. Though it might sound insignificant, but it is certainly important to address people correctly by their name. In projects, I have encouraged team members onshore and offshore to talk off topics and see each other visually through Skype or conference calls, which helped to increase the connection between team members. This helps to attach a face to the person who sends mails and messages or with whom you speak through the phone.

	[[File:Usage of foreing languages.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|right\|'''Picture 1:''' [Illustration of communication between different languages]]]		[[File:Usage of foreing languages.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|right\|'''Picture 1:''' Illustration of communication between different languages]]

Michaelnguyendtu: /* Fundamentals for leading the team online */

2015-09-28T18:55:32Z

Fundamentals for leading the team online

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:55, 28 September 2015
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	It is not only important to know how to spell the name of a person, but also how you pronounce it. Though it might sound insignificant, but it is certainly important to address people correctly by their name. In projects, I have encouraged team members onshore and offshore to talk off topics and see each other visually through Skype or conference calls, which helped to increase the connection between team members. This helps to attach a face to the person who sends mails and messages or with whom you speak through the phone.		It is not only important to know how to spell the name of a person, but also how you pronounce it. Though it might sound insignificant, but it is certainly important to address people correctly by their name. In projects, I have encouraged team members onshore and offshore to talk off topics and see each other visually through Skype or conference calls, which helped to increase the connection between team members. This helps to attach a face to the person who sends mails and messages or with whom you speak through the phone.

	[[File:~~Language~~.~~png~~\|~~400px~~\|thumb\|right\|'''Picture 1:''' [Illustration of communication between different languages]]]		[[File:Usage of foreing languages.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|right\|'''Picture 1:''' [Illustration of communication between different languages]]]

Michaelnguyendtu at 18:53, 28 September 2015

2015-09-28T18:53:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:53, 28 September 2015
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	'''Knowing your team'''<br>		'''Knowing your team'''<br>
	It is not only important to know how to spell the name of a person, but also how you pronounce it. Though it might sound insignificant, but it is certainly important to address people correctly by their name. In projects, I have encouraged team members onshore and offshore to talk off topics and see each other visually through Skype or conference calls, which helped to increase the connection between team members. This helps to attach a face to the person who sends mails and messages or with whom you speak through the phone.		It is not only important to know how to spell the name of a person, but also how you pronounce it. Though it might sound insignificant, but it is certainly important to address people correctly by their name. In projects, I have encouraged team members onshore and offshore to talk off topics and see each other visually through Skype or conference calls, which helped to increase the connection between team members. This helps to attach a face to the person who sends mails and messages or with whom you speak through the phone.

			[[File:Language.png\|400px\|thumb\|right\|'''Picture 1:''' [Illustration of communication between different languages]]]


	'''Language barriers''' <br>		'''Language barriers''' <br>
	Working with a team at a remote location implicates that your communication skills have to be solid and precise in order for the offshore team to understand you and vice-versa. It is also important to take into account the level of English working language with offshore team members. In Denmark, at most clients, it is common to have requirements, specifications and functional designs in Danish. In the same context, test scenarios and scripts will be prepared by offshore teams in English and hence review by the business teams need to be planned with people who can read and write English. It is highly recommended to include having a Danish speaking onshore person in your resource planning available to assist with the understanding of the scripts prepared to the business team. This is only to have a liaison in place to explain the right interpretation due to different language bases.		Working with a team at a remote location implicates that your communication skills have to be solid and precise in order for the offshore team to understand you and vice-versa. It is also important to take into account the level of English working language with offshore team members. In Denmark, at most clients, it is common to have requirements, specifications and functional designs in Danish. In the same context, test scenarios and scripts will be prepared by offshore teams in English and hence review by the business teams need to be planned with people who can read and write English. It is highly recommended to include having a Danish speaking onshore person in your resource planning available to assist with the understanding of the scripts prepared to the business team. This is only to have a liaison in place to explain the right interpretation due to different language bases.

	~~[[File:Illustrating_a_team_with_different_backgrounds.png\|400px\|thumb\|right\|'''Picture 1:''' [https://flic.kr/p/arFTXS Illustration of communication between different languages]]]~~

	'''Plan pragmatic Onshore-Offshore''' <br>		'''Plan pragmatic Onshore-Offshore''' <br>

Michaelnguyendtu at 18:52, 28 September 2015

2015-09-28T18:52:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:52, 28 September 2015
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	'''Language barriers''' <br>		'''Language barriers''' <br>
	Working with a team at a remote location implicates that your communication skills have to be solid and precise in order for the offshore team to understand you and vice-versa. It is also important to take into account the level of English working language with offshore team members. In Denmark, at most clients, it is common to have requirements, specifications and functional designs in Danish. In the same context, test scenarios and scripts will be prepared by offshore teams in English and hence review by the business teams need to be planned with people who can read and write English. It is highly recommended to include having a Danish speaking onshore person in your resource planning available to assist with the understanding of the scripts prepared to the business team. This is only to have a liaison in place to explain the right interpretation due to different language bases.		Working with a team at a remote location implicates that your communication skills have to be solid and precise in order for the offshore team to understand you and vice-versa. It is also important to take into account the level of English working language with offshore team members. In Denmark, at most clients, it is common to have requirements, specifications and functional designs in Danish. In the same context, test scenarios and scripts will be prepared by offshore teams in English and hence review by the business teams need to be planned with people who can read and write English. It is highly recommended to include having a Danish speaking onshore person in your resource planning available to assist with the understanding of the scripts prepared to the business team. This is only to have a liaison in place to explain the right interpretation due to different language bases.

			[[File:Illustrating_a_team_with_different_backgrounds.png\|400px\|thumb\|right\|'''Picture 1:''' [https://flic.kr/p/arFTXS Illustration of communication between different languages]]]

	'''Plan pragmatic Onshore-Offshore''' <br>		'''Plan pragmatic Onshore-Offshore''' <br>