Global Software Development: Managing Virtual Teams and Environments

Over the last several decades, improvements in software development tools and methods have allowed geographically and culturally diverse groups to come together in global software development teams. Team members bring diverse expectations and goals that make the task of virtual product development considerably more complex than the most complex in-house projects.

Global Software Development covers the delicate tasks of managing diverse cultural expectations, establishing responsibility, implementing accountability, and defining process and product ownership. Subtle changes in the cost, schedule, and quality issues involved in normal product delivery are also examined. Although focused on global development projects, the book discusses issues that apply to most distributed software development environments.

Following the life cycle of a typical software development project, the text examines the growing need for global software development and the foundations of its strategy. From setting up the initial environment and project team, the book progresses through every development stage emphasizing the differences between traditional and virtual management. The final chapter presents three case studies illustrating the principles and activities described in the preceding chapters.

Dale Karolak's goal is to make it easier for managers to understand what to consider when managing a virtual project and offers a broad spectrum of information that enhances the reader's understanding of global software development.