Role of Effective-Communication in Offshore Engage-Computers And Internet

» Role of Effective-Communication in Offshore Engage

Role of Effective-Communication in Offshore Engagement by: John Parker

Proliferation of Virtual world has minimized the gap among businesses in the Global village. But, the appealing factor of virtual development that is implemented in Offshore Model of “High quality, low cost endeavor” is often wrapped up with the complexity of being able to understand the other side. A weak Communication between the Offshore Client and the Vendor can lead to problems such as

Productivity Loss

Mismatch of deliverables and expectations

Loss of valuable time

Redundancy of tasks

There is more to communication than merely conveying the content. Besides the semantics, which is the key to being at the same wavelength, Attitude and Diction with which the information is shared are equally important. Software development outsourcing is the main field which mainly depends on the communication. Apart from the problems that arise from differences in culture, language and time zone, the communication could be fudged if there are multiple people communicating from the offshore vendor side to the client. Such ambiguities can be alleviated by implementing appropriate Strategies for communication, as mentioned below:

A. Using Communication Tools:

Instant Messenger

Phone calls

VOIP

Extranets

Web Meetings

Virtual Office Cabinets

Ticket Management System

Customized communication applications

B. Guidelines, Practices and Discipline

The two shores should communicate by following certain guidelines and practices

Design the Discussion Document that takes into account the perspective from the both the offshore client and the vendor. The Document should outline the following:

Tasks

Roles assigned for the tasks

Mode of communication between the client and the vendor

Mode of intra-communication between the Software Teams and the Business Teams

How to tackle or mitigate any unexpected Issues or Risks

Status Reports [Daily, Weekly>

To avoid any communication gap, the correspondence should take place with discipline according to the defined schedule.

Risk of information loss is eliminated if both the client and the offshore vendor delegate their tasks through the Project Managers from either side, which enables smooth information relay among the client and the vendor employees.

C. Techniques

Clarity of goals before any meeting or phone conversation

Concise to-the-point discussion

Documents with bullets and points

Send summary of discussion

Though E-Business communication tools such as e-mail, tele-conferencing, fax, chat, video–conferencing all serve as a conduit to effective and efficient means of information transfer, their usage can be more productive if used with a planned approach. An effective communication does not end with a healthy initiation, but is sustained keeping the momentum by maintaining agile response loop. Hence, a proactive approach from both the client and the Offshore Vendor is mandatory to further the business goals.

Source: http://www.hytechpro.com/role_of_effective_communicatins_in_offshore_engagement.html

About The Author

John Parker

This article is powered by A-1 Technology, an offshore outsourcing company.

sec@a1internetdesign.com

This article was posted on April 25, 2005