A tool for supporting the communication in distributed software development environment

Abstract

In the Distributed Software Development (DSD) is fundamental the use of methodologies, techniques and tools to support the communication and help teams physically distributed in the activities accomplishment. The adequate communication in the cooperative work aids in the activities management, allows the identification of flaws and deviations in the planning accomplishment, it facilitates the conflicts solution, offers support to the decision making process and also contributes to maintain the cohesion of the team. This paper presents a tool that provides synchronous, explicit and formal communication, for a Distributed Software Development Environment. This tool, named VIMEE (Virtual Distributed Meeting), allows relate to CSCW (Computer Supported Cooperative Work) and DSD areas; it defines a common workspace to manage the virtual meeting, it supports the project management and the decision making in group.