RESEARCH FOCUS - BUILDING
VIRTUAL TEAMS
Improving Virtual
Teams
Once a VT has been established and is working well
together, it should not be ignored. During the course of the project, many
events will occur which will influence the VT, its work and products.
Therefore, an ongoing programme should be established to support and
maintain the spirit and moral of the VT. This will also ensure that new
and improved techniques are introduced. The Figure below. shows examples
of a support programme
Programme for Ongoing Support of
the VPT
|
Item
|
Example
|
|
Achievement
|
Send an e-mail to the whole project, partners,
or stakeholders
Include celebratory articles on the project website, or site
magazine
Issue an appropriate commemorative gift
|
|
Cultural
|
Celebrate culturally significant days, with an
e-mail or web page
Translate significant documents into local languages
|
|
Social
|
Physical team meet: Have a meal, Attend the
‘big game’, or visit an arts event as a group and discuss your
experiences.
Home team social: Watch a film, Watch the ‘big game’ on TV,
Listen to the latest CD, read a book and discuss it in web pages,
e-mails etc.
|
|
Work Aspects
|
Review and discuss new systems, technologies or
operating procedures
Provide regular progress summaries to stakeholders
Provide regular communications to VT members
|
A regular cycle of training and coaching exercises
should be developed and provided for the VT. These will ensure that the
team members remain aware of each other, their particular skills and
lifestyles, even though they may be geographically separated.
|
