What do you do if your software project team is working remotely?

A fully remote team is a reality in the post pandemic era. As a project manager, I have faced the following challenges: - Communication issues (non verbal communications does not happen, I cannot emphasize the seriousness of a topic adequately) - Collaboration (people do not trust each other or recognize each other's capabilities since they do not spend adequate time with each other. This results in lack of knowledge sharing) I use the following methods to bring people closer: - Use video calls to show them how I look and how my expressions are - Speak slowly, since a lot of information may get lost - Force people to talk to one another to solve their problems. - Make people in different locations work on the same object.

While managing a remote project it is essential to know what you want to achieve. Understanding your goals & expectations will help you build a remote software development team that understands the project requirements & also possess the skills to achieve the project success. Defining the project timeline, tools to use, number of developers needed, hours to be spent, quality standards to achieve, etc. can help you streamline a smooth project management.

1. Utilize a range of communication tools, including video conferencing tools (e.g - google meet), messaging platforms (e.g - Slack), and project management software (e.g - JIRA), to foster collaboration and maintain connectivity among team members. 2. Set clear project goals, timelines, and expectations from the start to ensure everyone knows what they need to do. 3. Regular Check-ins (daily scrums) to discuss project status updates, address any issues, and ensure alignment among team members.

Set clear expectations and follow up on a weekly/daily basis and do not micromanage. Encourage open and constructive conversation such as brainstorming over issues as a group. A monthly one on one connect with individuals and if possible a casual meeting every month.

Working in remote teams in the new "normal" and from my experience, the following considerations are critical: (1) Clear communication channel or forums, Microsoft Teams is a good one whereby the team feels connected and well informed of the progress and next steps. (2) Clear understanding of the project goals and expectations, that is, each team member understands his role and contribution to the overall project deliverables. (3) Use of proper tool to track and manage project tasks - JIRA is a good example. It enables the team to stay organized and focused. (4) Team cohesion is also very important when working remotely - Recognize and celebrate team members achievements :)

On-camera daily stand-ups are a really effective way to establish a common foundation and recognize that you're working with people, not just screen names. I've found that discussing plans and blockers rather than reciting accomplishments keeps them focused. Rotating the scrum master's role through the team provides ownership and allows people to add their personal touch and humanity.

In any work whether it is done in personal life or in professional life having a clear communication makes things simple and faster. Using the right set of communication tools is going to help you build communication systems where messages are exchanged smoothly. Using various communication channels like video conferencing, email, audio calling or chats can help you understand and define diverse communication channels to achieve a smooth communication. Moreover using tools like Gmail, WhatsApp, skype, zoom can help you communicate with your team and client with all ease.

No "novo normal" com times trabalhando mais remotamente que físicamente juntos, a integração é mais dificil (mas não impossível). Físicamente é muito mais fácil criar sinergia no e entre os times. Para times que trabalham mais tempo remoto, é crucial criar agendas regularse, com câmeras abertas, e uma jornada light e divertida para consguir engajamento.

Communication is the key aspect not only for project but also in your day to day life, hence in virtual environment consistent communication is very important however it should be bidirectional , communication has to be happened in both way, interactive and open, one way communication is dangerous sometimes, hence while communicating don't be limit with the project , some life stories or motivational discussions are also that much important

É importante criar meios que a comunicação possa fluir no time, isso vai além das ferramentas de comunicação, na verdade, não pensar que a comunicação se resume a textos e reuniões. É importante criar espaços nos quais as pessoas possam interagir, como pedir que as pessoas entrem na reunião antes do horário "oficial" de início e aproveitem esse tempo para o "cafezinho virtual", aquela conversa descontraída que cria laços. A utilização de Open Spaces também ajuda na criação de laços, respeitando, logicamente, a natureza de cada um dos membros da equipe.

Collaboration with trust can do wonders in terms of outcome and quality delivery for the team . There can be various ways of developing but the most important is having clear accountability of different roles ( I don’t mean designation here ) and have respected boundaries for each and every role. With trust being added on team members intent, skill set and capability any team can deliver project and location does not become a challenge. If these two important aspects of collaboration and trust are missing even team of skilled sitting next to you will not be successful in delivering the outcome

Team work always does the trick and teamwork will set up ahead of your competition. While managing a remote software development project it is necessary to understand the importance of collaboration, by setting up team meets, webinars, annual events, etc. you can achieve a smoother collaboration & trust amongst you & your team members.

Trust is very essential while working in remote set ups. Foster a culture of regular connects, 1:1 meetings discussing professional and personal achievements. Invest in open dialogue, recognize small wins and engage in coffee or lunch connects.

Creating trust is the foundation for an effective team. To do this we start with creating a safe place for the team to express their thoughts. My teams use the rule, what is said here, stays here. Another huge trust builder is to not be a know it all. It is okay to get back to the team on their questions. It is even cooler to collaborate with them to find an answer to there questions.

When software teams are working remotely, building trust and encouraging collaboration are crucial. On short, mid and long-term tasks as well as their results, you can all agree. Create a channel of communication where the whole team may gather to discuss the obstacles and give an update on their progress. Beyond this, instead of waiting for meetings to be organized, there should be a functional channel where everyone can yell out the obstacles. Keep an eye on the happenings, go over the actions to check how each deliverable has performed thus far, and conduct a retrospective to determine what should be continued and what needs to be improved. The more trust you instill in your teammates, the more dependable the outcome will be.

Managing global teams in different time zones over many years, I would like to share that your convenience should never be your top priority as a leader. It is always the team first.

Adapting to different time zones and work styles is also important aspect of managing team. We can have flexible schedule(work environment where team members can choose their working hours, as long as they meet project deadlines and attend critical meetings.), Encourage the use of asynchronous communication tools like emails, teams, sharepoint, onedrive, google drive or shared spaces, which allow team members to contribute at their convenience. Find common time windows where team members' working hours overlap for real-time collaboration and schedule essential meetings during these periods, Set clear expectations regarding availability, response times, and deadlines.

A key strategy is to establish a team working agreement that focuses on core working hours. This agreement helps in identifying overlapping hours where team members are available simultaneously, enabling real-time communication and collaboration. It respects the individual work styles and time zones of each team member, while providing a structured framework for synchronous activities. The agreement should also address preferred communication methods and meeting etiquette, taking into account cultural and linguistic diversity. This approach balances the need for coordination and autonomy, ensuring that team dynamics are harmonious and productive in a remote setting.

One of the best ways to work with distributed teams is to establish common times of availability and schedule meetings within those. Outside of those times keeping in contact via a messenger/Teams or email is also crucial to keeping the team on track and collaborating effectively.

As a Team Coordinator, I always prioritize respect for cultural differences and acknowledge local holiday periods, especially considering that my team members are spread across different parts of the world. When it comes to addressing major issues, we adopt a proactive approach by communicating early via email or chat, clearly outlining the points we intend to discuss. If any aspects remain unclear, we schedule a call within a specified time frame to thoroughly discuss the topic at hand.

Often remote working is disregarded due to the inability of organizations to measure performance / work done. Organizations monitoring the hours of working of employees' laptops and other micro techniques don't really gain much as employees still find way arounds. A rather better approach is to set the right performance KPIs with the team and monitor them to understand the health and progress of team. E.g. in my organizations, we have used GitClear and LinearB to understand the overall contribution and performance of developers. This helps in setting the right expecations without having to micro manage them.

Os desafios relacionados ao desempenho e qualidade em projetos remotos vão além do monitoramento direto da equipe. É necessário criar um ambiente de trabalho que incentive a comunicação aberta e a colaboração, além de promover a cultura de feedback e resiliência frente a situações de crises, por exemplo.

When evaluating performance and ensuring quality, we rely on our shared project management tool. This platform enables us to monitor the progress of the project as a whole and track individual contributions toward delivering high-quality outputs.

Quality is always jugged by yourself first. If you are not happy with your work, your customers will also not be happy. Monitor to deliver against set KPI's but not at a compromise against quality.

Monitoring performance and quality in remote software projects requires upfront expectation setting. Clearly defining project goals is crucial, as software projects often entail adaptability to enhancements and scope creep, potentially shifting the goalposts. Visual representations of project progress and direction are essential to ensure transparency amidst dynamic circumstances. Daily stand-ups foster open communication, enabling teams to address lagging issues promptly and maintain alignment with project objectives.

Recomendo sempre utilizar ferramentas disponíveis para facilitar a gestão e também para deixar claro para a equipe os papéis e responsabilidades, bem como os impactos e relações entre as atividades. Dessa forma, será possível perceber a participação do time de maneira abrangente, na qual todos compreenderão seu papel individual e também entenderão o propósito do projeto como um todo.

Provide access to online courses, webinars, and virtual workshops to help employees upskill and stay relevant in their roles. Encouraging learning at their own pace can increase motivation and engagement. Work with each team member to identify their career aspirations and create a development plan to support their growth. Setting clear goals and milestones can keep them motivated and focused. Encourage team members to share their knowledge and expertise through virtual meetings, discussion forums, or mentorship programs. Regular feedback and coaching sessions can provide valuable insights for improvement and growth. Schedule one-on-one meetings to talk about progress, challenges, and areas for development.

having virtual spaces to hang out is important. How do you replace water cooler talk? While it’s impossible to do that having space in your calendar for impromptu time and informal sessions ..like coffee talk is important to build the relationship beyond task/project focussed.

* Fix regular communication channels and meeting schedules. Make it a mix of video calls, chats, emails, and project management tools depending on teams comfort. * build a collaborative, good environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and providing feedback. Use online tools that facilitate teamwork and build trust among team members. * Be mindful of different time zones and work styles when scheduling meetings and deadlines. Encourage flexible work schedules to accommodate individual needs, breaks, respect boundaries and provide resources to support mental health.

In my experience, team should be first equipped with sufficient infrastructure which is important to do his duties , then define clear expectations and timelines for the required deliverables. Also regular cadence should be setup with wider teams virtually for gelling up and thoughts sharing on both professional and personal topics.

Historically we believed that working from home or working remotely is unproductive, but Covid forced everyone to stay indoors and proved it otherwise. Most often WFH was strict no due to dependency on infrastructure and accessibility issues, but remote work forced us to find work around and make it work. My top 3 points would be: 1. Clear open and frequent communication 2. Set clear goals 3. Trust the team and give them the space to execute

When your software project team is working remotely, it's crucial to establish good communication channels, set clear expectations, and use collaboration tools effectively. Make sure to schedule regular check-ins to keep everyone on track and provide support as needed. Foster a positive team culture by encouraging transparency, flexibility, and accountability among team members.

- In my experience , defining goal that can be measurable and set the target for the same . - Regular communication with team to ensure and assist them on their needs to achieve the goal . - trust them and motivate them to achieve the goal .

You should only check employee’s technical skills but also personality when selecting a remote employee. Their personality traits, stress level and their perception of uncertainty also plays a role. Some employees are really good at remote work while some others don’t. Remote work issues can be reduced with proper communication and clear instructions/requirements.

Ter em conta diferenças culturais e hábitos de cada país. Não é apenas o fuso horário que é diferente, mas também as festividades, as crenças a forma de lidar com as diversas situações de cada dia.