Nowadays, the success of a company is largely determined by its ability to keep up with changes and adjust to new conditions. The world has witnessed tremendous technological advances in the past few decades, and the process of development continues. It seems that the only constant in technology is change, and it is remarkable how quickly it happens. One of these changes the world had to adapt to was the COVID-19 pandemic, and by association: remote working.
Remote work has been steadily gaining popularity over the past few years. More companies are discovering that it’s not only possible to run a remote team but also beneficial since it can reduce costs and attract more talent. This article covers the key success factors in running a remote development team in 2022.
7 Factors That Determine a Successful Remote Development Team in 2022
In 2022, working remotely is no longer a trend or novelty, but is an expectation. Many businesses are looking to outsource their tech development. This means that managers are getting accustomed to running remotely distributed teams.
While remote teams come with a new set of challenges, they also allow you to tap into a global talent pool and build diverse, crosscultural teams. However, while hiring remote teams can be a great way to grow your business, you will need to ensure you have the right processes in place to make it a success. These key success factors will help you navigate the unknowns and make the most of your remote development team:
1. Maintain your team’s productivity
It can be easy for people to lose motivation when they aren’t in the same physical space as others on their team. It is important that each member feels connected to not only their work but also wants to collaborate with other team members to achieve common goals. Don’t hesitate to follow up with team members and hold daily or weekly group sessions for a sense of belonging.
2. Communication is key
Communication is key to any development team—but it’s especially important when your team members aren’t all in the same room. Use multiple forms of communication: conference calls, video calls via Zoom/Skype/etc., and even email for important announcements. Be sure everyone knows how and when to use each form of communication.
Have daily calls so everyone knows what’s going on with each other’s projects and can collaborate effectively even when they’re not physically together in person.
3. Dedicated Communication Space
Your team needs a dedicated space to communicate. They can’t be expected to use their personal communication tools—they need a place that’s built for business collaboration and file sharing. This space should allow them to have conversations, share files, and work on tasks together. Opt for technologies that support remote collaboration. Slack is a great example.
4. Support and positive culture
A positive team culture is essential to team success, and perhaps even more so when your team is physically spread out across different locations. Since it’s harder to build fellowship amongst your remote employees, you have to be intentional about building a strong culture, which means investing time and resources into supporting your team’s needs. Be sure to offer opportunities for virtual socialization, such as happy hours on Zoom or just one-on-one check-ins with each team member.
5. Task Tracking and Management Tools
Each member of your team needs to know what tasks they’re working on, when they’re due, and who is responsible for them at any given time. Task management tools allow your team members to keep track of their responsibilities without having to meet up with everyone. A tool like Trello would do the job!
6. Accountability Check-ins
It’s easy for people to get distracted working from home—and it’s even easier for them to go through the motions without actually doing anything productive throughout their day! Team members must be held accountable for their time, making regular check-ins a necessity.
7. Time Management
For the team: What happens when five different time zones come together to work on one project? Chaos. When handling a project, make sure that people of similar time zones are working on it. And if not, then make sure the entire team is aware of the time zone differences, and the challenges that come with it.
For you: Keep a daily planner or to-do list to manage your responsibilities for the day so you do not get overwhelmed. Schedule your meetings according to time slots to avoid overworking.
In 2022, remote development teams are still new and developers are still getting used to the idea of working collaboratively without seeing each other or sharing office space. These 7 factors above are just what you need to drive your remote development team to the path of success. For more tips, follow our blog or get in touch with us.
