Key Lessons for Remote Teams

My capstone project with a remote team has taught me two key lessons about effective communication. First, using mobile devices and virtual meeting platforms like Zoom is essential for connecting with team members spread across locations. Second, creating a shared project schedule allows each person to fully participate in meetings and collaborate effectively. Communication issues are inevitable when teams work remotely. During our first term, we encountered obstacles like scheduling difficulties and miscommunications. Overcoming these obstacles will improve the relationship among the team and the ability to meet goals set by the client of our capstone project.

Closing the Communication Gap

Online higher education students face difficulties when working in teams from remote locations. My team faced the issue of not being able to meet in person to achieve our project research goals but that did not prevent us from developing a strong team network and open communication using mobile telecommunication devices and virtual meeting rooms such as Zoom. My team was scattered from Texas to California and separated by two time zones. To add further complications, our client was in Washington, D.C. We overcame these challenges by utilizing modern technology of mobile devices and virtual meeting rooms such as zoom. Today, it is uncommon for someone to not have a mobile device in their pocket. This technological device allows remote teams to remain in contact and closed the barrier of distance for our team. When necessary, our team would utilize zoom as a virtual meeting room. This served as a second means of communication to overcome remote teamwork barriers. The advantage of virtual meeting rooms over telecommunications is the ability to share visual presentations while being able to discuss issues and solve problems more efficiently than through text message or emails.

Success Over Distance

Overcoming the obstacles of remote communication and conflicting schedule commitments proved to be stressful at times. However, the advances in technology and strategic planning proved to help my team overcome the obstacles of poor communication. As a result of our effective communication, our capstone team delivered our semester research and literature reviews to the client in a timely manner. Providing them ample time to respond with questions and concerns.