So, you’ve signed the deal and are about to start sending development work to your new outsourcing partner in Latin America.
Well done! You are on the way to enjoying the many benefits of doing business in this diverse, competitive, and culturally rich region that’s just a time zone and, in many cases, a single plane ride away.
Then the success of your project is largely going to come down to effective project management, incorporating an approach that takes account of those cultural factors specific to the country where your partner is based.
Effective project management is a multifaceted discipline that requires a combination of technical skills, strategic thinking, and interpersonal abilities. It’s challenging enough getting project management right in-house where you can all pile into the same conference room to hash out problems, let alone keep projects humming on time and budget when the bulk of your workforce is sitting in a different country.
In my experience, there are eight key attributes you need in effective project managers. They include:
Strong leadership is essential for motivating the team and driving them to achieve their goals. A project manager should be able to inspire and guide the team towards the project vision, adapting to changes and empowering team members to contribute effectively. Your project manager equally needs to have a strong leader in the outsourcing firm to work with. This is more important than finding the best software developers
Decision-making ability
Project managers must be capable of making sound decisions quickly. This involves assessing situations, considering the implications of various options, and choosing the best course of action to move the project forward.
The ability to negotiate effectively is necessary to resolve conflicts and maintain harmony within the team. This involves mediating differences in opinion and finding solutions that satisfy all parties. This requires empathy. Understanding and caring for the needs of the project, its stakeholders, and team members is a sign of an empathetic leader. Includes being grateful for their contributions and support. A project manager who can negotiate firmly, but fairly, and understands how cultural nuances play into solving disputes, is worth their weight in gold.
A solid understanding of the technical aspects related to the project is crucial. This includes familiarity with project management software and other relevant programs, as well as the ability to take strategic initiatives when necessary. Your lead person in the nearshore team needs to have up-to-date knowledge of the technical platforms and tools that will be employed to get the work done.
The ability to foster a cohesive team environment is important. Project managers should focus on the positive traits of team members, treating them fairly and justly, and ensuring that the team works in unison. In a nearshore outsourcing arrangement, that team-building ability rests on the project manager spending time with the nearshore team before the developers roll out their sleeves and get to work.
Highly effective project managers are organized, understand the interdependencies within their project plans and resources, and can adjust as needed. A high level of organization is all the more important when teams are dispersed.
The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and reprioritize tasks is a key trait of successful project managers. Embracing an agile approach allows project managers to encourage creative problem-solving and adaptability within their teams. I am not a proponent of prescriptive processes. I prefer using agreed frameworks and guiding principles. You and your outsourcing partner don’t have to do things the same way. But defining that interface that ensures you can work seamlessly is imperative.
Effective Project Management - Putting it into Practice
You have educated yourself on the cultural context of your nearshore team, established a strong foundational relationship, and put good project management in place. The rest of the equation comes down to the processes you apply, and the nuts and bolts of effective project management.
Here are six things you need to put in place to keep your project on track:
By following these strategies, companies can establish and maintain effective communication with their nearshore software outsourcing partners in Latin America, leading to successful project outcomes and long-term partnerships.
At Accelerance, we are the experts at project management in outsourcing partnerships and can help you set up your project for success. Get in touch with us to find out about our Align workshops, which help you put the project management in place that will see your plans come to life.