Using the PMBOK® guide to frame GSD coordination strategies

Abstract

Global software development (GSD) carried out at various locations is impeded by global distance categorized as exterior and interior. To overcome this, specific communication strategies are required to coordinate a range of activities between client and vendor teams working on GSD projects. The literature on GSD recommends many coordination strategies, but tends to take the client viewpoint as vendor companies have been underrepresented in publications. In this paper, we compare coordination strategies identified in both the literature and in primary research which we conducted in Indian vendor companies with the Project Communication Management section of the PMBOK® Guide. This comparison helped us to define a set of expert-validated coordination strategies for use by GSD practitioners. While developed from the vendor rather than the client perspective, indications are that project managers from both client and vendor organisations can implement these strategies to overcome GSD coordination issues.