Virtual Teams:Dealing with Geographical Dispersion

Virtual teams are a reality today. Most large organizations have multiple divisions and locations. Smaller companies may have team members working at different sites, and the current trend to working collaboratively with suppliers, partner organizations, and clients, gives more rise to the need to have diversely-located team members work effectively together.

Virtual teams have many obstacles to overcome. They have to deal with the usual project challenges, and in addition may face very significant communication, motivational, and organizational issues.

In this 1-day course, you will examine the communication and team-building issues of implementing effective virtual teams, and suggest strategies, tools, and techniques to empower the project manager or business analyst to meet the challenges.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Participants will gain practical skills to:

• Identify the challenges and the benefits of working in a virtual team format.
• Select the appropriate team structure.
• Design a communications plan for virtual teams.
• Select appropriate facilitation tools for meetings.
• Describe interventions to maximize the benefits and overcome the challenges of virtual teams.
• Use appropriate team-building and motivational techniques to preserve team unity.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The Virtual Teams course is suitable for individuals who are:

• Project Managers and Business Analysts.
• Leading or about to lead a team across geographical boundaries.
• Considering implementing virtual teams in their organization and would like to be prepared for the advantages and disadvantages of such team structures.

PREREQUISITE

There is no prerequisite for this course. It functions as a stand- alone course.

MATERIALS

You will receive a course binder containing copies of presentation slides, case studies, exercises, and suggested solutions.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Introduction

• Virtual Team Challenges
• Why do it?
• Myths about Virtual Teams
• Exercise: Identify Virtual Team Issues

Forming The Team

• Team Development
• Tips about Forming the Team
• The Orientation Process
• Communication Technology
• Consider the Right Technology
• The Kickoff Meeting
• Exercise: Develop a communication plan for virtual teams project

Developing Team Guidelines

• Establishing Rules of Engagement
• Managing The Team
• Top 5 tips for Managing a Virtual Team
• Building Trust
• Team Motivation
• Monitor Team
• Performance Checklist
• Exercise: Active Listening, Project Manager

Competencies

Disbanding The Team