Distributed Software Development - Essay Example

DISTRIBUTED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT By and The importance to have a connected world and especially in the field of business has led to need for distributed software. Global software distribution ensures that physical border obstacles are reduced and there is enhanced team work. Individuals can be able to coordinate on specific project irrespective of their location in the world. Through this paper, the importance of software distribution in the world is discussed. Introduction Globalization in the world has enabled easier connection of different countries in the world for the purposes of trade and other economic activities. Through the use of software, development in different dimensions and especially economically is achieved. However, this is achieved through the concentration of multiple locations which allow important developments. Through software development, complex projects in the world are managed through dedicated methodologies and standards (Galina & Smite, 2011, p.8). The increasing competition of companies across the world has increased the need for presentation of services and goods of high quality. Through software distribution, there is enhanced process thinking which enables entrusting work to skilled individuals (Oshri, Kotlarsky & Willcocks, 2007, p.28). This makes it possible for companies to respond appropriately to changing customer’s needs. When companies are able to distribute their development globally, they benefit from getting relatively cheap resources which lower their operational costs. Software development ensures that there is reduced reliance on heavy documents of standardized models. Software development further ensures that there is easier communication between members of team projects which makes it possible to share ideas (Setamanit, et al. 2007, p.18). In this paper, importance of global software development will be discussed. Related Works on Software Development Distributed software stresses the correlation between qualities of services to the society and quality processes. Distributed software ensures that the needs of the customers get matching responses from different organization (Galvina & Nsmite, 2011, p.10). This is in addition to preventing increased incidences of duplicated work. There has been progressive development of process models related to software development. Software development is characterized by organization of resources to meet the desires of people. This is in addition to meeting their expectation timely. Distributed software development though complex; offers solutions to emerging challenges in the world (Jaakkola, 2009, p.71). Through dualistic approach of distributed software, it becomes easy to specify and execute plans that characterize organizational goals. This is achieved by organized projects which are connected to each other through organized process patterns. The distributed software further ensures that process patterns success is determined and any challenges facing them recognized in advance. Important Context of Distributed Software Development The need for companies to conduct their operations on global scale has increased the need to have distributed software in the world. There are various projects that organizations outside their home country for operation thus need for coordination. Companies find it important to distribute their project in an attempt to cut costs related to transport of finished goods (Gumm, 2006, p.45). Further through conducting production near the target market, the needs of the customers are understood and thus responded to appropriately. Projects of international companies are coordinated through distributed expertise located in different countries of their operation (Jaakkola, 2009, p.77). The coordination involves manufacturers as well as marketers who continuously study the trends in the market. This makes it possible for the business organization to identify opportunities and understand how best to respond to them. This is through offering services and goods that are unique and that match the standards of targeted customers. However, to achieve this coordination, software distribution ensures that the team in different projects does not duplicate responsibilities (Sailwal, 2009, p.23).When duplication happen; the companies fails to achieve there targeted performance. Distributed software has the advantage of ensuring there is coordination of skills, artifacts, people and tasks (Sailwal, 2009, p.42). The coordination makes it possible for individuals to understand their role which ensures that only quality services are given to customers. Skilled personnel further bring their expertise to the organization which adds the value of services given to customers. Understanding what tasks are to be accomplished through coordinated efforts of different individuals, time wastage is reduced. This ensures that customers are satisfied due to timely response to their needs. Distributed software further reduces physical barriers which limit thaw operations of organizations (Herbsleb, 2007, p.6). It is also recognized that software development reduces challenges posed by cultural differences (Nordio, et al., 2010, p.18). This is from the fact that individuals can coordinate work from a specific organization irrespective of their distance. When people are assigned responsibilities in countries where they understand their culture, there is reduced resistance to adaption to their goods. Further, this ensures that communication barriers are broken further adding to success of organization. Analysis Software development actually improves socialization through distributed teams who collaborate to achieve goals of their company (Bird, et al. 2010, p.38). This is through collaborative relationship of people who are distributed in different parts of the world. This helps organization operating internationally to solve the challenge of limitation of face to face meetings. Through the software development, team projects are able to share their successes and they consult one another in different times (Bird, et al. 2010, p.43). This ensures that support of individual team members is recognized irrespective of their location. Through software distribution, the norms of companies are maintained uniformly across borders where they operate (Fenema, 2002, p.157). It is further noted that software distribution enhances socialization in the society through connectivity that is enhanced. Through reconciliation, there is further requisition of attitudes, norms and behavior of people working for the same organization in different localities. Software development also creates a platform of renewing and maintaining socialization that streamline people behavior. Conclusion Global distribution of software is important in reducing the physical barrier of people from different parts of the world. Through the software distribution, skilled persons are able to add their input in development and distribution of services and goods from global companies. This ensures that customer needs are met in time and with quality products. Through software distribution, it is also possible for individuals to form teams targeting same market place. There is socialization that is further enhanced through software distribution, which adds to the cohesion of people. Software distribution also adds to the choice of customers when they are exposed to different products. References List Bird, C. et al. 2010. Does Distributed Development Affect Software Quality? An Empirical Case Study of Windows Vista. Available at: http://macbeth.cs.ucdavis.edu/distributed.pdf (accessed May 7, 2015). Fenema, P. C. 2002. Coordination and Control of Globally Distributed Software Projects. Available at: http://repub.eur.nl/pub/360/EPS202019LIS_9058920305_FENEMA.pdf (accessed May 7, 2015). Galvina, Z. & Nsmite, D. 2011. Software Development Processes in Globally Distributed Environment. Computer Science and Information Technologies. Vol. 70, pp.7-14 Gumm, D. C. 2006. Distribution Dimensions in Software Development Projects: A Taxonomy. IEEE Software. Vol. 1, pp.45-51 Herbsleb, J.D. 2007. Global Software Engineering: The Future of Socio-Technical Coordination. Available at: http://herbsleb.org/web-pubs/pdfs/herbsleb-global-2007.pdf (accessed May 7, 2015). Jaakkola, H. 2009. Towards A Globalized Software Industry. Acta Polytechnica Hungarica. Vol. 6, No. 5, Pp. 69-84 Nordio, M. et al. 2010. How Do Distribution and Time Zones Affect Software Development? A Case Study on Communication. Available at: http://se.ethz.ch/~meyer/publications/methodology/time_zones.pdf (accessed May 7, 2015). Oshri, I., Kotlarsky, J. & Willcocks, L. P. 2007. Global Software Development: Exploring Socialization and Face-To-Face Meetings In Distributed Strategic Projects. Journal Of Strategic Information Systems. Vol. No. 16 Pp.25–49 Sailwal, G. 2009. Importance of Knowledge Management in Distributed Software Development. Available at: http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:233177/ATTACHMENT01 (accessed May 7, 2015). Setamanit, S. et al. 2007. Planning and Improving Global Development Process Using Stimulation. Available at: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wayne_Wakeland/publication/228736310_Planning_and_improving_global_software_development_process_using_simulation/links/0fcfd508ea38db7456000000.pdf (accessed May 7, 2015). Read More