Software configuration management over a global software development environment

Abstract

Software configuration management is an important support activity in the software development process. In global environments, the software configuration becomes critical due to the characteristics of the distributed development (physical distance, cultural differences, trust, communication and other factors). The objective of this paper is to analyze the software configuration management in a global software development environment, identifying the main challenges. The results are based on a case study carried on at a multinational organization that has offshore software development centers in Brazil, India and Russia, and was recently recognized in the CMM Model level 2 in the Brazilian unit. The results suggest the necessity to adapt and implement some activities in the software configuration management process addressing the main existing challenges. These activities were identified as lessons learned, collected at the end of each project. The problems and the solutions adopted are presented, aiming to relate these solutions to the organization distribution level, considering the project team, users and customers.