Agile software development requires cross-functional teamwork and constant communication. That’s especially true of the Scrum variation, which emphasizes daily stand-up meetings (the “Scrum”) in which all project team members answer three questions: What have you done since yesterday; What are you planning to do today; and What’s preventing you from accomplishing your goal?
The surest way to gum up the works, say many agile adherents, is by parceling out tasks to globally distributed developers and testers. They claim distributed resources can’t possibly work as closely and collaboratively as co-located team members. Surely time zone, language and cultural differences would stop the Scrum process dead in its tracks.
MTS Software Development Manager Scott Fawcett has news for those who think this way.
Fawcett is in charge of MTS Systems Corporation’s multi-year effort to develop its flagship MTS TestSuite™ materials and component testing software product line. A first release came in on time and budget and was met with enthusiastic customer appreciation. Much of the credit goes to MTS’ industry-leading domain expertise in the science of materials testing and its rigorous embrace of the agile development Scrum process.
According to Fawcett, credit also goes to Coherent Solutions, a technology solutions and outsourcing firm with offices in both Minneapolis and Minsk, Belarus.
