Software development is an increasingly popular remote career option. As more corporations embrace remote working, engineers are taking full advantage of the opportunity to work from home and choosing remote employment.
Remote developers have the possibility of seeking out alternative companies if their current employer does not provide an appropriate environment.
As a manager, taking on the responsibility of employing and managing remote staff can be a difficult task. Companies are looking for candidates who possess the skills of competence, adaptability, communication, and the capability to effectively manage their time and set priorities. With such an abundance of potential applicants, trying to find the ideal candidate can seem like an overwhelming task.
Managing a remote development team can be challenging, and leading such a team requires careful supervision. In order to succeed in this new era of remote working, we must adjust to our new environment and practices.
When we think of managing a team of software engineers that work from afar, what comes to mind? After this, a plethora of questions arise:
- Question: “How can we coordinate with all the distributed developers?”
- Is there a way to keep tabs on faraway programmers?
- When discussing ways to boost team output, one common question is: “How?”
- What strategies may be used to overcome differences in time zones?
- Where do we stand on cultural differences?
- Are there any ways to foster teamwork amongst engineers that work remotely?
This article provides a list of eight suggestions to address the issues discussed. Applying these guidelines can help to ensure that remote developers are managed efficiently, enabling projects to be completed on time and to the highest quality.
Establish definite objectives and standards.
Establishing clear objectives and goals is the initial step to effectively managing remote engineers. To minimize any potential confusion and ensure that tasks are completed in a timely manner, it is essential to accurately outline what is expected from the virtual team.
When collaborating with remote engineers on a coding project, it is essential to ensure that all parties are aware of the requirements, deadlines and expected results.
Your team will be prepared for anything comes their way thanks to your specific and quantifiable objectives.
Establish rules for how distant developers should interact with one another while utilizing different methods of communication
The success of a virtual team is largely contingent upon their capacity to communicate efficiently with one another. To ensure maximum efficiency, it is advisable to establish multiple communication methods.
Slack, a real-time communication network, is an effective tool for concise messages. However, for more important documents, it is recommended that these are sent separately. By following this simple rule, it ensures that your message will be easily distinguishable.
It is recommended that remote engineers utilize video conferencing tools such as Google Meet and Zoom to address any potential misinterpretations that may arise from written communication.
The information below can clear up any confusion you may have about remote working tools.
Slack
Software engineering groups often rely on comprehensive communication tools to facilitate collaboration. Slack is an excellent platform for this purpose, as it provides users with the ability to create private channels and areas for more discreet conversations. Furthermore, direct messaging and other forms of private communication allow for private discussions with individual team members without broadcasting the information to everyone. In addition, the app is compatible with multiple platforms and operating systems.
Zoom
Zoom is a highly recognized tool for facilitating online meetings and can be used to coordinate between colleagues. Its ability to accommodate up to 10,000 users simultaneously makes it an ideal solution for video lectures and other live events. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices.
In addition to configuring several forms of interaction, you may also:
- It is recommended to regularly check in with the remote developer to identify any potential obstacles. This can be achieved by scheduling meetings at weekly or monthly intervals to track progress.
- Mention the points even if you’re not sure whether they need emphasis. You’re better off saying too much than not enough.
- Show appreciation for their efforts and provide constructive criticism on a regular basis to encourage further development.
- Help remote developers keep track of their work and communicate more effectively by using a project management platform like Trello or Jira.
Be aware of time zone differences to maximize productivity.
Companies with virtual teams commonly employ remote developers from all over the world. Whilst this can be advantageous, managing daily operations across multiple time zones can often present a challenge for managers.
Virtual teams may experience a reduction in efficiency due to engineers working in different time zones, which can impede the timely provision of tailored responses.
A well-managed remote development team can enable projects to be worked on by multiple developers simultaneously around the clock. If the developer is located in a time zone ahead of the target audience, there will be sufficient time to review and provide feedback before the end of the day. Conversely, if the target audience is ahead of the developer’s time zone, the work is likely to be ready for the following day.
Therefore, it is important to maximise the use of concurrent time periods. Managers can make the most of this time by arranging regular check-ins and collaborative projects.
Don’t interfere with the work of distant developers.
Managers of remote teams should have confidence in their developers’ capability to complete tasks autonomously. Developers who appreciate autonomy often opt for remote work and the telecommuting lifestyle. Having to continually adapt one’s breathing to accommodate their posture can be irritating and will have a detrimental effect on productivity and performance.
It is important to focus on the results rather than the actions when working with remote developers. To ensure successful collaboration, it is essential to create an environment of accountability. As long as deadlines and tasks are met, try to avoid the temptation to micromanage.
Maintain adaptability in managerial roles
There will always be times when your remote development team is unable to complete tasks due to technological issues beyond of your control.
The success of your project depends on your ability as a team leader to remain cool under pressure and adjust your strategy as needed.
If you are experiencing difficulty with your remote development team, it is recommended to provide feedback. In some cases, it may be beneficial to offer guidance in order to enhance their workflow and efficiency.
Take turns talking
When providing input to remote developers, it is essential to consider the feasibility of the suggestions. Management may have the final say, however, showing appreciation for their input can be beneficial in the long run and may encourage greater collaboration. As the leader of a remote team, it is important to demonstrate a commitment to the team’s success.
There are two more approaches to this.
- Maintain on-time payment for their services.
- Acknowledge their efforts, cheer them on, and express your appreciation openly.
Confidentiality Agreement (NDA)
A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is not limited to just large corporations; it is also beneficial for smaller businesses, especially those with remote employees, as it provides protection for intellectual property.
Upon signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), a remote developer is contractually obliged to safeguard the secrecy of any ideas, concepts and projects that may be in progress at the time.
Be sensitive to the cultural variations of distant developers
Teams that bring together individuals from a range of cultural backgrounds often include remote developers from multiple countries. It is important to consider cultural differences when giving feedback or making observations about team members’ behavior.
Avoid making software engineers feel unwelcome by catering to their cultural preferences or speaking their native language in the workplace.
A Final Word
You’ll discover that productivity and performance are not affected by location if you know how to manage your remote software development team.
Applying these guidelines to your remote team management will help you turn your developers into valuable assets for your business.
Hiring skilled and experienced remote workers is crucial when assembling a software development team.
