VIRTUAL TEAM CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Communication
Communication is on the top challenge list in our virtual projects. Competent project manager would be able to manage and accommodate essential infrastructure and technologies for a virtual project. At the same time he would be present and responsible to react when communicative challenges hit the team.
In general, communication challenges are listed in four major categories:
1- Lack of knowledge about communicative tools and technologies.
2- Lack of knowledge about "order and application" of communication tools and software.
3- Lack of defined codes and standards for addressing issues due to cross cultural works, different regional locations, different time zones.
4- Lack of accountability …show more content…
For example you can ask them to send emails via Outlook, or have a call conference with you and other team members. Ask them to show you a sample of their work with software you want them to work with.
2. Lack of knowledge about "order and application" of communication tools and software tackles you when the virtual stuff are not fully understood when to use what tool. To address the issue, we recommend you prepare a Communication Plan (CP) in which manager put project 's ground rules, list of communication medium, "how to" walkthroughs, who to contact and what time to contact. Making the Communication Plan is a best practice we go in more details:
- In your CP note that you will have at least a five minutes direct contact with all members every day. It can happen by either a phone call or a video …show more content…
Lack of defined codes and standards for addressing issues due to cross-cultural works, different regional locations, and different time zones tackles the project and make everyone suffer when occurred. Knowing how to deal with cross cultural issues has a great impact on the way project manager walks the team through the project. If you as a project manager have enough information about different cultures and multinational teams, and be able to convey it to your subordinates, members will feel comfortable that they are seen and will trust you. Cultural differences are many small factors that can accumulate and create an invisible obstacle. Sometimes the root causes are hard to find. A savvy project manager should be fully aware of the kind of cultures involved in his/her project. For example everyone has to be aware not to call other team members when they are asleep. Or in some cultures it is more appropriate to call people in their family names rather than the first name. The process of decision-making and who says the final word is different from culture to culture. By having a strong personality and enough knowledge, you can take care of these kinds of complexities. Here are some
Communication
Communication is on the top challenge list in our virtual projects. Competent project manager would be able to manage and accommodate essential infrastructure and technologies for a virtual project. At the same time he would be present and responsible to react when communicative challenges hit the team.
In general, communication challenges are listed in four major categories:
1- Lack of knowledge about communicative tools and technologies.
2- Lack of knowledge about "order and application" of communication tools and software.
3- Lack of defined codes and standards for addressing issues due to cross cultural works, different regional locations, different time zones.
4- Lack of accountability …show more content…
For example you can ask them to send emails via Outlook, or have a call conference with you and other team members. Ask them to show you a sample of their work with software you want them to work with.
2. Lack of knowledge about "order and application" of communication tools and software tackles you when the virtual stuff are not fully understood when to use what tool. To address the issue, we recommend you prepare a Communication Plan (CP) in which manager put project 's ground rules, list of communication medium, "how to" walkthroughs, who to contact and what time to contact. Making the Communication Plan is a best practice we go in more details:
- In your CP note that you will have at least a five minutes direct contact with all members every day. It can happen by either a phone call or a video …show more content…
Lack of defined codes and standards for addressing issues due to cross-cultural works, different regional locations, and different time zones tackles the project and make everyone suffer when occurred. Knowing how to deal with cross cultural issues has a great impact on the way project manager walks the team through the project. If you as a project manager have enough information about different cultures and multinational teams, and be able to convey it to your subordinates, members will feel comfortable that they are seen and will trust you. Cultural differences are many small factors that can accumulate and create an invisible obstacle. Sometimes the root causes are hard to find. A savvy project manager should be fully aware of the kind of cultures involved in his/her project. For example everyone has to be aware not to call other team members when they are asleep. Or in some cultures it is more appropriate to call people in their family names rather than the first name. The process of decision-making and who says the final word is different from culture to culture. By having a strong personality and enough knowledge, you can take care of these kinds of complexities. Here are some