PMcrunch

Software project outsourcing and managing virtual teams are very hot topics today.  They present new opportunities as well as new challenges for project and program managers.  Below is a collection of recent articles and posts around the internet on this timely topic.

Leading in Face-to-Face Versus Virtual Teams

Nice outline of distinctions between face to face and virtual teams…  As more companies are considering the option of allowing their employees to telecommute, there is an increasing need to understand how leading in virtual teams is different from leading in face-to-face teams. In many cases, people have …

Is Distributed Development Viable

Excellent first hand account of virtual and distributed development…  The link above for Distributed Development redirects to Virtual Team. Wikipedia also has an entry for Distributed Development; however, I found the description of Virtual Team to be much closer to what our industry generally labels …

Using Collaboration Software to Increase the Effectiveness of …

A little about collaborative technologies…  Using Collaboration Software to Increase the Effectiveness of Virtual Teams Virtual teams need the support of a secure, easy to use, web-based collaboration environment that… Understanding Basic File Name Extensions …

Virtual Teams Now a Reality

Some stats about the trend…  “With highly distributed workforces and the rising cost of travel, it’s not surprising that organizations would anticipate a greater reliance on virtual teams,” said Mary Key, i4cp’s leadership pillar director. …

Is The World Flat or Round? Decisions for trainers of virtual teams.

Nice practical grass roots perspective…  Many now have matrix structures and internationally based project groups, teams and committees. For trainers working with virtual teams in a matrix structure, despite the improved forms of communication available, there are many …

Executive Coaching For Virtual Teams – Working With Virtual Teams

A totally people oriented perspective…   One of the most powerful questions one can ask oneself is How do I create virtual teams where full engagement is assured by emotionally intelligent individual members? Emotionally intelligent leaders create virtual teams that are …

Marketing: Tech People Hate It. Boy Are They Going To Need It!

A little ‘out of the box’ thinking…  Being a software project manager you need to negotiate win-win conditions between the stakeholders. This not only means listening to both parties, but this also means putting certain aspects in the spot light, promote a certain point of …

How to Use Outsourcing Effectively

Practical point of view, and not just software…  My first important role in a major software development project was when I was hired By Pratt & Whitney Canada to work on a customer service system of a plane engine repair company PWC recently acquired. …

Advantages of Using Wikis

For example, you could use a wiki to keep track of all your outsourcing. A user account can be set up for all virtual assistants, ghostwriters, graphic designers, etc and a page can be created for each project. Then team members can …

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John Reiling, PMP
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