KR15 System Development With Virtual Teams In Collaborative Development Environments

AbstractTechnology has developed such that it allows for effective remote collaboration on system development in a team‐based environment. Two avionics examples of systems developed in such a way are the Airbus 380, and the Eurofighter, with development split between several European countries. Additionally, outsourcing has become endemic in the industry, providing advancement and much needed revenue for developing countries, but complicating development and integration issues. To illustrate the issues involved in remote collaboration, this paper investigates a study of the interactions of high and low performing distributed student teams on a development project. Results indicate that not only is communication crucial to a team's success but the process and timing of specific actions can have an impact on a team's performance. The paper also examines the system development lifecycle and how collaboration changes during the different phases of the project, and lessons to be applied to systems engineering.