Many of today’s remote project management teams work on shared objectives while being geographically distant from each other. These scattered teams are often highly productive, but members run the risk of feeling alienated, less accountable to the team, and out of the loop—scenarios that could put successful completion of your project’s objectives in jeopardy. Avoid the most common pitfalls by using these tips to maintain your scattered team’s cohesiveness, morale, and efficiency.
1. Maintain Regular Communication
Effective remote project management requires consistent communication. Schedule regular online meetings or conference calls and ensure the team sticks to the schedule. With mobile phones and widespread online access, missing or postponing meetings should be a last resort. Keeping everyone in the loop with frequent check-ins is essential for maintaining accountability and team alignment.
In a remote environment, spontaneous discussions at the water cooler or in the hallway don’t happen. Therefore, prompt communication is crucial. Respond to incoming messages as soon as possible, and prioritize sending out important updates quickly. This ensures that everyone remains informed and engaged in real time, fostering better collaboration across the team.
2. Utilize a Centralized Document Repository
For seamless remote project management, maintaining a centralized repository for electronic documents is key. This allows all team members to access the latest versions of project files, keeping everyone aligned with the project’s flow. It also promotes a sense of accountability since everyone is working from the same set of documents and information.
3. Be Mindful of Time Zones
When managing a remote team, always consider time zone differences. Encourage team members to be flexible with their work hours, especially for calls and meetings that may occur in the early morning or late evening. A reasonable degree of schedule flexibility helps prevent burnout and ensures smoother coordination among team members across different regions.
4. Recognize Individual Achievements
One of the challenges of remote project management is ensuring that team members’ accomplishments don’t go unnoticed. Publicly recognize individual contributions, even if done electronically. Celebrate achievements by sending shout-outs via email or during team meetings, and include stakeholders in the recognition to strengthen the sense of team unity.
By implementing these strategies—maintaining regular communication, prioritizing timely responses, utilizing a centralized document repository, being mindful of time zones, and recognizing achievements—you can ensure your geographically scattered team stays cohesive, productive, and motivated, even from a distance.
PMAlliance uses a team of highly experienced and certified professionals to provide project management consulting, project management training and project office development services.