Management in a remote work environment may seem intimidating at first. Even experienced project managers who grew up within traditional office settings may struggle to understand how best to oversee distributed teams.
Without regular shoulder tap checks and quick discussions at the water cooler, it can be challenging to stay informed of progress and address issues quickly.
1. Communication
Communication is of utmost importance when managing any project, regardless of team members’ locations. It ensures everyone on the same page, understands what’s expected from them, and is aware of any risks or issues which arise.
Remote teams rely on more rigorous processes for tracking progress and communicating project updates, which is why investing in remote collaboration tools that promote open and clear communication as well as create a sense of collaboration is so vital.
Set up a central document management system for project work, using chat platforms or video conference tools to encourage collaborative efforts during remote meetings. Be sure that all communication is documented and accessible to all team members if this is your first remote project.
2. Collaboration
Communication and collaboration tools are vitally important for remote team members. By arming your team with the best remote tools for project management, they can work seamlessly and ensure everyone knows about their responsibilities and deadlines.
Instead of just running into each other to remind them about an approaching due date or discuss how they’re handling a task, remote teams need to formalize and document these processes – including using tools like Creately as document management platforms and online whiteboard tools that facilitate collaborative work.
This allows each team member to feel more engaged with and invested in the project, increasing morale and productivity while decreasing micromanagement from managers, which can be disruptive and demotivating.
3. Planning
Project management is an expansive field that encompasses many processes and tasks to be managed effectively. Working remotely further complicates matters as managers must devise ways to keep team members on task without their physical presence present.
Cloud-based project management software and collaborative tools such as Lucidspark can be an effective way to streamline team collaboration in real time with visual tools that make it simple for everyone to see what everyone else is working on.
Remote projects must have a clear plan that is regularly communicated and updated across the team. Establishing clear expectations, creating timelines and milestones, scheduling meetings and progress reviews as well as encouraging constructive feedback are all integral parts of this planning process.
4. Time management
Email, social media, co-workers, kids and random thoughts all present distractions in the workplace; therefore it’s essential that you develop an effective time management strategy and use digital planning tools such as calendars or project planning apps in order to manage all these distractions effectively and reach your goals.
Management of remote projects demands a unique approach to scheduling and timelines. Without being able to quickly reach team members for quick updates in person, it becomes important that tasks and deadlines are documented openly and shared among team members in an accountable fashion.
One effective strategy for this is creating a clear roadmap of your project’s scope, and grouping related tasks into categories that make them easy to identify and prioritize. Furthermore, setting goals and delegating decision-making authority to team members are another great way to increase efficiency while creating a sense of ownership among team members.
5. Reporting
As a project manager, it’s vital that you check in regularly with remote team members. This enables you to stay apprised of progress while making sure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities as part of the team. In addition, regular check-ins help address any potential issues quickly and effectively, which may prevent delays or failure.
An effective team culture when working remotely is also crucial, although challenging. But this can be achieved using online team-building activities, virtual games and casual video chats to foster an environment in which members feel connected to one another and inspired to work hard – this could make the difference between a high performing remote team and one that struggles.
