TECHNOLOGY
With distance there will be constant handover points . As discussed by Balanced Team , handover points , such as those constantly required by an offshore team , create a margin for error and take pace out of a process .
There is also a loss of fidelity . Practical experience enables a faster , more accurate solution compared to a theoretical understanding of what the issue might be . We need to ‘ go see ’ a problem in order to fix it effectively . An offshore team is spread across the globe , so individuals will only ever be able to apply theory to a problem , rather than the nous required for a fast solution .
Another problem is there can be suffocation through control . A
‘ To create software that can be built fast , adapted quickly to the market , and iterated at low cost , software has to be built onshore , close to the business , close to the customer ’ distributed team often comes with a ‘ command and control ’ environment . I can ’ t see you , so I need to tell you exactly what to do . An efficient , motivated , creative team responds to broader goals and objectives , not a rigid , micro-managed framework . This is partly due to motivation . Dan Pink claims that motivation is driven by autonomy , which is almost non-existent in highly controlled situations - like those regularly found in offshore work .
Communication lines can also be disrupted in offshore outsourcing . With his ‘ two pizza ’ theory , Jeff Bezos claims teams should not be bigger than a number which could be fed by two pizzas . This helps to stay decentralised , move fast , and encourage high autonomy and innovation . Offshore teams are typically big - developers , managers and individuals onshore - there are so many communication lines that the pace and accuracy of work can be affected .
Finally , it ’ s vital for a development team to be where the customer is . How can you build something that meets a user need when you know nothing about them ? It ’ s a position backed up by Eric Ries ’ Lean startup approach . He talks about “ getting out
20 June 2016