The Impact of Multi-site Software Governance on Knowledge Management

Abstract

Abstract-Software Development Governance (SDG) is an emerging field of research, under the umbrella of information technology governance. SDG challenges increase when software development activities are distributed across multiple locations. Coordination of knowledge management processes requires specific attention in multi site development. This paper outlines a multi-site software governance structure, based on three aspects: the business strategy that binds the relationship of the remote offices, the structure and composition of the remote teams and the way tasks are allocated across sites. Knowledge management processes (including knowledge creation, knowledge transfer and communication) are identified and the influence of different governance structures on these processes is discussed. We do so through a case study at Océ, a multinational company in printing systems.

From RUP to Scrum in Global Software Development: A Case Study

“…Team size, role descriptions and role distribution are among those characteristics in distributed teams that can influence team coordination and communication and therefore team performance [5]. In this case study, we observe several aspects that characterize the way remote and co-located teams are organized and structured.…”

“…Additionally, previous research suggest a structural perspective of the various multi-site governance activities that a global software company must adopt [5]. According to this perspective, global software activities can be categorized based on three structural aspects; the business strategy that binds the relationship of the remote offices, the team structure and composition of the remote offices and the task allocation that is the way activities and responsibilities are distributed across locations [5].…”

“…In other words, in order to organize and manage their distributed software development activities, organizations must adopt a governance model [4]. The selection of certain governance activities can influence the communication and knowledge management activities between the distributed teams [5].…”

“…The projects are developed in a consultancy firm located in the Netherlands, together with an offshore site in India, and the client is a finance firm. We use the multisite governance model introduced by [5], to analyze their multi-site governance activities adopted and adjusted based on the Scrum methodology. Furthermore, we identify those changes that the Scrum adoption brought, in comparison with the previous governance structure of the Rational Unified Process (RUP).…”

Adopting a Social Network Perspective in Global Software Development

“…An important challenge among distributed teams in global software environments is the aspect of awareness, or in other words, to know who knows what, who works in which part of the project and who is who in the remote teams [7]. In global software development, awareness is defined as a means by which team members become familiar with the work of their colleagues, therefore enabling better coordination between the distributed teams [8].…”