VENTURE: Towards a framework for simulating GSD in educational environments

In this paper we propose an educational framework for designing training courses which focus specifically on the problems entailed in Global Software Development (GSD). The main issues involved are related to cultural, language and communication problems. The principal element of the framework is VENTURE; a virtual training tool that enables learners to get immersed in realistic GSD scenarios. Using this tool, learners will come face to face with collaborative, organizational and technical problems of GSD by interacting with virtual participants in a simulation of people working together from locations that are distant from each other. By means of this framework we also establish the theoretical contents and procedures which would customize the courses for use in university settings or Master programs. We therefore consider that VENTURE is a suitable platform for developing the students´ skills in GSD and we believe that it will allow them to deal with real-world problems, thereby minimizing the effort and costs involved in course design.