You're managing a VR team and things aren't going as planned. What can you do to get everyone back on track?

1 Assess the situation

In order to effectively solve any problem, it is essential to first understand its root causes and effects. Taking the time to evaluate the current state of your VR project, your team's performance, and your own leadership style can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your project and team. Ask yourself questions such as what are the main goals and milestones of the project, what are the main challenges or obstacles your team is facing, how is your team's communication, collaboration, and morale, how are you managing workloads, resources, and deadlines, and how are you dealing with the stress and uncertainty of the VR project. Answering these questions can provide insight into which areas need improvement or intervention.

2 Communicate effectively

Communication is a key skill for managing a VR team, as it allows for creating a shared vision, coordinating tasks, exchanging ideas, resolving issues, and building trust. To achieve this, use the appropriate channels and tools for different types of communication - such as video calls for brainstorming sessions, chats for quick updates, and emails for formal reports. Additionally, be clear and concise in your messages; avoid jargon, ambiguity, and contradictions. Visuals, examples, and data can help support your points. Moreover, listen actively and empathetically to your team members; encourage them to share their opinions and acknowledge their contributions. Provide constructive feedback in a timely manner; praise their achievements and suggest concrete actions for improvement. Also seek feedback from your team members, stakeholders, and users - ask for their perspectives on the VR project and incorporate their feedback into your decisions. By communicating effectively with your VR team you can foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and innovation.

3 Delegate and empower

Delegation is a key skill for managing a VR team, as it involves assigning tasks and responsibilities based on individual skills, interests, and availability. This process can help optimize your team's productivity, efficiency, and creativity. To delegate and empower your VR team, you should define the scope, objectives, and criteria of each task, choose the right person for each task, provide the necessary resources and support, monitor and evaluate the progress and quality of each task, and encourage autonomy and initiative among your team members. By delegating effectively and empowering your VR team, you can boost their confidence, engagement, and ownership.

4 Adapt and innovate

Adaptation is the final skill needed for managing a VR team, which entails the ability to adjust to changing circumstances, demands, and opportunities. To stay up-to-date with the latest developments and best practices in VR, you should follow the news, research, and events related to VR. It's also important to experiment and test different solutions and approaches for your VR project. Collecting data and feedback from your tests can help you learn from your successes and failures. Additionally, you should embrace change and uncertainty in order to be flexible and open-minded to new possibilities and challenges. By applying these tips, you can create a unique and valuable VR product that meets the needs of your users and stakeholders. Furthermore, managing a VR team can help you develop your own skills as a leader and a VR professional.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?