Who Bridges the Gap Between Clients and Development Teams? – A Deep Dive into the Vietnamese PMs at Kaopiz

In offshore development at Kaopiz, it is primarily the Vietnamese BrSE (Bridge System Engineer) or PM (Project Manager) who acts as the intermediary between the client and the development team. The PM oversees the entire project with a "bird's eye" perspective, addressing management-related issues. The BrSE’s main role is to accurately communicate requirements and ensure understanding within the development team.

They are at the forefront of tackling typical challenges in offshore development, such as "communication," "quality," and "technical level," making them key players in this field. We spoke with Mr. Cong, who is in charge of PM duties, to learn more about what he values daily and the challenges he faces.

– Could you tell us about your background before joining Kaopiz? I studied Japanese and IT at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, graduating in 2011. After that, I joined a system development company. Initially, I worked as a developer, but gradually took on more BrSE responsibilities. I gained a lot of experience as a BrSE, including a year working in Japan. Currently, I serve as a PM at Kaopiz.

– What are your impressions of working at Kaopiz? When I first joined, I noticed the strong connections among employees and the family-like atmosphere, which makes work very enjoyable. There are many clubs, like soccer, badminton, and yoga, which fosters interaction even outside of work hours. It creates a comfortable environment. I was also impressed by everyone’s drive to improve. Various study sessions on languages and coding are held within the company, which I think is great.

– What role do you play in your current project? My main responsibilities include managing project progress, ensuring the quality of deliverables, and establishing efficient workflows. I also provide technical support to BrSEs and developers. I attend web meetings alongside the BrSEs to facilitate smoother communication with clients.

– What do you prioritize while working? Due to my role, I often have to provide critical feedback or requests for improvement to team members. I try to be mindful of how I convey these messages. Instead of saying, “That’s not good,” I might say, “How about we try this instead?” I want them to feel comfortable expressing themselves. Of course, I can be strict when necessary, but I believe fostering an environment where everyone can share opinions and support each other leads to improvements in both technology and quality.

– When do you find work challenging? I find it challenging when there is a mismatch in understanding between the client and the development team.

– How do you resolve such issues? I think the key solution is to maintain as much communication with the client as possible. I ensure we spend at least 30 minutes each day sharing deliverables and development schedules, as well as exchanging opinions. I also frequently check in with the development team regarding schedules and methods. Every morning, we hold a meeting to share individual progress, tasks for the day, and any issues. I communicate client requests to ensure everyone understands the project. I believe it's important for all team members to have a clear understanding. Implementing Agile development also helps eliminate miscommunication by allowing for regular reviews and feedback in a short time frame.

– What are the strengths of Vietnamese engineers? One strength is their diligence. After work, they actively participate in study sessions both inside and outside the company, eager to absorb knowledge. Another point raised by clients is the rapid growth of Vietnamese engineers. As projects progress, developers continue to develop, which I think is one of the attractions of offshore development in Vietnam. Lastly, teamwork is a strong point. Especially at Kaopiz, we have great teamwork.

Read more: Strengths of Vietnamese Software Developers

– You also conduct study sessions, right? Yes, I hold study sessions for BrSEs once a week. Since many BrSEs at Kaopiz also take on PM roles, we share issues that arose that week and brainstorm solutions or discuss project management strategies. Additionally, if my team needs to tackle challenging technology, we hold internal study sessions to deepen our understanding.

– What are you currently studying? Recently, I've become interested in management methods, not just technology. The team structure depends on client requests, so it varies from project to project. I want to be able to manage any team and offer valuable advice.

– What is your dream for the future? In about five years, I hope to take on the role of "Delivery Leader" at Kaopiz. The Delivery Leader is responsible for ensuring that no issues arise between the client and the development team, and if they do, for resolving them. This role involves managing multiple projects rather than just one, essentially making it a leadership position among PMs. While this position doesn't currently exist at Kaopiz, it will become necessary as the company grows, for instance, when managing 20 to 30 projects simultaneously. That’s when I’ll step in.

– So you plan to work at Kaopiz for a long time? Absolutely! We’re a Kaopiz family! (laughs)

– Is there anything you’d like clients to prepare for successful offshore development? For contract development, accurate information is crucial. When the purpose, nature, and specifications of the product are clear, it makes our work much easier. In lab-type development, or even in contract development, I encourage clients—regardless of their technical knowledge—to actively engage in the process. While it's appreciated to be trusted and delegated tasks, if they become hands-off, misunderstandings are likely to occur. It doesn’t have to be anything complex; even basic technical questions or rough suggestions are welcome! I believe that active involvement is the key to successful offshore development.

Mr. Cong, who is proficient in Japanese, expressed his desire to study in Japan again, stating, “I need to improve my Japanese to handle multiple projects.” It’s inspiring to meet such a diligent and capable PM, and I hope his presence will enhance the efficiency of offshore development in Vietnam. His smile while saying, “I love this company,” was truly memorable.