Impact of team-composition and project-characteristics on Individual-knowledge growth and performance of onsite-offshore distributed software teams

Abstract

This paper proposes a conceptual model to measure the performance of onsite-offshore based global software development project (OGSDP) teams. The model is formulated through a review of literature and and a set of focus group studies, and it considers team composition, knowledge growth of the team members and project characteristics. Strategic policy analysis is then conducted using real-life case data from five global software development projects. The results highlight the significant influence of team composition and project characteristics on OGSDP team performance.

Heterogeneities among team members may hinder knowledge-growth, thus leading to time and cost overruns as well as increase in latent errors. The model may help software managers to theoretically assess and optimise team composition at the beginning of a project, enabling them to anticipate team performance well in advance. In summary, this research offers practical insights into improving the performance of distributed software teams (which are smaller in size and duration), aiding software managers in achieving successful project outcomes.