When Distribution of Tasks and Skills Are Fundamentally Problematic: A Failure Story from Global Software Outsourcing

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Standard

When Distribution of Tasks and Skills Are Fundamentally Problematic : A Failure Story from Global Software Outsourcing. / Matthiesen, Stina; Bjørn, Pernille.

In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction (PACMHCI), Vol. 1, No. CSCW, 74, 11.2017.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Harvard

Matthiesen, S & Bjørn, P 2017, 'When Distribution of Tasks and Skills Are Fundamentally Problematic: A Failure Story from Global Software Outsourcing', Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction (PACMHCI), vol. 1, no. CSCW, 74. https://doi.org/10.1145/3139336

APA

Matthiesen, S., & Bjørn, P. (2017). When Distribution of Tasks and Skills Are Fundamentally Problematic: A Failure Story from Global Software Outsourcing. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction (PACMHCI), 1(CSCW), [74]. https://doi.org/10.1145/3139336

Vancouver

Matthiesen S, Bjørn P. When Distribution of Tasks and Skills Are Fundamentally Problematic: A Failure Story from Global Software Outsourcing. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction (PACMHCI). 2017 Nov;1(CSCW). 74. https://doi.org/10.1145/3139336

Author

Matthiesen, Stina ; Bjørn, Pernille. / When Distribution of Tasks and Skills Are Fundamentally Problematic : A Failure Story from Global Software Outsourcing. In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction (PACMHCI). 2017 ; Vol. 1, No. CSCW.

Bibtex

@article{82b78ed8ed05499bacc64e821af2fbab,
title = "When Distribution of Tasks and Skills Are Fundamentally Problematic: A Failure Story from Global Software Outsourcing",
abstract = "Using ethnographic data, we provide a critical reflection on the discrepancies between the application ofagile development principles and the conditions which render these principles effective for global softwaredevelopment work. This reflection is based on the analysis of a failed collaboration within a global softwareproject, which relied heavily on feedback from mundane project tools utilized for everyday coordination andmonitoring. Our study reveals that these tools hid serious issues relating to both the distribution of sociotechnicalskills and a discharge of accountability in task execution. As a result, markers of complexcollaborative problems were concealed. Furthermore, the imbalance evident in outsourcing setups, which isenacted through high and low status task distribution among partners, further compounds collaborationproblems by emphasizing assumptions about remote workers in the absence of direct forms of knowledgeinterchange. ",
keywords = "distributed work, distribution of socio-technical expertise, ethnography, failure, categories, global software development (gsd), invisible work, task accountability",
author = "Stina Matthiesen and Pernille Bj{\o}rn",
year = "2017",
month = nov,
doi = "10.1145/3139336",
language = "English",
volume = "1",
journal = "Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction",
issn = "2573-0142",
publisher = "Association for Computing Machinery",
number = "CSCW",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - When Distribution of Tasks and Skills Are Fundamentally Problematic

T2 - A Failure Story from Global Software Outsourcing

AU - Matthiesen, Stina

AU - Bjørn, Pernille

PY - 2017/11

Y1 - 2017/11

N2 - Using ethnographic data, we provide a critical reflection on the discrepancies between the application ofagile development principles and the conditions which render these principles effective for global softwaredevelopment work. This reflection is based on the analysis of a failed collaboration within a global softwareproject, which relied heavily on feedback from mundane project tools utilized for everyday coordination andmonitoring. Our study reveals that these tools hid serious issues relating to both the distribution of sociotechnicalskills and a discharge of accountability in task execution. As a result, markers of complexcollaborative problems were concealed. Furthermore, the imbalance evident in outsourcing setups, which isenacted through high and low status task distribution among partners, further compounds collaborationproblems by emphasizing assumptions about remote workers in the absence of direct forms of knowledgeinterchange.

AB - Using ethnographic data, we provide a critical reflection on the discrepancies between the application ofagile development principles and the conditions which render these principles effective for global softwaredevelopment work. This reflection is based on the analysis of a failed collaboration within a global softwareproject, which relied heavily on feedback from mundane project tools utilized for everyday coordination andmonitoring. Our study reveals that these tools hid serious issues relating to both the distribution of sociotechnicalskills and a discharge of accountability in task execution. As a result, markers of complexcollaborative problems were concealed. Furthermore, the imbalance evident in outsourcing setups, which isenacted through high and low status task distribution among partners, further compounds collaborationproblems by emphasizing assumptions about remote workers in the absence of direct forms of knowledgeinterchange.

KW - distributed work, distribution of socio-technical expertise, ethnography, failure, categories, global software development (gsd), invisible work, task accountability

U2 - 10.1145/3139336

DO - 10.1145/3139336

M3 - Journal article

VL - 1

JO - Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction

JF - Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction

SN - 2573-0142

IS - CSCW

M1 - 74

ER -

ID: 186525575