It would be nice if all project teams were able to work in the same office, or even within the same building. However, the fact remains that many teams are spread across large areas. Remote teams are becoming more and more common as large businesses implement new projects and technology fosters better teamwork and collaboration across vast distances. However, there are some unique challenges you’ll face working with a remote team and you’ll need to know how to handle them.
Voice Communication
When working with a remote team, it can be easy to let communication dwindle to email and instant messages. However, there’s no substitute for an actual person-to-person conversation with your team members. While it might not be possible to meet in person, there’s a lot to be gained from just picking up the phone. Real conversations can convey things not apparent in an email, and can help you avoid misunderstandings and miscommunication. If available, video conferencing can be an even better solution, though it might not be possible for all teams.
Build a Wiki
Communication is important, but not all team members will want to communicate in the same way. You can kill two birds with one stone by building a wiki or a bulletin board system where your team members can interact, share information and create a knowledgebase that provides answers to common questions. This can also cut down on the need to communicate in order to answer basic questions. A wiki/knowledgebase can be an invaluable resource for every team member, and can even offer benefits where upper management and stakeholders are concerned.
Stay on Target
One common occurrence with remote teams is for team members to slowly lose sight of the project’s target. This happens because of a lack of direct interaction with each other and working in different environments. As the project manager, you will need to ensure that every member of your team stays focused and on target, keeping both their short-term goals and their longer-term goals in mind. Every team member will be responsible for milestones and tasks that build on each other to eventually achieve the project’s goal – keep your team members focused and moving forward.
Don’t Be Afraid of Technology
Remote teams are only possible because of technology. However, the number of project managers and team members wary of new technologies is surprising. Don’t be afraid of new technology. Just because it’s different, that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad thing. Of course, you don’t need to automatically embrace all technology either. It’s important to keep an open mind, but scrutinize the various technological options out there to ensure that you’re working with the tools that serve you best.
Working with a remote team does not have to be difficult. Communicate constantly, stay focused and ensure that you and your team have the right technology for the job. You might be surprised at just how effective your team can be even when not working in the same physical location.
