We gratefully acknowledge the funding by IuK Bayern
» www.stmwmet.bayern.de

Marco Kuhrmann, Daniel Mendez Fernandez, Matthias Groeber. Towards Artifact Models as Process Interfaces in Distributed Software Projects. In Proceedings of 8th Intl. Conference on Global Software Engineering (ICGSE 2013), IEEE, 2013.
» Download PDF

Abstract-Much effort has been spent to investigate the organization of distributed teams and their collaboration patterns. It is, however, not fully understood to which extent and how agile software processes are feasible to support distributed software projects. Practices and challenges that arise from the demands for communication are often in scope of current research. Still, it remains unclear what is necessary to monitor a project and to track its progress from a management perspective. A solution is to monitor projects and their progress on basis of the current quality of the created artifacts according to a given reference model that defines the artifacts and their dependencies. In this paper, we present an artifact model for agile methods that results from of a systematic literature review. The contribution serves as an empirically grounded definition of process interfaces to coordinate projects and to define exchanged artifacts while abstracting from the diverse local software processes.

Index Terms-agile methods; artifact model; distributed projects; software process interface; project management

We gratefully acknowledge the funding by IuK Bayern
» www.stmwmet.bayern.de

Marco Kuhrmann, Daniel Mendez Fernandez, Matthias Groeber. Towards Artifact Models as Process Interfaces in Distributed Software Projects. In Proceedings of 8th Intl. Conference on Global Software Engineering (ICGSE 2013), IEEE, 2013.
» Download PDF

Abstract-Much effort has been spent to investigate the organization of distributed teams and their collaboration patterns. It is, however, not fully understood to which extent and how agile software processes are feasible to support distributed software projects. Practices and challenges that arise from the demands for communication are often in scope of current research. Still, it remains unclear what is necessary to monitor a project and to track its progress from a management perspective. A solution is to monitor projects and their progress on basis of the current quality of the created artifacts according to a given reference model that defines the artifacts and their dependencies. In this paper, we present an artifact model for agile methods that results from of a systematic literature review. The contribution serves as an empirically grounded definition of process interfaces to coordinate projects and to define exchanged artifacts while abstracting from the diverse local software processes.

Index Terms-agile methods; artifact model; distributed projects; software process interface; project management

Munich 18.09.2013

pliXos (www.plixos.com/en) is further expanding its technology base for sourcing lifecycle management. A key part of this expansion is the new "(Out-)Sourcing Relationship Tracker - ORT" project, which will be carried out in close collaboration with the Department of Information Systems and Services at the University of Bamberg. The first steps towards this management tool which supports the ongoing observation and control of the social components of sourcing relationships have already been successfully completed. As part of the (Out-)Sourcing Relationship Tracker, new measurement methods based on social network analysis will be implemented.

What are the objectives?

The overall goal of this project is to create a scientifically grounded, multi-dimensional instrument for measuring relationship quality. Today, the monitoring of sourcing arrangements does often only focus on the “hard facts” (cost, timelines etc.) while considering the social dynamics is nearly always neglected. But, poor communication quality, lacking openness or insufficient information transfer often cause serious problems, in the long run, and thus should be used as early warning indicators for deteriorating sourcing performance. The (Out-)Sourcing Relationship Tracker will collect data from the interaction between vendor and client staff and thus allow for a transparent and holistic monitoring of the sourcing relationship over time, both for single sourcing arrangements and overall multi-sourcing portfolios. Building on thoroughly conducted scientific analyses the new system will complement pliXos´ Global Sourcing Platform.

What’s new?

Two specific features make the Sourcing Relationship Tracker different from existing solutions:

• The focus of monitoring is shifted from the relatively easily measurable and accessible, technically oriented performance indicators, such as service quality, to the essential characteristics of good relationship quality, like, e.g., trust, mutual understanding and communication quality. In addition, key drivers of relationship quality like knowledge transfer mechanisms will be assessed. Following this approach is expected to solve the well-known problem of "everything is green but we are still dissatisfied".
• A minimum of time-consuming user surveys: Until now, data for measuring soft aspects of relationship quality had to be collected via online or offline polls from the involved staff and managers at client- and vendor-side. The (Out-)Sourcing Relationship Tracker will come with collector modules that enable relationship quality monitoring using, e.g., social network analysis and sentiment analysis, thus minimizing the need for user surveys. Ultimately, a well-defined mix of different measurement tools is set to comprehensively examine and present all relevant dimensions of relationship quality.

Status of the research project

As of today, the objectives and work packages for the remainder of the project have been defined in detail. Furthermore, based on many years of academic outsourcing research a comprehensive model of the potential dimensions and indicators of relationship quality and its drivers has been developed. Current solutions from industry were examined to identify the extent to which these approaches include relationship quality. It was found that existing industry solutions rather focus on performance indicators than on the underlying relationship quality where problems might become apparent much earlier. Next, the project, will define the optimal cockpit for tracking relationship quality. Subsequently, specific measurement instruments will be developed, and finally tested and evaluated with selected pilot partners.

The further development will include early evaluations in the industry which will give important fresh stimuli to the design of the (Out-)Sourcing Relationship Tracker. Pilot partners will receive early results and have the chance to proactively monitor and improve their sourcing relationship quality. Do you have any questions? Are you interested in being part of this project as a partner or pilot customer? Do not hesitate to contact us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About pliXos

pliXos sees itself as a provider of solutions for the optimization of globally distributed software services. Significant cost and time advantages are implemented by using these solutions based on best-practices processes. Offers of pliXos are "tool-assisted" evaluation and analysis of global sourcing projects, the optimized control of such projects as well as consulting and the assumption of overall responsibility for individual projects. pliXos was founded in April 2009. Participants include the high-tech start-up funds, Bayern Kapital and a Bavarian entrepreneur (private investor).

Contact

pliXos GmbH
Nóra Regős
Press Relations
Munich Technology Centre (MTZ)
Agnes-Pockels-Bogen 1
80992 Munich
Germany
Tel: +49 89 44234771
Fax: +49 89 381511379
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.plixos.com