I’m doing a research about problems in virtual projects/teams
My question is for managers and member who work in virtual team/group.
Do you agree that the problems below are accurate,
Or are there any problems that shouldn’t be on the list,
Or are there any problems that I should add to the list.
Evident problems in virtual teams are:
• Cultural differences
• Project members’ backgrounds
• Lack or different experiences and education
• Communication difficulties
• The geographic distance
• Time difference
• Isolation
• Lack of social interaction
• Confusion
• Unclear directions
• Humans’ resistance against new technology and new methods
• Lack of technical possibilities and knowledge in certain countries.
All help is much appreciated!!!
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Elyse NielsenSenior Project Manager| Ascension Health Information ServicesHaines City, Fl, United States
Hi Tony,
The key problem in virtual teams, is that you need different tools and techniques to assure collaboration, team building, and communication. You should consider adding this to your listing.
HEMAM RANJIT KUMAR SINGHFounder & Director| TechSure Global Consultancy LLPGuwahati, Assam, India
hi Tony,
Thanks for sharing about your research work. This is really a long list indeed. For a small organization , the cost associated with the frequent changes in Technology and equipments related to Virtual Teams/Projects might be quite higher.
Have a look at PM Network april, vol 29 number 4 there is an interesting article about this subject Saving Changes...
Priya PatraDelivery Director| Capgemini India Technology Services LtdMumbai, India
Hi Tony, I would like to call these as challenges, rather than problems.
The most evident one is Communication and collaborations along with geographical distance and time differences.
The others in my opinion exists even in co-located teams.
In case of teams geographically dispersed, we ensure that at least once a week we meet over video conferencing. once in a quarter visit each other if we are in the same country. This practice has helped us a lot in bridging communication gaps.
Hope this helps.
Priya Saving Changes...
I agree with you and all problems you have listed are valid.
Lack of skills and experience in handling multicultural as well as virtual team. Although no amount of Training can subvert the lack of skill, training does improve ones ability to handle the given situation. Saving Changes...
Austin HundleySenior Consultant| Nordic ConsultingNashville, Tn, United States
Wow the original post was from 2009, just noticed that after writing some of the content below. I doubt Toni still needs replies to this post, but in case someone else stumbles across it, maybe the following can be useful:
If your research is specifically on virtual teams and problems they encounter, I''d say your list is too wide. Some items such as cultural differences, members backgrounds, experiences and education, are not a problem for virtual teams, but rather all teams regardless of location, environment, etc.
If I were you I would limit the list to those problems that are more unique or specific to virtual teams, like others you have on your list: time differences, geographic distance, etc.
And some others I would expand on to get the full range of those issues, like lack of social interaction. I would branch off from that and talk about the lack of body language when working virtually, facial cues, tone, inflection, etc, that many people lose when they use primarily email and phone conferences. Also if video conferencing is used, things like internet connections that might cause lag and slow down what would otherwise be a fluid conversation when face to face.
Some other things to consider: Engagement - if someone works remote from home, how do you keep them focused on the project and not TV, facebook, other home distractions, etc that might be more controlled in an office setting.
I work from home frequently, and I would say I''m actually more productive than I would be in an office, but I''m wired that way, and would say that''s not the norm. Most people I know feel the opposite, and most that I have worked with who were remote, well there tended to be more issues with availability, productivity, etc
Just my 2 cents Saving Changes...
MAEN QADDOURAHProject Director| AJ SAUDIJeddah, Saudi Arabia
i WILL ADD POLITICAL ATTITUDES Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
I agree with Priya: they all are variables that impact virtual team dynamics. Of course, they will all have different degrees of influence. Saving Changes...
Brian MukoyiProjects Manager| J R Goddard ContractingBulawayo, Zimbabwe
changing technology and inability to upgrade easily and cost of technology can be challenges to consider. ease of integration of platforms as project teams change and new teams come with their different communication platforms. Saving Changes...
