Articles

A distributed team? Why and how!

Written by Jens Erik Gould | Aug 23, 2023 5:00:00 AM

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the concept of traditional office-based teams is being redefined. The rise of distributed teams, where employees collaborate remotely from different locations, has become a game-changing strategy for success in the talent marketplace.

Companies that embrace remote work have witnessed remarkable benefits. Lower stress levels, increased efficiency, and reduced turnover in their workforce are just a few of the advantages. By tapping into the potential of distributed teams, organizations can harness high-quality talent from around the globe.

Transitioning to a distributed team model isn't without its challenges, but the rewards are substantial. Adapting your organization to accommodate remote work can unlock untapped potential and lead to a substantial competitive edge. To address concerns about quality, visibility, and agile orthodoxy, cutting-edge collaboration, and communication technology have become key allies.

Best Practices for Building Distributed Teams

  • Remote-Ready Recruitment: Look for traits like proactiveness, prioritization skills, and proficient writing abilities when hiring remote-compatible employees.
  • Empower Autonomy: Create a sandbox environment for your distributed team, allowing them to operate within agreed-upon constraints while fostering creativity and independence.
  • Outcome-Focused Management: Train your managers to measure productivity based on outcomes, rather than mere output, promoting a results-driven culture.
  • Leverage the Right Tools: Equip your team with real-time chat and information radiators to support seamless remote collaboration.

To ensure success, it's crucial to provide the entire team and stakeholders with real-time information about development status. Dashboards displaying build pipeline progress, code coverage, and other key data enable informed decision-making.

Video conferencing tools like Zoom, Slack calls, and Google Meet facilitate effective communication and team bonding. Regular daily scrum stand-ups create a strong team culture and foster trust among team members.

Plan team ceremonies to accommodate all team members, regardless of their location. Encourage your team to define their most productive working hours, fostering flexibility and work-life balance.

Embracing remote work doesn't mean compromising on teamwork or shared experiences! By embracing distributed teams and adopting these best practices, your organization can thrive in the modern business landscape.

Embrace the future of work today!