- Exchange team member’s photographs. Use online photo albums like Picasaweb or Flickr or FaceBook (if you’re allowed to use! that at the workplace) – or use at least a Project collaboration tool like ProjectPier which allows you to store your photo along with your profile.
- While conducting meetings, send agenda in advance to the team members.
- Start meeting with a brief story. Story should convey the most important thing that you want to convey in the meeting. Human mind usually likes to hear to stories. It can also help in building interest in the topic if effectively said.
- Exchange web links and photos of regional festivals and other cultural events so that everyone gets exposure to the culture. Sometimes, cultural differences can make the project more interesting.
- Pay high regards to time zones. Do not arrange a meeting which is midnight for another party. Instead, take confirmation in advance about suitable time for the meeting.
- Working in offshore mode is also a big risk. Make sure that it is a part of Project Risks Worksheet.
- Offshore projects need precise Project Communication Plans. It would be ideal if such plans are optimized to be used in specific demographics.
- Being on the same page (obviously, of the same book and of the same edition!) is the most vital thing, however, anticipate and plan for delays caused by miscommunications.
- Make sure that everyone understands Work Breakdown Sheet (WBS) from the same point of view – any doubts or questions should be answered via online brainstorming sessions prior to beginning the work.
- It would be great if any one party (or any one person, say the Project Manager) can go on site to the other party’s place. This would generate more confidence and would reduce communication delays.
- Video conferencing is the idea choice for the meetings – this would enable you to interpret facial expressions.
- Remember, nobody can leave by bread only, they should be “buttered up” time to time – often give reorganization to the team members who deserve it.
See Also:
- Twenty Traits Of Software Project Sponsors Who Have The Power To Screw-up An Offshore Outsourcing Engagement
- Everyday Status Meeting – An Absolute Project Killer
- Twenty One Project Management Tips On How To Get Co-operation of Senior Management
- What Neatly Written Software Specs Can Do And What It Cannot
- Best Tips on Running an Effective Meeting
- Do You Manage Your Offshore Software Solutions Business This Way?
- Twelve Traits of Dependable Project Managers
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: tnvora
July 24, 2009 at 6:16 am
That’s a great compilation. To me, it seems that offshore outsourcing is 80% communication and 20% technology. Skilled resources are still very important, but ultimately success in outsourcing really boils down to communication and expectations-management. I know this sounds cliche’ but this is so true.
One of the most important things is to view having offshore team as a strategic long term initiative. Most of the clients expect immediate results from the offshore teams and that leads to multiple issues. Having an offshore team will only work when the overall engagement processes are established with long term perspective. It is about realizing that team needs time to settle down and understand cultural aspects before they can get really productive. Clients who don’t realize this often burn their fingers.
What say?
Twitter: utpalvaishnav
July 24, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Tanmay.
Expectation Management is the most important Key Success Factor in offshore outsourcing.
I would say that, Client expects immediate results from the offshore team just because Business Managers of offshore teams allow them to expect that.
In fact, they need to play the educator’s role and help the client learn how the overall engagement process can be successful.
Rather than focusing on short-term profits businesses should focus on long term engagements which are mutually beneficial.