KEY BENEFIT:Whether you're already involved in a global software team, or planning to be, this book brings together the hard-headed analysis and proven "best practices" solutions you need to get the results you're aiming for.KEY TOPICS:Software development is tough enough when done locally -- it's even tougher when culture, language, distance and time-zone differences come into play. Global Software Teams presents a blend of tough case studies and best-practices research to help you dramatically increase your odds of success. Expert consultant Erran Carmel evaluates the success of global software teams to date, and shows the five "centrifugal forces" that can drive them apart. Next, he introduces six equally powerful "centripetal forces" managers can use to keep things together: stronger telecom infrastructure, better collaborative technologies, a solid development methodology; careful architecture and task allocation; team building and more. He offers carefully-considered ideas about integrating global IS organizations, and a "best practices" roundup of what really seems to work.MARKET:For all software professionals, especially those who organize, lead, or participate in, software teams that cross international boundaries.
ERRAN CARMEL teaches cutting edge Information Technology courses and directs American University's program in Management of Global Information Technology in Washington, DC. He has studied nearly 100 software companies and published over thirty articles on software development and information systems. He resides in Bethesda, MD.