Distributed Teams

In this modern age of digital collaboration, distributed teams are becoming increasingly popular. With the rise of remote working and geographically dispersed collaborators, distributed teams have become an invaluable tool for organizations that need to manage multiple projects in different locations at once. 

Distributed teams are a way to make sure all those involved can work together seamlessly no matter where they’re located. This type of teamwork requires strong communication, trust and respect amongst members, as well as efficient task management in order to ensure projects are completed on time and with quality results. 

It also relies on creative problem solving and effective decision-making processes to ensure that team members remain productive despite their physical distance from each other.  

In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of working with a distributed team as well as some tips for getting the most out of this type of setup. We'll also look at common challenges that come with distributed teams and how to overcome them. 

What Is a Distributed Team?

A distributed team is a group of individuals who work together on an organization's projects and tasks, but do not necessarily share the same physical workspace. 

A distributed team is a modern way of working that allows employees to be geographically distanced while still collaborating on projects. This type of team setup can provide flexibility, increased productivity and cost savings for businesses. 

By leveraging the power of technology, members from different locations can collaborate in real-time as if they were actually in the same room. A distributed team removes the barriers and constraints of traditional office settings by enabling team members to work from any place and at any time, allowing them to better manage their personal life and job commitments. 

With this setup, organizations benefit from having access to global talent, tapping into new markets and easily scaling up or down with changing business needs. Ultimately, distributed teams are an efficient way for companies to remain competitive in an ever-evolving global economy.

What Are the Benefits When Working With a Distributed Team? 

1. Distributed Teams Lower Office Space Expenses

Working with a distributed team can bring tremendous cost savings when it comes to office space. Without the need for physical office space, companies are no longer limited by geographical location and can access a larger pool of talent. 

The cost savings of avoiding or reducing traditional workplace requirements such as cubicles and hardware, parking spaces, climate control, and high-quality IT infrastructure, can be substantial. On top of that, businesses no longer need to pay for furniture, utilities and other overhead costs associated with maintaining an office. 

This is especially beneficial for small businesses who often have a tight budget but require specialized skills from experts located around the world. 

2. Improved Team Agility

Working with a distributed team provides businesses with increased agility when it comes to responding to opportunities or queries quickly and efficiently. 

By having members of a Scrum Team, for instance, spread across different time zones, you can ensure that someone is always 'on the clock' no matter what time of day it is. This enables quicker development turnaround times, as well as faster response times for customer support requests.

3. Easy Access to Top Talent

One of the biggest advantages of working with a distributed team is having access to top talent from all over the world. With the ever-expanding global job market, companies now have access to the brightest minds and most talented professionals, no matter where they are located. 

This means that businesses are able to hire top performers faster than ever before, allowing them to quickly scale and grow their operations in an efficient manner. By tapping into talent sources from different countries and regions, companies can find people who bring new perspectives and skill sets that may not easily be found in one geographical area. 

What Are the Negatives When Working With a Distributed Team?

It is no secret that working with a distributed team has its challenges. When people are not in the same room, collaboration can become difficult and communication can be less effective. The lack of face-to-face interaction often results in misunderstandings, conflicting opinions, and inefficient decision making. 

Additionally, it can be hard to build a strong sense of trust and camaraderie when members of the team only interact virtually. This can lead to frustrations as individuals feel isolated or left out of important conversations or decisions. 

In addition to these issues, there are also practical considerations that come up when dealing with a distributed team. For example, scheduling meetings across multiple time zones requires extra coordination and planning and often involves some members getting up early or staying up late in order to accommodate everyone. 

There are also infrastructure and administrative considerations, such as ensuring all members have access to the same resources and tools, as well as keeping track of communication channels and deadlines. 

Overall, although working with a distributed team does present a variety of challenges, these can be overcome by remaining vigilant about communication, collaboration, trust-building exercises and taking appropriate security precautions. 

Deciding if You Should Employ a Distributed Team

The increased flexibility of remote working allows employees to better balance their professional and personal lives. But just because remote work is becoming increasingly popular doesn’t mean it’s suitable for every industry or type of business. 

Certain industries such as engineering and architecture firms typically require employees to collaborate in person. In these cases, distributed teams may not make sense due to the need for face-to-face communication. Other industries, such as creative design and marketing companies, may be able to benefit from distributed teams since much of their work can be accomplished remotely. 

Businesses should also consider the type of work they offer when assessing whether or not to use a distributed team. Companies that require a lot of customer support activities, for example, might benefit from having employees in multiple time zones; that way there is always someone available to respond to inquiries from customers in different parts of the world. 

On the other hand, companies that offer services related to technology development like software engineering and programming may have difficulty implementing effective collaboration between remote workers due to the need for high levels of accuracy and quality assurance.

There are many mistakes to watch out for with remote teams, and the best way to stay vigilant is to weigh out the pros and cons carefully. While having a distributed team can certainly offer some significant advantages from a business perspective, it’s essential for companies to remain mindful of the potential pitfalls associated with remote work. 

For example, businesses should be prepared for problems related to communication, trust and collaboration when managing employees who work remotely. Additionally, effective management of employee performance is critical in order to ensure that everyone is meeting their goals and staying productive while working offsite. 

By taking all of these factors into consideration, businesses can decide whether or not employing a distributed team makes sense for them. Ultimately, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of both in-person and remote teams will help companies make the best decision for their organization and ensure that they’re able to get the most out of working with a distributed team. 

Conclusion

Distributed teams are becoming increasingly popular with companies looking to tap into global talent, increase their reach and reduce overhead costs. While distributed teams come with numerous benefits, there are also key challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure success. 

With the right tools and communication strategies, these teams can not only become productive but can also foster collaboration between remote members. GoRetro is a great tool for helping those who manage distributed teams stay connected and unlock their team’s collective potential. 

From real-time chat programs to virtual whiteboards and project tracking systems, GoRetro provides the resources needed to support successful distributed teams who rely on clear communication and effective collaboration. Take your team performance up a notch today by leveraging the full power of distributed teams with GoRetro.