Is Your Organization Prepared to Support Virtual Work?
The decision to launch a virtual team should not be made on a whim. There are several factors that should be carefully considered before launching a virtual team. Most importantly, is your organization prepared to support virtual teamwork?
Online, May 17, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Whether your virtual teams are in the formation stage or have been operating for a few months - it is critical to ensure that they get off to a good start. Organizations that proactively plan how to structure their virtual teams will see a better return on their investment than those that do not. Here are some best practices to ensure your organization maximizes its investment:
Keep Your Virtual Teams at a Manageable Size
OnPoint's research found that high performing virtual teams were smaller and more cohesive than low performing ones. For a team to make decisions effectively and operate efficiently, its ideal size should be five to ten people. When forming a new virtual team, make sure each member has a clear role. If you have larger virtual teams, consider breaking it into sub-teams or a core team with advisory groups so that they function effectively in a virtual setting.
Choose Virtual Team Leaders Carefully
The most effective virtual team leaders balance both the execution-oriented practices and the interpersonal, communication, and cultural factors that define virtual teams. Therefore, organizations should select leaders who possess those key characteristics. When assigning a leader, take the time to select the right individual-and not just go with the first person to volunteer or the person with the best technical skills.
Determine How Performance Will Be Recognized and Rewarded
Recognition is essential for high levels of engagement. Consider the best ways to recognize individual members, the team as a whole, and the team leader. This is particularly important when people join virtual teams on a voluntary basis. It's also important to ensure that the reward and recognition systems promote collaboration among team members.
Ensure Technology and Appropriate Resources Are Available To Support Virtual Collaboration
Organizations need to ensure that virtual teams have access to technology and other resources that support virtual collaboration. While technology is not a differentiator, it is a prerequisite for effective virtual work. For example, are team document sharing sites or other online project management tools available? Is instant messaging, videoconferencing, Lync, WebEx, Adobe, or other technologies that promote real-time, spontaneous interaction available? Do virtual leaders have support from internal technology resources to help conduct virtual meetings and manage projects?
Ensure the Organization Has Virtual Team and Leader Training Available
Virtual team members often have a hard time establishing trust because they don't have the advantage of frequent in-person interaction. Team development activities can help build trust and camaraderie among team members. Many of the most successful teams in OnPoint's study had skill development training during their initial kick-off meeting and additional training over time.
Monitor and Assess Team Performance
Leaders need to have a system in place that helps them regularly review virtual team processes to assess what's working well and what needs to be improved. And most importantly, they need to periodically examine how well the team is performing.
The decision to launch a virtual team should not be made on a whim. Factors such as team membership, team size, the right technology, and effective kick-off meetings should be carefully considered before launching a virtual team. It is also important to ensure the overall organization is prepared to support virtual teamwork.
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