A company has a software development project which requires the development team to work at the client site. Client provides cubicle to each developer to perform their work. But developers state that the team members are too isolated and co-locating the team in a war room would increase productivity and quality. What should the project manager do? Saving Changes...
As PM, we should first evaluate the work infrastructures - physical (location / layout) as well as virtual (collaboration tools) facilities. Then, review developer's feedback about 'isolation' - why they feel isolated? how co-location will improve quality & productivity in this case?
If developers have valid case, then identify all alternatives and perform cost-benefit analysis for top options. Being at client site is a big challenge and very little can be done unless client agrees with proposed change. Saving Changes...
A team has to be able to work together but few get their own war room unless it's proprietary and the door has to stay locked. Saving Changes...
Gaurav VashisthTeam Lead| BombardierGurugram, Haryana, India
First we need to understand the need here. Are all the developers have dependencies from each other?, Do the team members meet often ( daily basis)? Are they comfortable with the work environment at client site? Can something be done to make them a part of team at Client site? Keeping everyone in one room can have adverse effect of having the team isolated with Client which loose the intent of having them at client's site. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
I would look from both sides of the coin - Understand what the team is lacking and how they see co-location as a solution, plus, simply have a conversation with the client on ways to garner a war room, or other possible ideas to enable an increased sense of co-location b/t the team.
Now, one indirect benefit of having the vendor team in a single room is the ease at which any involved individuals from the client can find or interact with any vendor team members, individually, or as a group. Saving Changes...
I'd agree with Andrew on this. Co-location has advantages and disadvantages and if the team size is too large, co-location may not be the right answer.
Kiron
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1 reply by Mayte Mata Sivera
Dec 31, 2018 1:22 PM
Mayte Mata Sivera
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Agree with Andrew and Kiron.
I'll will ask each of my team members in private their needs, sometimes people tends to be more sincere alone...
It is very hard to answer. Lots of things should be considered. generally, I would go with the team suggestion as they have a better idea of reality. Saving Changes...
Unless the PM comes from a software development background he can't really understand the needs of the developers and as such he can't and should not be allowed to take such a decision. The only thing the PM should do is to help the team by trying to obtain from the customer what the developers have asked.
This in my opinion is not even team management it is simply a duty of a PM who has to help the team to work in optimal conditions. The experts define the optimal conditions not the PM, unless of course the PM is an expert himself.
Also a senior member of a team can make such a request to the customer it must not necessarily be the PM.
What I've see in practice is that when IT experts (not necessarily developers) work on site the customer tends to manage them and the vendor's PM deals more with paperwork, financial aspects. administration, timesheets, etc. Saving Changes...
I'd agree with Andrew on this. Co-location has advantages and disadvantages and if the team size is too large, co-location may not be the right answer.
Kiron
Agree with Andrew and Kiron.
I'll will ask each of my team members in private their needs, sometimes people tends to be more sincere alone... Saving Changes...
