Do you have a successful experience in working as a Project Manager remotely?
Jennifer LapinPMO| Regent LLCFort Lauderdale, FL, United States
It's becoming so popular to work remotely, especially for IT. Do you have this kind of experience in Project management? Does an employer support this opportunity? Saving Changes...
Jennifer LapinPMO| Regent LLCFort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Sep 29, 2019 8:34 AM
Replying to Drew Craig
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Remote working can work, but certainly, not a replacement for co-location, and should be left to more senior-level folks. If remote working is the way the organization decides to go, there will need to be an infrastructure set in place to support it - video, collab, chat, etc. Additionally, there should be a regular cadence of travel to get the team together (within reason, many factors to consider of course)
Personally, I do not like remote working. I like having the option, but prefer an on-site setting so able to interact with others. I firmly believe there is a gap that just cannot be filled when remote. JMO.
Agree with infrustructure requirements, it's really important. Saving Changes...
Milena IlievaProgram Manager Global accounts| VMWareVienna, Austria
Very good question. I see in your questions two parts - remote work and remote project management.
Remote work, as part of role/position's tasks when working with co-workers from other countries or cities, is more and more the preferred way of working by many large organisations to save costs. Of course the current IT technology allows for this and makes it easy and fast, especially when working with people around the globe.
When it comes to project management, the project manager should manage all stakeholders, as well as the team. I see here different aspects - remote or distributed teams and internal vs. external projects - internal vs. external customers.
I have managed successfully remotely many internal projects and programs, with more efforts on my side on the communication and controlling side. Cultural specifics play big part of it. In some cultures personal contact, and getting to know people personally helps a lot to establish good working relationship.
However, if we talk about external projects where customers and/or subcontractors are remote, I think that travels are a must. In some cultures, business is done only through personal meetings. From my experience, I have not met an external customer, who would accept only remote work. Saving Changes...
It is possible, I've done it, but you need decent collaboration tools and people who are relatively expert, as being remote makes picking up coaching and performance needs even more difficult. Even then, it is nowhere near as efficient as the ideal of having all the project team in the same room. Saving Changes...
Yes, working remotely is now part of the norm for most offices workers. Project Management was a early adopter of remote or teleworking. This technologies introduction allowed project managers to manage disparate team in various geographical locations. Also it allows some decisions to be made more speedily as you do not have to wait till the office opens in order to stay updated on new developments and communications. However remote working should not be see as a direct substitute for face to face contact but rather a extra tool that a project manager can use to enhance the skillset of their team. Saving Changes...
Bogdan OprisProject Engineer| Nova SteelTerrebonne, Quebec, Canada
Hello,
Many of the comments are quite convincing to the idea that Remote PM is not the way to go, because of the relationships that need to be built with others.
On the other side, those working on international projects with international stakeholders. The "Relationship" expectations are inherently set for Remote work practices.
Therefore, it goes with the type of project.
For my part, I would be interested to test Remote PM work, even as a part-timer.
As a professional development, I would consider assisting other PM's to learn about other fields.
For now, I have manufacturing PM experience... can't see that happening remotely.
I would be interested to explore IT.
I'm wondering how to try this out, though. Saving Changes...
Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
I haven't worked full-time as a remote PM, but I've had the option for years. While I appreciate the ability to do this when I need to (when I'm ill or travelling), I personally prefer to be in the office. Communication is the vast majority of my job as a project manager, and I can do this more efficiently when I'm in the office. People can ignore a phone call, an email, or an instant message, but they can't ignore me when I'm standing in front of them.
If your team and your stakeholders are distributed, though, then there's no advantage to being in an office. You might as well work from home and save the time and gas money associated with commuting. Saving Changes...
Karl TwortSenior Project Manager| Fresh EggUnited Kingdom
I have managed many software projects using remote teams as the main development arm of the project. Based in the UK, I have remote managed teams from Ukraine, Bulgaria and closer to home, Ireland. Using tools such as Slack, Jira, Skype and yes, the dreaded email, it is possible to effectively manage from afar. That said, I have never worked on a project where the PM is the sole external and remote Project member and think that this could introduce its own challenges and complexities. Sometimes, nothing beats face to face communication. With individual remote teams and local teams in meetings, this can be overcome. At least 1 day a week should be agreed for the PM to be in the office with the team. Saving Changes...
Kimberly McCoyProject Manager| TekSystems - ContractorZanesville, Oh, United States
Yes, my employer allows me to work from home 4 out of the 5 days in a week. We even pick our schedule when to work in the office. Mine varies week to week depending on what is going on in my projects that week. I normally do this on the days when I am meeting important people or have a touchbase to discuss progress/issues. This freedom allows me to really hone in on my time management skills, as it takes a special kind of skill to be able to manage yourself while working from home. it has also helped my organization skills because like most people, I do not want to be carrying files and paperwork around with me on a regular basis. Saving Changes...
Jennifer LapinPMO| Regent LLCFort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Sep 30, 2019 11:24 AM
Replying to Kimberly Chavez
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The PM roles I've held, have my clients and teams located throughout the US and the world. All roles I've held did not have a need for me to be located at an office. I often chose a combination of remote and office work because for me personally, its less isolating to be able to occasionally interact at the office. I tend to be very introverted so forcing myself to go to the office helps keep me in check in this regard. Generally I have tried to be in office at least once or twice a week. I use skype, go to meeting, email, phone, travel, shared network drive, vpn etc to maintain a good presence though remote. I will also note I managed a team of 5 from remote as well. It is all possible with dedication, self discipline and support from your employer.
That's great, I like your approach) I believe, we can reach more results and have a greater success not being attached to one place. Saving Changes...
Jennifer LapinPMO| Regent LLCFort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Sep 30, 2019 12:56 PM
Replying to Eric Simms
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I'm an IT Project Manager, and I spend 4 out of 5 days working remotely. I get much more done this way than by working in the office.
Eric thanks. What on-line resources do you use for the remote control? Saving Changes...
