This question must be asked but I just want to ask it my way.
What is the best way to maximize engagement among members of distributed teams? Mostly in terms of communication,
Thanks
+1
A:
When it's out of beta, I would recommend checking out Google Wave for any collab work, for it's simplicity in adding images/videos/other media into the wave.
Ólafur Waage
2009-11-21 00:14:48
Wave certainly seems to be destined to become a great collaborative tool. More generally, any tool that fosters semi-disruptive contacts (mail, IM, and even _brief_ phone calls) will likely improve team engagement.
mjv
2009-11-21 00:24:05
+1
A:
It depends very much on what the structure and governance of the project is. We have a number of projects of very different types and the methods differ. For example:
- Are the contributions contractual? What happens if someone does not deliver?
- Are the contributions "best endeavour"?
- Is the code Open Source?
For Open Source projects we have used Sourceforge but are moving to Google Code and Mercurial/bitbucket. These all have tools for code release and versioning.
If it's a funded project with us in control then we run regular telcons (anywhere from 2-3 times a week to 1-2 per month). Depends on the project. For Open Source we use Skype.
If it's a closed project then we may set up VPNs.
Where we are in control we set milestones and tasks and use a project management system. Where we are not in control we use whatever the central control provides.
The rates of success vary from wonderful to terrible.
peter.murray.rust
2009-11-21 00:16:47
+1
A:
Our team of engineers at sf.net is almost completely distributed across several time zones. We maximize engagement by staying in a jabber group chat most of the day and have daily standup calls and that works well.
Additionally, we've tried using things like ventrilo and team speak for keeping in greater communication throughout the day.
Those things have together helped us build a more team dynamic. Also, the times when we've been able to get the team working on a single project (rather than, say, holing people off into side projects where they work on their own for weeks on end) have been generally more successful in terms of morale than the times when we work more independently throughout the day.
Paul Huff
2009-11-21 00:20:07