Remote teams have their advantages: skills not found in the local markets, lower turnover. At the same time, organizations rarely have good instincts nor information on how to manage remote people and distributed projects. Successful distributed operations require careful management, organizational maturity, and benefit from better people available.

1. ©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Pragmatic Agile:
Distributed Team
Jane Prusakova
Improving Enterprises @2014

2. ©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Why Agile?
Complex problem space
High-risk projects
Smart workforce
Continuous learning

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Why Distributed?
Availability of resources

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People matter
Hard-to-find skills
Excellent team work
Innovative approaches

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In the ideal world
Face to Face
always wins*
* all else being equal

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In the ideal world

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In reality
* all else is never equal

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Can remote teams be
COMPETITIVE
with collocated teams?

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Lets consider trade-offs

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Who are
the remote team?

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Who are
the remote team?

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… and their reasons
Avoid traffic
Workspace setup
Music, snacks,
chair
Live close to
family

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Struggle of distributed teams
Communication
Trust
Shared vision
Teamwork

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Collocated Remote
Face-to-face
communication
Tools-based
communication

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Collocated Remote
Face-to-face
communication
Tools-based
communication
Natural flow of
interactions
Limited
interactions

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Collocated Remote
Face-to-face
communication
Tools-based
communication
Natural flow of
interactions
Limited interactions
Traditional ways
to build trust and
share vision
Abundant
opportunities for
distrust and
misunderstanding

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Working together as a team
Collocated Remote
Face-to-face communication Tools-based communication
Natural flow of interactions Limited interactions
Natural ways to build trust and
share vision
Abundant opportunities for
distrust and misunderstanding

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Improve remote teams

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Communication
Pick the best tools for different kinds of
communication
Building consensus
Information transfer
Team dynamics

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Craft opportunities
for interactions

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Trust and teamwork
Teamwork is everyone’s responsibility

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Remote Remote
Tools-based
communication
Mindful communication
using the right tools
Limited interactions
Craft interactive
opportunities
Abundant
opportunities for
distrust and
misunderstanding
Mature team focused
on building trust and
shared vision

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Same or close time zones
Long distances
In-frequent travel
Continuous communication

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Same or close time zones
Long distances
In-frequent travel
Continuous communication

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Dream Team
Wide-bandwidth communication
Face-to-face is ideal
Excellent technical skills and experience
Great teamwork
Shared vision, working relationships
Stability over time

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Remote Team
Wide-bandwidth communication
Face-to-face is ideal
Well thought-out communication via tools
Excellent technical skills and experience
Great teamwork
Shared vision, working relationships
Stability over time

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Competitive advantage
Better people
Technical skills
Soft skills
Emotional maturity
More stability
Remote work option is rare and desirable
Connectivity easily available

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Pragmatic Agile:
benefits of distributed teams
Remote
Jane Prusakova
Improving Enterprises @2014