As geographically scattered teams become commonplace, skillfully managing distributed teams increases the opportunities for success. After considering why you should consider dispersed teams, we’ll offer some tips about how to manage distributed teams. What is a Distributed Team?
A distributed team is when team members are physically in different locations. Dispersed teams can exist across cities, states, countries, and time zones.
Why Consider Distributed Teams?
Distributed teams have several advantages for growing businesses. Access to larger talent pools, greater economy, increased flexibility to work across time zones, and improved work-life balance for employees/contractors are among the benefits of dispersed teams.
How to Manage Distributed Team(s)
Managing distributed team members requires clear expectations, consistent meetings, good boundaries between team-based and individual work, and technology tools to promote communication.
Some tips for how to manage a distributed team(s) in different locations:
1. Set clear expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations for the team’s goals, roles, and responsibilities. This includes deadlines, work hours, communication methods, and any other relevant information.
2. Build relationships: Encourage team members to get to know each other beyond work-related tasks. This may include company-wide virtual team-building events, socialization, and learning workshops. Foster a culture of openness, trust, and respect.
3. Provide feedback: Provide regular feedback on performance and progress towards goals. Schedule regular check-ins with team members to discuss any concerns, issues, as well as successes.
4. Encourage self-management: Encourage team members to take ownership of their work and be responsible for their own time management. Set expectations for communication and responsiveness. Distributed teams work best when comprised of conscientious, mature individual team members.
5. Be considerate of time zones: Make sure to be respectful of team members’ time zones when scheduling meetings and deadlines. Consider using technology tools to help coordinate across different time zones. A general rule of thumb is larger time zone differences present more challenges than differences of an hour or two.
6. Use technology effectively: Use communication and collaboration tools such as video conferencing (e.g., Teams, Meet, Slack), instant messaging, and project management software to keep everyone on the same page. Make sure everyone knows how to use the tools effectively.
7. Mark successes: Celebrate team successes and milestones, no matter how small. Acknowledge the hard work and achievements of team members.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage a distributed team and facilitate a positive, efficient work environment. Costa Rica Software Services has been managing distributed teams of Developers, Architects, QAs, and PMs since our inception 18 years ago.
