Why Project Managers Can Undermine Offshore Development

Last Updated on 2024-10-11

Project management has never been more critical in the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and business.

However, in offshore software development, the traditional model of having a project manager act as the intermediary between the client and the development team can, paradoxically, introduce more problems than it solves.

Drawing from my experiences as the founder of Full Scale, a company specializing in offshore software development in the Philippines, I’ve seen firsthand the pitfalls of the “middleman” approach and the superior benefits of a more integrated team dynamic.

The Pitfalls of the Middleman Approach

When a project manager serves as the sole communication link between the client and the offshore development team, several issues can arise:

• The “Telephone Game” Syndrome: Just like in the children’s game where messages get distorted as they’re whispered from one person to the next, critical project details can be lost or misinterpreted when passed through a project manager. This can lead to errors, misaligned expectations, and costly revisions.
• Barrier to Relationship Building: Direct communication fosters trust and understanding between team members. When developers and clients don’t interact directly, they miss out on building a rapport that can enhance motivation, engagement, and collaboration.
• Lack of Transparency: Clients often have limited visibility into the day-to-day work and progress of the development team. This can lead to anxiety and uncertainty about project status and outcomes.
• Delayed Feedback Loops: Quick, iterative feedback is crucial in agile software development. The project manager’s “buffer” can slow down this process, making implementing changes swiftly and efficiently harder.

A Superior Solution: Integrated Teams

The alternative to the traditional model is a more integrated approach, where offshore developers work directly with in-house teams under a staff augmentation model. This setup offers several advantages:

• Direct Communication: By facilitating direct lines of communication, everyone stays on the same page, misunderstandings are minimized, and the project benefits from the diverse perspectives of all team members.
• Increased Agility: Direct interaction enables faster decision-making and adjustments, crucial in a fast-paced development environment where requirements change rapidly.
• Stronger Team Dynamics: When offshore developers are integrated into the in-house team, it fosters a sense of belonging and mutual responsibility for the project’s success, boosting morale and productivity.
• Better Knowledge Sharing: Direct collaboration promotes exchanging ideas, experiences, and best practices, leading to innovative solutions and continuous learning among team members.

Implementing an Integrated Approach

Adopting this model requires a shift in mindset and the adoption of tools and practices that support remote collaboration, such as:

• Use of Collaboration Tools: Leverage platforms like Slack, Jira, and Zoom to facilitate communication, project tracking, and virtual meetings.
• Cultural Sensitivity Training: Prepare your team for cross-cultural collaboration to ensure mutual respect and understanding.
• Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular one-on-one and team meetings to keep everyone aligned and address any issues promptly.

At Full Scale, we’ve embraced this integrated approach, seeing remarkable success in projects where clients and offshore developers work closely together. By treating our offshore team members not as distant contractors but as integral parts of the in-house team, we’ve managed to overcome the traditional challenges associated with remote development.

In conclusion, while project managers play a crucial role in ensuring the success of software development projects, the conventional intermediary model can hinder the efficiency and effectiveness of offshore development. A shift towards a more integrated team model mitigates these issues and leverages offshore development’s full potential to achieve superior results.

Take Advantage of Staff Augmentation