7 Best Practices in Remote Team Management: A Guide

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced organizations and teams across the globe to rapidly adapt to a new way of working - remote work. For many organizations, this has been a huge culture shock and a major challenge.

As a project manager, you play a vital role in ensuring that your team is able to transition successfully to a remote work environment. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about setting your team up for success with remote work tools.

Best Practices in Remote Team Management

1. Implement a Communication Strategy

Effective communication is essential for any team, but it is especially important for remote teams. There are a few key things you can do to ensure that your team is able to communicate effectively:

- Set clear expectations for communication frequency and format.

- Encourage team members to over-communicate.

- Use video conferencing for important meetings and conversations.

- Invest in a good chat tool, and make sure everyone is using it regularly.

2. Use Project Management Tools

Project management tools will help you to keep your team organized and on track. There are various project management tools available, so choose one that will work best for your team. A few popular options include:

- Asana

- Trello

- Basecamp

3. Set Up a Time Tracking System

If you are working with a remote team, it is important to set up a time-tracking system. This will help you to see how your team is spending their time and to identify any areas where they may be falling behind. There are a few different time-tracking tools available, so choose one that will work best for your team. A few popular options include:

- Toggl

- Harvest

- RescueTime

4. Use a Collaboration Tool

A collaboration tool will help your team to work together on projects, even when they are not in the same location. There are various collaboration tools available, so choose one that will work best for your team. A few popular options include:

- Google Docs

- Dropbox Paper

- Box

5. Implement a Password Management System

When it comes to protecting your business, one of the most important things is to control access to your systems and data. This means you need to have strong passwords that are changed regularly.

While it may be tempting to reuse passwords or use a password that is easy to remember, this makes it easier for hackers to access your systems. Instead, you should use a password manager to create strong passwords and store them securely.

This way, you can have different passwords for each of your accounts, and you won't have to remember them all. There are several password managers available, including:

- LastPass

- Dashlane

- 1Password

- KeePass

6. Cloud Storage

One of the essential remote work tools is cloud storage. Cloud storage allows your team to access files and documents from anywhere, anytime. This is essential for team collaboration, as it allows everyone to have the most up-to-date version of a document.

There are many different cloud storage providers, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive. Make sure to do your research to find the best provider for your needs.

7. Mobile Hotspots

To stay connected, your team will need access to a reliable internet connection. If your team members do not have access to a stable home internet connection, mobile hotspots can be a lifesaver. Mobile hotspots can be purchased relatively cheaply and can be used to connect multiple devices to the internet at once.

Conclusion

There are many factors to consider when transitioning your team to work remotely. As a project manager, it is your responsibility to ensure that everyone has the tools and resources they need to be successful.

The most important thing is to ensure that communication is clear and constant. There are various remote work tools available to help with this, and it is important to find the ones that work best for your team.

With careful planning and execution, you can successfully transition your team to working remotely.

Tandem is a reliable and easy-to-use office chat program that helps employees communicate with each other and connect with remote team members. With Tandem, team members can easily share ideas, files, and messages in real-time, making it easier for everyone to stay on the same page. Try Tandem for free today!