In April we scheduled a trip to Bangalore to work the GDD view from an outsourcer, or service provider view, for our GDD work. The result is to be published in 2007 / 2008 as an article on Trends and Challenges of Global Software Development.
This trip turned out to be very productive. We worked with the upcoming release of the GDD Redbook with Kamala and her team. We worked closely within our GDD product team with Kurian John, with the India Rational engineering team, the local sales team, and interviewed many GSI’s like; InfoSys, LGSoft, Tesco, and WiPro. We confirmed and depended many of our previous conclusion on the outsourcing trends and practices.
- May of the GSI’s we visited are Rational customers using ClearCase and ClearQuest. Multisite is widely used. Consolidation my remote access to CCM and SCM repositories through web or remote clients. (Much like the guidance that we report in 2010 regarding Centralized GDD)
- Many GSIs set up secure network ‘islands’ within their network to deliver on customer security requirements. I.e. no cross customer leakage.
- Multisite is using controlled ports to manage security
- High CMMI process level. Process enactment in tools to enforce processes.
- Challenged by tool version incompatibilities btw client onshore teams and GSI offshore teams.
- Project metrics vary based on client maturity and type of project / process model
- Central reporting infrastructure, sharing a subset of project metrics with clients.
We also had plenty of opportunities to visit may interesting places and views around Bangalore. All guided by Kurian.
Kathryn, Kurian and Kamala.
The preparations for the trip was as heavy-weight as needed for an Asia trip. Plenty of vaccine shots against all kind of blood and stomach deceases. Over the years I heard a lot of ugly stories of bacteria, food, water and spending waist-full days in bed. So well equipped with medicine, alcogel and even my own water. And it all went well! No stomach problems, no malaria. But one lesson learned; Brushing your teeth in sparkling water is not recommended.
There is a huge difference is daily life between US, Sweden and India. Many culture chocks. A few examples:
How may can you fit into a single motorbike? Answer: At least husband, wife, and 3 kids.
Do you really need to spend all that money on workforce security? Answer: Nop, just just replace the ones that fall.
In Europe business run on SAP. In India, small business run on two wheels.
City lifestyle for farmers; your cow having dinner.
Pawan (Rational India Lab Manager) took us to the prestigious Karnataka Golf Club for a drink. This place is famous for the note in Tom Friedman much-touted book, “The World is Flat”.
Tom Friedman starts his story by recalling advice given to him on the first tee of the KGA golf course in downtown Bangalore, “Aim for either the IBM or Microsoft building.”. This is Mats with the flat view of the world.
See more pictures in the photo album from Bangalore.