A Framework for Measuring Distributedness in Multi-site Projects

摘要

This paper describes a framework for analyzing capabilities of multi-site projects to manage distribution in their daily working practices. The framework is developed from the human-centered viewpoint. We concentrate on interaction between an individual and her environment in an observed entity, e.g. in a project. We distinguish four areas of work: personal work, work with people, teamwork, and knowledge work. We have measured the degree of distributedness of a project by collecting information on how people experience their work through these four areas of work. We have built a conceptual model to demonstrate various aspects of distributedness and interviewed a sample of individuals working in three multi-site projects. When the measurement is repeated the changes can be analyzed against the performed actions of improvements. Each organizational unit has its own goals and plans for the distributedness, which need to be discussed in order to carry out feasible actions.