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Virtual Project Teams
MGMT 526 Project Management
by
Mazher Abdul Qayyum
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Virtual Teams
e-Projects
Project team crosses Time, Space,Organizational, or Cultural boundaries
Tele-Commuting
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Why Virtual Teams?
Cost Benefits
Skilled Resource may be located anywhere in the world.
Work productivity is 24hrs vs. 8 hrs.
Workers tend to be more Productive; i.e., they spend less time onCommuting and Travel
The increasing Globalization of Trade and Corporate Activity.
Creates Alliances and Mergers between Organizations.
Technological Sophistication.
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Characteristics ofVirtual Teams
Time SeparationPeople may not be available to interact with each other during certaintime periods.
LanguageThis communication challenge increases the chances that people mayincorrectly interpret a message.
CultureMembers may come from different organizational and culturalenvironments. Peoples work styles and communication practices maydiffer.
Members may never meet each otherin person.Interaction
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Characteristics ofVirtual TeamsC
haracteristic Impact
DistanceDistance
Reduces Communication Frequency
Reduces informal communication
lowers communication richness
Impacts productive architecture
Impacts choice of process/development strategy
TimeTime SeparationSeparation
Inhibits the use of synchronous communication
Affects the selection of communication media/type
Affects task allocation
Language DifferenceLanguage DifferenceAffects the selection of communication media / type
Communication Effectiveness
CrossCross--Cultural DifferencesCultural Differences
Affects group decision-making
Team performance
Communication Effectiveness
Multiple sitesMultiple sites
Affects the type technological infrastructure and communication
Introduces human resource staff of different skill and productivity
Increases management overhead
Introduces the challenge of team building, especially establishing and maintaining trust
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Managing Virtual Teams
Because of characteristics, discussed earlier, virtual teams createscomplex challenge for Project Managers.
Complex Challenge
These challenges can be over come by efficient system of:
Communication andCommunication and
CollaborationCollaboration
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Managing Virtual Teams - 1
Team Structure
Team Assessment
Share Organizations Structure
Part of Team,
Key contacts
Admin, Personnel, IT Support
Assessment at regularintervals
Visit to Project Office
Project Audit
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Managing Virtual Teams - 2
Team Recognition
Team Interaction
e-Recognitions
Webcasts
Project Kick Off Meetings
In Person Orientation
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Supporting Virtual Teams
High-performance team members must successfully accompl
ish
thefollowing tasks:
Share project and team-related information in a timely andaccurate manner
Share Information
Create and sustain trusting and productive interpersonalrelationships
Interpersonal Relationships
Effectively collaborate to perform project workCollaboration
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Technology Support
Software that aids virtual team functioning can beseparated into two main categories:
Software that provides:
Ease of CommunicationEase of Communication
Provides Task and Document OrganizationProvides Task and Document Organization.
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EmailOnline Collaboration
Telecommunications
Virtual Meetings
Software that improves the ease of communicationoften includes features such as presence awareness,instant messaging, and web conferencing.
Communication Technology - 1
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Communication Technology - 2
Communication Need Approach Application
Share project-related information e-mail
Sharing factual information; confirming
and recording discussions and
agreements
Company intranet
Storing plans; entering, storing and
reporting on progress data; storing project-
management forms and procedures
Video ConferencingDiscussing and clarifying issues
Support interpersonal relationships Video Conferencing
Introducing new team members;
acknowledging team and individual
accomplishments
Collaborate on project activitiesInteractive web
conferencing
Discussing topics; meetings;
brainstorm
ing
VideoconferencingDiscussing topics; meetings;
brainstorming
e-mail Sharing data, reports
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Collaboration Technology
Rich and Flexible ExperienceMore effect
ive commun
icat
ions
ROI Factors
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Available communication technology can address a wide range of the virtual
teams routine communication needs.
When possible, however, people should meet in person to periodically
reinforce their relationships and the teams focus and identity.
Modern Day Communications
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Few Questions...
Question Yea NayHave you ever Tele-commuted?
Do you want to be a part of Virtual Project Team?
Do you you think Social neworking websites be
allowed to access in Office?
Technological Advances helps both traditional
and Virtual teams become efficient?
Do you see an app like ex. "Twitter" be used in
workplaces in future?
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Modern Trends?
May be Twitter (Twitter like app) @ Workplace .....???May be Twitter (Twitter like app) @ Workplace .....???
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References
Jack R. Meredith, Samuel J. Mantel, "Project Management, A managerial Approach".
David I. Cleland, Roland Gareis, "Global Project Management Handbook".
Gerard M. Hill, "The Complete Project Management Office Handbook".
Gretchen Lang, "Cross-cultural training : How much difference does it really make?" TheNew York Times, January 24, 2004.
Mike Rolfes, "Virtual Project Management",http://www.umsl.edu/~sauterv/analysis/488_f01_papers/rolfes.htm
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_team.