Where’s my team anyway? Managing Projects Remotely

Managing projects is challenging but managing a remote (virtual) team includes some nuances.  Surprisingly, you can use these to your advantage.  Here are techniques you can leverage to help your remote resources work as part of a productive team.

1. Have frequent short meetings. Bring your remote team members together. Hold regularly scheduled meetings 3 times a week for just 15 minutes.  This provides a quick opportunity to understand the “pulse” of what’s happening.  These are like water-cooler conversations you have when you’re co-located with your team members.  During these meetings you can discuss work-related items or check on how your team members are doing.  This is time well spent!  These discussions identify problems early so remote team members don’t get stuck trying to solve problems on their own.  These meetings can be with small groups or 1-on-1 depending on the number of people you have and their role on your project.
2. Celebrate wins together.  If you’re celebrating onsite, do something to acknowledge remote team members.  Send them a gift package or tickets to a local event. They’ll feel included and motivated.
3. Insist on good video conference capabilities.  Phone calls are good, but video conference meetings are better…when the technology works.  Seeing someone gives you a better understanding of how meetings are going and enables you to connect with remote team members.  This approach recognizes that non-verbal cues are just as important as your discussions.  If you can’t access video conference capabilities, make sure your speaker phones work properly.  Nothing is worse than being remote and not hearing discussions or being unable to contribute because you can’t be heard.
4. Give analytical assignments to remote team members. Sometimes your remote team members can be more productive as they have fewer distractions. Giving remote members assignments that benefit from quiet, uninterrupted work time can enhance your productivity.  
5. Schedule meetings at different times.  Consider the time zones and schedules of your remote team members. Impacting your local team on occasion is worth the inconvenience to demonstrate consideration for your remote team members.  This sends the message that everyone’s time is valuable and remote team members shouldn’t always be the ones attending meetings outside business hours.

Because many projects have remote team members, these techniques will enable all of your team members to be productive and work together effectively.  Leverage remote members to your team’s advantage – there’s no reason for remote workers to be a disadvantage to your project!