How to successful manage your Offshore Software Project Team ?

There are several factor which contribute to Successful Offshore Managment;

1. TimeZone Management :

Working on different timezone it becomes really important for offshore team to understand time zone difference and plan you acitivities accordingly. In most of the case i had seen Onsite team expects atleast 2-3 hour time zone lap so that both onsite and offshore team are present.

2. Expectation Setting:

As you are remote, expectation setting become somewhat difficult so you should think of other mode of communications apart from email or phone. Like you can get Video Conferencing involved when you are in the mode of setting the expectation

3. Cultural Understanding:

Offshore Team Lead should get be well aware about the Cultural value of that geographical area. Every country has their own cultural values so its good to know for you team you work.

4. Sync Up Process:

Offshore Team should create  an effective way to syn up with their onsite team. You can use any mode where both the teams are comfortable. In the intation of the project team should sync up more.

5. Comfort Feeler:

Onsite Team members should think you as one team. Try to avoid getting this mentality of Client-Contractor relationship. Here the team lead or project managers capability plays vital role

Most of the above ideas should be communicated properly, as team is at a distance!!

Hi All

All the points mentioned by others are perfect. I am putting across my challenges what I had faced. By having the migitation plan/solution in place may lead to success in offshore project management.

--Limited visibility into day-to-day delivery status

--Slippage in project deadlines

--Inadequate work estimation capabilities

--Ensuring use of best practices

--Inadequate skill proficiency and experience

Also there can be many more, have taken genric one's only.

Generally wen a ur the manager of  aparticluar project, it obvious that resources have high hopes and anticipations from you.So wen u need to give an offshore support, keep these points in mind and see how the project becomes successful

1. Pat them on their back..even wen a samll achievement is made by them..this way they go ahead with more energy.

2. Try to converse with each team member rather than just talking with the team lead.

3. Advise and correct as and wen required

4. Even wen they r going to face a worse situation..try to make the team  comfortable...and ask to face the music..always har raat ke baad subah hoti hai..

5.Last but no the least...be like a friend...and team give its BEST

Invest in the right tools and integration to replace those day-to-day conversations. For example, ensure that your issue tracking system, code respository, and requirements tracking system are integrated so that Code checkins can be referenced from the related issues and requirements.

all the above, of course

Offshore Management