Project Management in Distributed Teams – How to Improve Remote Collaboration?

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Effective project and task management The key to effective management in distributed teams is the best possible integrated project management tool. Working in a distributed team must be based on the most effective division of tasks and responsibilities for their implementation. This organisational sphere must be clear and legible for all participants in the process.

This also applies to tasks such as the joint planning of activities and the summarising of results. Project work in distributed teams is strengthened by appropriately selected platforms, which not only reinforce all components of project processes, such as document work, but also influence the overall activities of the implementation team. Appropriate use of communication tools The value of working in a remote team must be based on the effective use of communication tools.



Among these, instant messaging plays a key role, allowing the team to interact in real time. Another important solution for remote teamwork is video conferencing, which allows online meetings to be conducted. Although it requires the presence of the entire team, it allows everyone involved in a given project to meet and be active at the same time, allowing not only conversation, but also analysis, discussion of any key project issues.

It is worth remembering that the tools used for internal communication should not be too many, then we will avoid communication noise and over-application. In addition, the effectiveness of the work in the team must be based on the developed common rules of communication: hours of availability, frequency of meetings, response time, etc. Time and performance management In order to maximise the efficiency of the team, a few basic principles need to be applied.

First and foremost, the delivery team should always be given a realistic package of tasks to complete. The value of strengthening the team's work is always good feedback and the best possible planning of activities. Already at the beginning of the conceptual work, all expectations, variables or other competence factors should be included in an important document, the Project Charter.

A properly prepared Project Charter, including a description of the scope of the project, its objective, business case, milestones or duration, will improve the functioning of a dispersed team from the very beginning. Employee involvement The functioning of distributed teams has a not insignificant impact on the work culture and the preferred team operating model. The involvement of employees in distributed work environments is greatly influenced by a friendly organisational environment, a sense of community and an awareness that their activities are valued.

The team leader, as well as the organisation as a whole, plays a not insignificant role in such structures, which lack opportunities for face-to-face interaction in shared spaces such as the office. The key to success is to understand the needs of the team and the factors that influence their engagement. These criteria are worth keeping in mind when deciding on a particular project management programme.

We should realise that not all solutions will always meet our expectations, and that we are not always in control of all the projects going on in the company without exception. The human factor, combined with the best project management software, can play a decisive role in the success of the entire project..