Engineering in Globally Distributed Teams ECE 390 Spring, 2008

Global Teaming – a new reality Large companies are usually globally distributed Smaller companies often perform services for companies in other parts of the world Engineering is often distributed across multiple sites

What’s So Hard? Language Cultural differences Trust Communications Commitment

What’s So Hard? Language Cultural differences Trust Communications English is English? Written? Spoken? Agreement means what? Side conversations breed …? Media make it easier? Cultural differences Trust Communications Commitment

What’s So Hard? Language Cultural differences Trust Communications Top down vs. “democratic” Who’s the boss… and what that means… What is impolite? What is punctual? Agreement means what? When do we work? Trust Communications Commitment

What’s So Hard? Language Cultural differences Trust Communications Why does it matter? What do we share? Goals? Individual? Team? Getting to “know” them—informal chat about their lives and yours… crucial for many! Knowledge is power? How do we establish it? Face-to-face? How do we maintain it? Win/win? Or X is the boss? Who can make things fail? Communications Commitment

What’s So Hard? Language Cultural differences Trust Communications Everyone knows best to start with ________ How often “meet” What else goes back and forth? Why does it matter (next page) Commitment

Goodman’s Theorem Without regular communication, team members: Assume the worst about others Assume they are the only ones working Assume the others don’t really care Become resentful Play “tit-for-tat” – if you don’t call me, why should I call you? TEAMS are CONSTANTLY moving toward coming apart. You MUST WORK regularly to keep them together!!!

How to Fight That? Have regularly scheduled meetings (face-to-face, videoconference, teleconference) Be there when scheduled. Don’t be late or absent without prior explanation!!! Schedule according to THEIR time zone, too, not only for your convenience. Be POLITE by THEIR standards. Don’t eat, slouch, put your feet up on chairs, wear grubby clothes, etc., if you are videoconferencing with people outside the U.S. Don’t give orders. Work out with them who should be responsible for each task identified – what makes sense to THEM, not only to YOU. Email others frequently (daily) with questions, informal reports of minor progress, etc. TELL them when you look at their stuff. If you like it, TELL THEM. Send them YOUR stuff for feedback, FREQUENTLY!

What’s So Hard? Language Cultural differences Trust Communications Commitment Let them SEE that you are as committed to the project’s success as they are Never ignore their requests—if they ask for something you can’t provide, talk with them about why you can’t do it, don’t just put it off to deal with later. Keep talking and writing. Without that, they will soon be sure that you are not working and don’t care