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How To Manage Remote Developers With The Possibility To Build Effective Communication Ways
As more and more companies offer remote working opportunities, you may find yourself managing a remote development team based all around the world.
In this article, we?ll discuss working with a remote team and show you how to manage remote developers.
Working With The Remote Development Team
Managing remote development teams can be challenging, but if you practice clear and consistent communication, you won?t notice the difference. This will include setting clear expectations, providing regular updates, and being available to answer questions and provide guidance as needed.
You will need some form of regular ?face-time? to build your company culture. Schedule regular check-ins, whether that be daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, that are non-negotiable.
You should also ensure that the team has all of the tools and resources they need to be successful at all times. This includes having access to the right software and technology, as well as any training or support required.
Because you won?t have the luxury of walking over to someone?s desk with a question, you should establish clear guidelines and protocols for how work should be shared and tracked early on. This may include using project management software or establishing a shared file system.
Creating a sense of culture and community is another challenge you?ll experience when managing a remote development team, but it?s not impossible. Encourage
team members to share their progress and accomplishments and create opportunities for them to interact and collaborate with one another. Virtual team-building and coffee breaks can be extremely helpful.
Read Also: How To Choose The Right CRM Software For Your Company
Challenging Of Working Remotely
Ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal is difficult when teams are based in different time zones and can?t communicate with one another face-to-face.
Set clear goals and priorities and schedule regular check-ins and updates to mitigate this effect. You?ll also find that it’s harder to build trust and establish relationships with team members. Be open and honest in your communication, and try to get to know your team on a personal level. Be responsive and available to answer questions and provide support as needed if you want to build trust.
Remote developers are still people with their own unique needs and personalities. Be sensitive to their needs and understanding and supportive when they are facing challenges or need guidance.
How To Manage Remote Developers On Your Team
Are you ready to start managing your team? Here are a few final tips:
- Establish clear communication channels: Use all the channels for communication at your disposal, including email, instant messaging, and video conferencing, so that your team can reach one another at all times.
- Set clear expectations: Set guidelines for response times and availability to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.
- Use video conferencing: Regular video meetings make it easier to read body language and facial expressions. It?s a great way of getting to know one another.
- Encourage open communication: Create a culture that encourages open, honest communication.
- Document conversations: Use tools to document conversations for easy reference, especially if you are in different time zones.
- Over-Communicate: Over-communicate to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Take language barriers into account.
- Create a virtual water cooler: Encourage after-work social interactions wherever possible, even if it’s only a virtual team-building event once a quarter.
- Be available: Answer questions and emails as soon as it?s possible.
- Use an agenda for meetings: Prepare an agenda for each meeting and share it with the team, so they know exactly who is needed and what will be discussed.
- Don?t forget to show appreciation and recognition. It?s an essential part of building culture. A kind word goes a long way, even if it?s just a shout-out on the company Slack channel.
Final Thoughts
Companies have realized the benefits of working with teams from around the world, but there are plenty of challenges that come with a hybrid or fully remote workforce. You need to redefine your approach to culture and work management completely when you manage a remote development team, but that doesn?t mean you can?t be effective. Follow our tips for communication and management, and your team will work together just as well as they would have in the office.
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