What are the best ways to help remote teams prioritize their work effectively?

1 Define clear goals and expectations

The first step to prioritize work is to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and why. As a team facilitator, you should help your team set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals that align with the organization's strategy and values. You should also communicate the expectations for each team member, such as their roles, responsibilities, deliverables, and deadlines. This way, your team will have a common direction and a shared understanding of what matters most.

2 Use a prioritization framework

The next step to prioritize work is to use a prioritization framework that can help you rank your tasks based on their urgency and importance. There are many frameworks that you can use, such as the Eisenhower matrix, the MoSCoW method, or the RICE score. The key is to choose one that suits your team's context and preferences, and to apply it consistently. A prioritization framework can help you and your team decide what to do first, what to do next, what to delegate, and what to eliminate.

3 Create a visual workflow

The third step to prioritize work is to create a visual workflow that can help you track and manage your tasks. A visual workflow is a tool that shows the status and progress of your tasks, such as a Kanban board, a Gantt chart, or a calendar. A visual workflow can help you and your team see the big picture, identify bottlenecks, and adjust your priorities as needed. You can use online tools like Trello, Asana, or Google Calendar to create and share your visual workflow with your remote team.

4 Communicate frequently and effectively

The fourth step to prioritize work is to communicate frequently and effectively with your remote team. Communication is essential for keeping your team informed, engaged, and aligned. As a team facilitator, you should establish regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and updates with your team, using the appropriate communication channels, such as email, chat, video call, or phone. You should also encourage your team to communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully with each other, and to share their challenges, achievements, and suggestions.

5 Review and refine your priorities

The fifth step to prioritize work is to review and refine your priorities regularly. Priorities can change over time, depending on the internal and external factors that affect your team and your organization. As a team facilitator, you should monitor the performance and satisfaction of your team, and collect and analyze data and feedback from your stakeholders. You should also involve your team in the review process, and ask them for their input and opinions. This way, you can identify what works well and what needs improvement, and adjust your priorities accordingly.

6 Celebrate and reward your team

The sixth step to prioritize work is to celebrate and reward your team for their efforts and achievements. Prioritizing work can be stressful and demanding, especially for remote teams that have to deal with different challenges and distractions. As a team facilitator, you should recognize and appreciate your team's contributions, and show them how their work matters and makes a difference. You should also create opportunities for your team to have fun, relax, and bond, such as virtual happy hours, games, or quizzes. This way, you can boost your team's morale, motivation, and loyalty.

7 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?