Working face-to-face is known to be the best - teams build trust, get to know each other well, and achieve great results. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get all people involved in a project within a shouting distance for the duration of the work. Enter remote teams. Off-shoring and remote work are harder, but can be a good way to get work done, with the right culture and organization.

1. Costs and Benefits of
Distributed Agile Teams
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Jane Prusakova
Improving Enterprises @2014

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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

9. Can remote teams be
COMPETITIVE
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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

14. Struggle of distributed teams
Communication
Trust
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Shared vision
Teamwork

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

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

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

18. 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
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Abundant opportunities for
distrust and misunderstanding

19. 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

23. Remote Remote
Tools-based
communication
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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

24. Same or close time zones
Long distances
In-frequent travel
Continuous communication
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25. 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

31. Remote
Costs and Benefits of
Distributed Agile Teams
©2010 Improving Enterprises, Inc.
Jane Prusakova
Improving Enterprises @2014