Course syllabus

Focus: This course focuses on distributed projects and work in distributed teams, in which software development activities are carried out in multiple locations, and often in different countries. The overall goal of this course is to equip software professionals taking the course with the knowledge of fundamental differences of distributed projects, including outsourcing, in comparison with collocated development and skills necessary to overcome the associated challenges. The course will cover a set of practices useful for participating in, organizing and managing distributed projects.

Target audience: This course targets software professionals working in or managing projects distributed across multiple locations, and especially in different countries.

Structure: The course will be organized into five modules. All modules are mandatory for completion of the course and contain an exit test of the knowledge. Upon the completion of all module tests the students receive 1 credit. The list of modules is as follows: 

1. Basic Concepts
2. Key Challenges of Distributed Work and Outsourcing

3. Feasibility of Offshoring and Outsourcing
4. Distributed Project Management
5. Distributed Teamwork  
In addition, the course contains one assignment, in which students are expected to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the topic and ability to apply the knowledge in a situation. In order to maximize the usefulness of the assignment for the students with different background (e.g. managers versus development team members), there is a number of task options available for selection. The completion of the assignment provides 1.5 credits.

Webspace and learning experience
The students have access to the course space on the web-based platform, Canvas. Course content comprises of video-recorded lectures, lecture slides, reading material, short tests for each module and additional links for further reading. The tests are used as the course milestones. All examinations in the course are carried out online.
The expected study pace and individual progress will be maintained by the instructors and made available for everyone to follow. The students will be expected to check the webspace, follow the lectures, fill the tests and complete the course assignment. Consultation times will be available on specific dates and/or upon request.