This article describes how working in virtual teams has evolved recently and ways that it can improve efficiency in the workplace.
Working in Virtual Teams
Kevin Rio
Krio Media, LLC
www.krio.me
2008
Technology leaders must possess a broad range of skills to make them effective. The ability to improve how teams and individuals interact, solve problems, and work effectively cannot be overlooked (McGovern et al., 2004). Having experience in the field in a necessity as it is not possible to effectively lead if individuals do not believe that the leader has never been in their place before. Leaders with strong technical skills help to improve an enterprise by ensuring that it adapts to changes and improvements in technology and research. Successful technology leaders understand that alternative strategies to develop software are essential to success. A technology leader must understand that development should concentrate on the user and providing the best experience possible through the delivery of useful software. Successful technology leaders also understand that it is important to keep software requirements to a minimum at the beginning of a project (McGovern et al., 2004). Software requirements should concentrate on providing only the absolutely necessary specifications as requirements tend to change during the course of most projects.
Keeping a budget under close scrutiny and at a minimum also helps the development process as it ensures that only the necessary requirements are being developed and team members do not develop unnecessary functionality that will lengthen the process. Technology leaders understand that the end user may be the most important member of the development team. The customer will be the final decision maker of a products success or failure. Thus, they should be incorporated into the development process. Successful leaders understand that utilizing the customer to conduct tests and provide input as to the products ability to function as necessary is essential (McGovern et al., 2004). Technology leaders understand that they must lead by example and understanding. Their expertise in the field is their most important quality that cannot be substituted. Many enterprises fail to recognize this and cause the technology leader to clash with those who are uninformed and have no expertise in the field.
Many enterprises today believe that leadership can be created simply by participated in seminars instead of investing in the aforementioned qualities. Information technology leaders are faced with the task of having a strong understanding of both information technology and business. Other individuals in the company may assume understanding of how information technology should operate and its functions. Leaders understand that diversity is key in creating an environment for workers that fosters communication, adaptation, efficiency, problem solving, collaboration, agility (McGovern et al., 2004).
It is often necessary for a leader to create a virtual team to develop a project. This allows engineers, developers, and other personnel to work effectively and interactively even if they are located in different regions. Effective leaders understand the need to have diverse skill sets in each location and strong coordination between groups to ensure that costs remain low (Chorafas, 2004).
www.aporc.org/LNOR/6/ISORA2006F30.pdf
Globalization has changed the structure that many enterprises use to interact and complete daily business activities. Flexibility is considered an essential ability for all enterprises and a necessity of virtual teams. The need to establish an international presence drives enterprises to create virtual organizations with the goal of making them as effective as in house developers and users. Virtual teams allow enterprises to create a strong workforce from geographically diverse individuals.
sais.aisnet.org/2005/Thomas%20&%20Bostrom.pdf
The ways in which enterprises are improving their development are changing dramatically. The use of virtual teams has allowed them to change how they complete projects and the success rates of them. Technology support is essential in developing a successful virtual team. These supports can come from many tools, such as project management systems, scheduling systems, communication systems, and decision support systems. It is important for leaders to directly manage the methods of communication between teams and to foster information sharing between them.
http://www.effectivemeetings.com/technology/virtualteam/mci10.asp
Worker trends and studies have shown that alternative work practices, such as virtual teams are increasing job satisfaction, saving costs, and increasing productivity. Typical virtual worker teams consist of six individuals who meet once a week and believe that this type of coordination helps to lower enterprise costs.
Works Cited
Chorafas, D. (2002). Enterprise Architecture and New Generation Information Systems. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC.
McGovern, J., Ambler, S., Stevens, M., Linn, J.,Sharan, V., & Jo, E. (2004). A Practical Guide to Enterprise Architecture. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc..
