a case for remote teams
DESCRIPTION
Working face-to-face is known to be the best - teams build trust, get to know each other well, and achieve great results. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get all people involved in a project within a shouting distance for the duration of the work. Enter remote teams. Off-shoring and remote work are harder, but can be a good way to get work done, with the right culture and organization.TRANSCRIPT
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Costs and Benefits of
Distributed Agile TeamsJane Prusakova
Improving Enterprises @2014
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Why Agile?
Complex problem space
High-risk projects
Smart workforce
Continuous learning
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Why Distributed?
Availability of resources
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
People matter
Hard-to-find skills
Excellent team work
Innovative approaches
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
In the ideal world
Face to Face
always wins*
* all else being equal
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
In the ideal world
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
In reality
* all else is never equal
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Can remote teams be
COMPETITIVEwith collocated teams?
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Lets consider trade-offs
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Who are
the remote team?
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Who are
the remote team?
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
… and their reasons
Avoid traffic
Workspace setup
Music, snacks,
chair
Live close to
family
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Struggle of distributed teams
Communication
Trust
Shared vision
Teamwork
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Collocated Remote
Face-to-face
communication
Tools-based
communication
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Collocated RemoteFace-to-face
communication
Tools-based
communication
Natural flow of
interactions
Limited
interactions
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Collocated Remote
Face-to-face
communication
Tools-based
communication
Natural flow of
interactionsLimited interactions
Traditional ways
to build trust and
share vision
Abundant
opportunities for
distrust and
misunderstanding
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Working together as a team
Collocated RemoteFace-to-face communication Tools-based communication
Natural flow of interactions Limited interactions
Natural ways to build trust and
share vision
Abundant opportunities for
distrust and misunderstanding
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Improve remote teams
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Communication
Pick the best tools for different kinds of
communication
Building consensus
Information transfer
Team dynamics
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Craft opportunities
for interactions
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Trust and teamwork
Teamwork is everyone’s responsibility
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Remote Remote
Tools-based
communication
Mindful communication
using the right tools
Limited interactionsCraft interactive
opportunities
Abundant
opportunities for
distrust and
misunderstanding
Mature team focused
on building trust and
shared vision
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Same or close time zones
Long distances
In-frequent travel
Continuous communication
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Same or close time zones
Long distances
In-frequent travel
Continuous communication
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Dream Team
Wide-bandwidth communication
Face-to-face is ideal
Excellent technical skills and experience
Great teamwork
Shared vision, working relationships
Stability over time
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Remote Team
Wide-bandwidth communication Face-to-face is ideal
Well thought-out communication via tools
Excellent technical skills and experience
Great teamwork
Shared vision, working relationships
Stability over time
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Competitive advantage
Better people
Technical skills
Soft skills
Emotional maturity
More stability
Remote work option is rare and desirable
Connectivity easily available
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Costs and Benefits of
Distributed Agile Teams
Remote
Jane Prusakova
Improving Enterprises @2014