Executive Summary
The case deals with the dilema faced by Mr. Jim Notrika for GNC’s first glabal software center in Mumbai. He was managing a team, one from Boston and other from Mumbai. The conflicts among the teams were causing a delay in the completion of the project and incresing the attrition rate.In order to solve the issue we have sugested a number of options which can poosibly be a solutions to the problem. The criterias for evaluations that we have used to evaluate the options are based on Time, Cost,Notrika’s and GNC’s reputation as well as the time-zone difference existing. The best option that we recommend for Notrika to go forward is having video conferences for both the teams at the beginning of week and suggest the plan of action for each team.
Relevant Facts
- GNC with its headquarters in Boston, decided to invest in India and establish a global software centre in Mumbai.
- Notrika’s (software centre manager) first set of decision was about how to coordinate the workflow between Mumbai and Boston.
- Boston office interfaced with customers and Mumbai’s office designed and developed the software, as software engineers in India were far more qualified than those in Boston.
- Clients wanted to be heavily involved in the products.
- Some sort of rift developed between both the teams. Boston office accused Mumbai office of lagging behind schedule.
- Three of most skilled Mumbai engineers quit.
- Mumbai office complained that Notrika needs to take charge of the team, they accused U.S group of telling them to “work harder” and constantly creating new active requests. They also complained about the work style differences between Mumbai office and Boston office.
Problem Statement
The employees of both the offices have issues with each other but none of them approach Nortika. This has led to delay in the project in hand which is due for submission in two weeks.
Options
- Mr. Notrika should take charge by asking the US team to set more realistic deadlines
- Mr. Notrika should explain to the Mumbai team that they have no option but to stick to the deadlines set by the US team
- Get in touch with employees who left and bring them back for the project
- Recruit new employees to complete the project in time
- Deploy representatives from the Mumbai team to the Boston office
- Have weekly video/ audio conference with both Mumbai and Boston teams to bring the team on common footing
- Mr Notrika should make trips to Mumbai office every 4-6 months to have personal interaction with the team and inculcate a sense of belonging in them
- Elect a representative from Mumbai office to have frequent update meetings
Sr. No. | Options | Pros | Cons |
1 | Mr. Notrika should take charge by asking the US team to set more realistic deadlines |
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2 | Mr. Notrika should explain to the Mumbai team that they have no option but to stick to the deadlines set by the US team |
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3 | Get in touch with employees who left and bring them back for the project |
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4 | Recruit new employees to complete the project in time |
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5 | Deploy representatives from the Mumbai team to the Boston office |
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6 | Have weekly video/ audio conference with both Mumbai and Boston teams to bring the team on common footing |
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7 | Mr Notrika should make trips to Mumbai office every 4-6 months to have personal interaction with the team and inculcate a sense of belonging in them |
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8 | Elect a representative from Mumbai office to have frequent update meetings |
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Criteria for Evaluation