RESEARCH FOCUS -
BUILDING VIRTUAL TEAMS
Communications
Communications provide contact points and channels of
information for all areas of the project. They bind all the components of
the organisation together, whether they are physically close together or
remote. For VT, it is essential that an appropriate communications
strategy is agreed and implemented, which will include:
- Guidelines
for physical meetings, workshops, demonstrations and site visits;
- Guidelines
for video and audio conferences;
- Lists
of contact details, preferred contact methods, and times;
- Provide
guidelines on reporting methods;
- Provide
records of communications and their distribution;
- Recommend
documents which should be translated / interpreted;
Care should be taken to ensure that the VT members
have the most appropriate communications tools (such as fax machines,
e-mail, telephones etc.), and the team knows how to use them. These need
not be the most modern, rather tools that are reliable and compatible with
the other members of the VT, the MT and relevant stakeholders. Where
possible, data exchange using different types of technology should be as
seamless as possible. This will avoid the need for further interpretation
or transfer of data, either manually or electronically.
Today, there are many electronic meeting support
systems and other collaboration tools available for the VT, such as
Meeting Support, Net Meeting, GroupVision and eRoom) There are also a
variety of specific on line collaboration software applications available
for VT, such as Groupware, and project management suites. In addition,
there are a variety of courses available, which provide specialist
training for communicating and managing VT .
Appropriate training should be provided in the
operating mechanisms and support of all communications systems. This
training should include using the systems in the operating environment of
the VT, taking account of geographic and cultural aspects.
|
