FORMATION OF A VIRTUAL TEAM

HOW TO FORM AND PARTICIPATE IN EFFECTIVE VITUAL TEAMS

The initial task during the formation of a team is to make the goal or the purpose clear to each member of the team. The task should be designed in steps so that it becomes easy for the team members.

Team members should be able to communicate clearly, constructively and positively. For management of motivational and emotional process, the different team members should appreciate and encourage the hard work of their team mates.

 

The following recommendations help the members to form virtual teams and interact effectively:-

• Select team members carefully: The success of the virtual teams depend upon the effectiveness of the team members. The team members should have suitable knowledge about the topic or the purpose of their meeting.
   
• Invest in beginnings: If it is possible, try to have a face to face meeting. This will help the team members to mingle with each other easily because they can know the abilities of other team mates more accurately.
   
• Redefine “we”: The virtual teams are successful only if the team members believe in the power of ‘we’ than ‘I’. The team members should believe in the strength of unity and friendship.
   
• Get maximum benefit from technology: The team members should make the use of speakerphones, e-mail, teleconferencing, voice conferencing, blogs, wikis, and instant messaging whenever necessary. Each member should have the knowledge to use the technology in professional manner.
   
• Collaboration and Coordination: According to Zhang and Weiss, “Collaboration and coordination are required when forming a community, pursuing individual goals while meeting community goals, and changing the structure of a community” (Zhang & Weiss, 2003). Specially, in the case of virtual teams, the team members doesn’t have much information about each other. So, it is important to collaborate with each other. Also, coordination helps the team members to run the team smoothly.

• Concentrate on building creditability: The team members should respect the feelings of other team mates. They should try to give credit to the member who have done the hard work. The instant messaging and spontaneous replies can help to build the relationships strong.

• Establish responsibilities: Each team member should have specific responsibility according to his or her qualification.

• Keep track of information: The team members should be encouraged to talk formally with each other. They should try to keep the information for any future reference or in case of any conflicts.
  

• Avoid misinterpreting messages: The team members should try to make the messages simple and easy to understand in order to avoid any misinterpretation. They should always encourage the team members to send feedback.

REFERENCES:

1. NuWave Technologies. (2010). Retrieved from: http://www.nuwavetech.com/it-project-blog/bid/43361/3-Tips-for-Managing-Virtual-Teams
2. Zhang, Yanru & Weiss, Michael. (2003). Virtual communities and team formation. Crossroads, 10(1), 5-5. doi: 10.1145/973381.973386 Retrieved from: http://dl.acm.org.library.sheridanc.on.ca/citation.cfm?id=973386