Virtual Software Teams : Overcoming the Obstacles

Abstract

Given the current popularity of Global Software Development (GSD) increasing numbers of organi- sations are taking the opportunity offered to set up virtual software teams. In the research pre- sented here the virtual software team environment within two Irish based companies was studied. One company had partnered with an organisation located in the US to develop and maintain soft- ware. The other company was the Irish division of a US multi-national company who had distrib- uted their software testing to the Far East. and discuss how they were addressed. In this paper, we describe particular cases of concern Following the research in both companies, and based on the results from both of these cases, the researchers developed a framework to support the management of virtual software teams. Given the importance of GSD to the software industry this experience should be of value to anyone inter- ested in outsourcing and virtual team software development and maintenance.