Managing Outsource/Offshore Projects

$1,395.00


  • Virtual Classroom

  • Onsite

← Continue Searching

Duration: 3 Days

The vast majority of outsourced projects are new development or full scope events. There are, however, opportunities for outsourcing to provide legacy application re-engineering, ongoing maintenance, prototyping and even limited element construction. Have we sent too much of the project offshore, when a smaller portion might have been okay? Should we initially use outsourcing as a way to learn about project dynamics and opportunity possibilities? Developing the right plan for your project while preparing for the challenges will make for project success on your outsource activities.

Outsourcing requires a continuous review of success and failure. You must be prepared to assess the situation throughout each step of the process. In this interactive workshop, you'll develop the skills and receive the tools necessary to achieve results. Case studies facilitated by your instructor will give you the practice needed to prepare for the real thing.

Certification:

Certified Outsource/Offshore Project Manager (COOPM)

What You Will Learn

  • Accurately measure the cost vs. the benefits on any outsourced project
  • Mechanics of cross-cultural teamwork and how to integrate them on your projects
  • How your weaknesses that you compensated for now have to be addressed when projects are outsourced
  • Why successful outsourcing is not driven by contractual stipulations (these are remedial measures)
  • Importance of ownership responsibilities being clearly defined
  • Different communication mediums available and why multiple trips might be necessary
  • Why onshore contracts from outsource providers does not deliver better results
  • How project management involves three plans, each intertwined with the other (outsourcer-client-collaborative plans)
  • That outsourcing requires onshore investment in details that would have been compensated for through local understanding
  • That a "word" does not necessarily mean "the word"
  • Why failure propensity in outsourcing is directly attributable to mutual misunderstanding and lack of outsourcing knowledge and experience
  • Establish realistic expectations beyond cost savings
  • What portion of work to outsource and what portion to retain
  • Warning signs of things going wrong and techniques for dealing with them early
  • Cultural benefits that add value to all team members
  • When owning offshore may be the answer to success and when it is not the answer for your situation
  • How to pick the right project and techniques for ensuring its success
  • Form-specific measures that monitor outsourced projects
  • Key steps to becoming an effective Outsource/Offshore Project Manager
  • How Outsource/Offshore Project Management can be a team event and why that matters

Audience

Anyone who needs to accurately understand and manage the role of diverse, remote, cross-cultural teams, including management responsible for outsourced engagements, project managers and project quality managers, testers, IT auditors/managers/directors, business analysts (BAs), operations managers/directors

Prerequistes

Course Outline

1. Project Component Ownership

  • Client Side Components
  • Outsourcer Provide Components
  • Joint Components
    • Collaboratively Constructed & Owned

2. Project Synchronization Establishing Balance

  • Client Project Management
  • Merging Your PM with Outsourced PM
  • Synchronization of Time & Delivery
  • Defining Delivery

3. Project Metrics

  • Establishing Goals
  • Agreeing Upon Measurement Sources
  • Measurement Reconciliation and Reporting
  • Using Metrics to Support PM

4. Project Communications: Construction/V&V/Delivery Periods

  • Understanding the Client Role
  • Defind & Convey Expectations (w/Detail)
  • Ask for What You Want
  • Focus on "What" not "How" (but be inquisitive)
  • Jointly Engineered Communication Model
  • Mistakes in Communications

5. Pre- and Post-Delivery Outsourcer Tasks

  • Project Management
  • Artifact & Component Construction/Qualification/Delivery
  • Application of Professional Expertise
  • Insure Client Input Adequacy

6. Pre- and Post-Delivery Client Tasks

  • Qualified Specifications
  • Inquiry & Dialog Availability
  • Qualification of Received Artifacts & Components
  • Timely and Complete Feedback

7. Harmony through Touchbacks

  • Communication Framework Value
  • Healthy Boundaries
  • Coordination of Effort
  • Real-time Visibility vs. Status Reporting
  • Asking the Question.

8. Recognizing Cultural & Work Differences

  • Paradigm Variances
  • How Much Do You Mandate
  • Impact on End Results
  • Utilizing Differences to Enjoy the Project Experience

9. Managing for Success

  • Meeting Client (your) Obligations
  • Measuring Progress
  • Maintaining Healthy Communications
  • Managing Delivery & Implementation

Exercises:

Exercise 1: Teams and Project Management

Exercise 2: Communications

Exercise 3: Managing Remotely

Exercise 4: Cultural Differences

Course Labs