One of the first things to consider when setting up a new project in the modern working environment is how the team will be structured. Historically, it was simply a case of assembling the project team in one location and getting on with the work, but with the evolution of virtual teams, supported by the rapid evolution of computer mediated communications, the option of using a virtual team is open to even the smallest project or organisation, but the question is still “Is a virtual project team your right strategy?”
Making the right choices
- How large is the team going to be and do you have the right skills and numbers in your current location.
- What experience do you have with virtual teams and consequently how much is the approach going to add to your execution risk.
- What would be your principle motivation for virtual teams be? cost saving, access to specialist skills or the novelty of trying something new.
- What would virtual team execution do to your current workforce and business.
If your needs are small, you have the skills all located in one place and your costs to execute the work there are acceptable then clearly heading down the path of virtual team execution is not right for you, conversely, if you have a large need, a small pool of personnel to draw from and an unacceptable cost to your business to do the work in that one location, you need to seriously consider using virtual teams to do your work.
However, even if every indicator you consider is saying you need to look to virtual teams to undertake your project there are still some considerations to make before committing. Have you considered the changes to your organisational practices and procedures needed to make a virtual team undertaking successful? you will need procedures that help control the quality of the work, that support the communications between offices and individuals and a reward structure that recognises and rewards personnel and locations for working for the greater good of the business rather than the more traditional reward for the performance of their discreet business unit.
Additionally, you need to consider where you will source the additional personnel needed, where your virtual colleagues will be located? If it is a part of your organisation that is ready and able to take on the work, your chances of success are improved, but if you are going to establish a new office in a remote location, potentially somewhere you have no previous experience of, and hire new people there, you need to be prepared for a substantial learning process as the new personnel get up to speed on your project, your company and your procedures, and for them to get to know their new colleagues.
Is a virtual project team your right strategy
From the above very brief outline you will hopefully have seen that there are a large number of factors to consider when deciding whether to use a virtual team of not. For many businesses the decision is made very clear by a shortage of the right skills in any single location, making the need for virtual teams immediate and sensible, however, as the team size gets smaller and the business less able to support some of the demands of virtual teaming the decision needs a great deal of careful consideration and planning before finalising the approach.
Share your experiences
Have you thoughts on the deciding whether to use a virtual team for your project you would like to share? If so, we would love to hear from you.
How can we help?
Ulfire specialises in supporting organisations plan, establish and run high performing virtual teams. We combine extensive practical experience from decades of involvement in virtual teams, with current, real world, academic research into the way members of virtual teams collaborate. Please contact us to discuss ways we can help your business, or sign up using the form below to receive our regular newsletter.
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