In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, software development stands as a beacon of innovation.
Our industry is currently witnessing a transformation, thanks in part to the rising capabilities of remote work and the increasing maturity of companies and their understanding of its effects.
This shift towards working remotely, locally - virtually, calls for a deep exploration of the new sourcing services, how the virtual sourcing teams are structured, the tools that drive their success, and of course its challenges.
It calls for a redefinition and understanding of how local software development departments, teams, and companies can build and structure themselves to utilize these services and become flexible, efficient, and perform like never before.
In this comprehensive article series, we dive into the dynamic world of remote virtual software development and unveil the powerful tools, processes and mindset we utilize to fuel our ability to become a part of your team locally - virtually.
Finally, we also look at how you and your team should approach the utilization of such services, their requirements, the maturity level needed, and its challenges.
This is the first and overarching article that gives you the overview and from where we will dive into the details.
Changing our perception of Software Resource Augmentation, and how to structure "local" teams.
The journey of software development has embarked on a remarkable path.
The traditional reliance on local talent, or outsourcing to a certain location, to ensure your software development has given way to a more globally integrated approach. Software Resource Augmentation as you know it, is changing.
Due to our maturity within our companies and the supporting tools, we can now start leveraging the diverse pool of expertise that spans the globe, transcending geographical constraints and time zones.
Offshoring and nearshoring, as part of outsourcing, emerged in our quest to optimize, save cost, and find talent.
The challenge with both offshoring and nearshoring is and was, that it is based upon a model, where a number of local people with their culture, local skill sets, and limitations, are placed together in an office space, from where they have to solve tasks and challenges for companies worldwide.
The culture, time zone differences, and the few good men syndrome, makes it very difficult for 300 local employees in a country far far away, to perform locally at your location on a Monday morning. It is almost impossible for them to understand your business, your customers, your local problems, and your challenges.
As time has passed, we've grown wiser and the supporting collaboration tools and processes have improved. This gives us the opportunity and foundation to think differently and change the way we structure ourselves to ensure knowledge, skill, and experience into our local organizations.
Structuring knowledge and resources in the same location because of a company's origin or office placement, belongs to the past. Uniting experience and knowledge across borders enabling and training them to act locally as a virtual dream team, is the future.
Looking into that future, we at xrNORD, have designed and built a global dream team. A virtual organization that seamlessly merges with your local crew, transforming your Monday mornings into a powerhouse of unified productivity.
The Impact & What It Requires - to utilize a virtual team
Utilizing a virtual team like us at xrNORD, enables you to structure and form your local organization differently, making it flexible, efficient, and performing. You now have the ability to change your focus from sourcing OUT to demanding; that the world's talented resources become a part of your local team, virtually.
But for it to succeed it requires a certain mindset and level of maturity.
First of all your mindset should start to transform into the fact, that the world can now become a part of your team, locally. Internally you should now strengthen your core team to be in full control of the coordination with your business, process owners, product owners, and us at xrNORD.
The development team itself becomes the flexible entity, which changes in size and capabilities, depending on your project pipeline and needs.
A local anchor and elevator
Because our development team is virtual and global, we ensure that our local process and integration specialists are present on-site with your team as needed. This is to ensure and support a local focus and integration
Our local presence ensures a full understanding of your setup and process, local responsibility, guidance, and planning.
At the end of the day, success depends on your internal organizational ability to connect with your business, make the correct decisions, and have the knowledge to plan correctly. When working with us at xrNORD we locally help elevate you and your team to have that knowledge and internal abilities.
Fostering Responsibility in Virtual Teams
For virtual teams to thrive, we find it imperative that a culture of transparency, trust, and individual responsibility is cultivated.
Combined with having everyone understand and support our company and customer-specific procedures, software development projects can reach new heights of success, regardless of geographical dispersion.
Admittedly it is easier said than done, but we have also learned, that because our employees have an international experience and the mindset of a senior, they make an extraordinary effort to understand, adapt to, and support what they are a part of.
In the realm of virtual collaboration, fostering a culture of responsibility and structure is key, but we all need help and structure to succeed.
Here are some crucial aspects that we consider important and utilize daily:
1. Clear Procedures and Communication
Transparent processes and guidelines are essential for our teams and their success in connecting with your local team. Everyone should be aware of project timelines, expectations, and their roles.
Regular communication ensures alignment and prevents misunderstandings.
2. Trust and Autonomy
Remote work thrives on trust. Trust your developers to deliver quality work within deadlines. Trust that they will speak up and give them the security to do so, and you will understand their challenges.
Provide them with autonomy to manage their tasks efficiently.
This trust cultivates a sense of ownership, and commitment and enables us to help and guide each other from afar.
3. Performance Metrics
Establish clear performance metrics that align with project goals. Regularly review progress and provide constructive feedback. This keeps team members motivated and accountable.
4. Effective Collaboration
Promote collaboration among team members through virtual brainstorming sessions, peer reviews, and cross-functional collaboration. We utilize the tools mentioned in the next chapter to facilitate brainstorming, code reviews, knowledge sharing and ensure that distance does not hinder the exchange of ideas and expertise.
5. Regular Check-Ins
Scheduled check-in meetings and one-on-one sessions are crucial for maintaining team cohesion and addressing any concerns promptly. These meetings foster a sense of connection and allow your team members to discuss challenges, offer support, and celebrate achievements.
6. Continuous Learning
Ensure and drive continuous learning and skill development. Remote work provides an opportunity for team members to expand their knowledge and expertise independently but also amongst each other. Utilize the diverse knowledge of culture and specific projects.
Invest in training and upskilling programs to empower your team.
Navigating the Challenges of Virtual and Remote Collaboration
While remote collaboration offers unprecedented benefits, it is not without its unique set of challenges. Some of the key challenges we see are :
1. Communication Complexity
Ensuring effective communication becomes paramount when our team is scattered across different time zones, cultures, and languages. The art of seamless interaction requires purposeful tools and strategies.
2. Performance Monitoring
Keeping a finger on the pulse, our productivity and individual performance can be daunting and subjective in a remote setting where physical presence is absent and high self-responsibility acts. Robust methods for tracking and measuring progress are essential.
3. Data Security
Protecting sensitive information and ensuring secure file exchange is a constant concern in remote work environments. Stringent security measures are a prerequisite.
The Tools Shaping Remote Success in Software Development
To ensure and optimize virtual collaboration and address previously mentioned challenges, we seek to leverage a suite of powerful tools.
In general, our focus is to adapt to your way of working, but we will always introduce our ideas if we can see, that it will elevate your team and our combined output.
Some of the tools we are utilizing are:
1. Instant Messaging and Team Communication
Slack: An instant messaging platform that fosters real-time collaboration among remote teams. Custom channels cater to development, management, and project stakeholders, streamlining communication.
2. Video Conferencing
Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Slack Video Chat: These tools facilitate face-to-face interactions, making virtual meetings as productive and engaging as in-person ones. The choice of tool we utilize often aligns with regional and your preferences.
3. Task Management
A comprehensive project management tool like Jira offers task lists, time tracking, productivity monitoring, and transparent project boards. It serves as a single point of truth for all our software development-related activities.
4. File Sharing and Collaboration
We utilize cloud-based platforms that enable seamless file exchange and collaborative document editing. For confidential information, we align with you. In general, we are very aware of data protection and security. If you are within the EU we also seek to ensure that knowledge and data stays within the EU if required.
5. Calendar and Time Management
A meticulously managed calendar streamlines scheduling by allowing team members to access each other's schedules, facilitating efficient coordination of meetings and events.
Time registration to ensure overview and correct billing is imperative.
6. Code Management
Our Developers enjoy the flexibility to choose between GitHub and Bitbucket. Platforms based on project specifics. GitHub excels for open-source and public files, while Bitbucket offers a secure environment for safeguarding confidential code.
7. Security Best Practices
Implementing robust security measures, including double authorization, encryption of sensitive data, and precise permission management, ensures the protection of our confidential information within work environments between our customers and us.
8. Extended Reality
The technological landscape is continually evolving, and one of the most captivating frontiers regarding virtual collaboration is Extended Reality (XR). It's a realm that encompasses Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR).
Here at xrNORD we are dedicated to giving local software development teams and organizations access to our incredible team of international and senior developers. We are dedicated to having them perform together, as if they are right there, next to each other, and perhaps even better.
We become part of you locally.
XR is still in its infancy, but we understand that XR isn't just a buzzword; it's a future toolkit for redefining how teams collaborate and innovate across borders.
We see it as such a big future part of our tool kit, that we have made it a part of our company name.
Embracing the Future of Software Development
In conclusion, the future of software development and the structure of local software development teams is undeniably being disrupted and elevated with true virtual collaboration.
As our tools and mindsets evolve and mature, the world becomes increasingly interconnected. Companies that embrace these new ways of working, will benefit from global knowledge, expertise and resources like never before, and ensure their innovation and achieving success on a scale never before possible.
To explore how we at xrNORD can empower your software development capabilities and support your remote team, visit us at https://www.xrnord.com/.
As you navigate this evolving landscape, remember that effective remote collaboration is not just about the tools you use, but also the culture you cultivate within your team. By nurturing a culture of trust, responsibility, and continuous improvement, your software development projects will thrive in the world of remote virtual work.
Written by: the xrNORD team 2023