IRMA-International.org: Creator of Knowledge
Information Resources Management Association
Advancing the Concepts & Practices of Information Resources Management in Modern Organizations

Influence of Geographic Dispersion on Control and Coordination for Management of Software Development Projects

Influence of Geographic Dispersion on Control and Coordination for Management of Software Development Projects
View Free PDF
Author(s): Rajeev Sharma (Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, India)and S. Krishna (Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, India)
Copyright: 2003
Pages: 2
Source title: Information Technology & Organizations: Trends, Issues, Challenges & Solutions
Source Editor(s): Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59140-066-0.ch234
ISBN13: 9781616921248
EISBN13: 9781466665330

Abstract

Geographically dispersed projects are characterized by activities like coding and testing carried out at one geographical location while other activities like requirement analysis, implementation and testing are done at some other location. These projects are different from the co-located projects as there is a preponderance of electronic mediated communication and transactions. Separation of resources in time and space can lead to problems in controlling and coordinating software development projects. It has also been mentioned in practitioner oriented literature that the cost advantage derived from employing cheap inexperienced manpower can vanish while managing the different aspects of a project in a remote location. Management of geographically dispersed activities so as to complete a project within the budgeted cost, time and quality parameters becomes much more demanding than those not so dispersed. Managers find it difficult to employ traditional means of controlling and coordinating team members with which they are familiar in the changed scenario (Piccoli, Powell and Ives, 2001).

Body Bottom