Sailing Smoothly with Agile: A Captain's Guide for Remote Teams

Just like a ship navigating through the stormy seas, managing remote teams in an agile environment can be a rough ride. However, you can reach your objective without incident if you have the correct tools and tactics. Here are a few recommendations for managing remote teams in an agile setting.

Chart your direction first through concise communication. The same way a ship's captain sets the crew's route, remote teams also benefit from clear leadership. Regular check-ins and instruments for collaboration and communication that are clearly established are crucial.

Second, put your crew's safety first and allow them the freedom to decide how to proceed. Agile is based on the idea of self-organization, which is crucial while working from a distance. Encourage your team members to take initiative and own their decisions.

Third, foster a spirit of unity among your crew. The crew of a ship is like a family, and distant teams can experience a sense of disconnection. Regular social outings or virtual team building exercises can foster a sense of connection among distant team members.

Fourth, be vigilant for any impediments and make necessary adjustments. Similar to how a ship's captain must monitor shifting weather patterns and alter the route as necessary, remote teams must do the same. Be flexible with team members' schedules and demands and make sure to communicate crucial details often.

The Fifth & final one would be to make certain that everyone on board is aware of the location and has the means to get there. Agile teams must have the tools and resources necessary to accomplish the project's goals and objectives.

To end this article, Managing remote teams in an agile setting can be difficult, but by adhering to these best practises, you can travel without any hiccups. Keep in mind to plot your plan with clear communication, trust your crew, foster camaraderie, be on the alert for obstacles and adapt as necessary, and ensure that everyone is aware of the destination and has the means to get there.

I hope the above was able to help provide some perspective to managers in a similar setting to better plan to manage their teams remotely especially in an agile delivery setting, until the next time I write an interesting article, stay successful !

About the author

Pranav Menon is a highly skilled Scrum Master with experience in various industries and a track record of helping organizations transition to Agile frameworks.?

He is skilled in stakeholder management, identifying new market opportunities, and serving as an Agile Coach. In his downtime, Pranav is a huge advocate of using Scrum for non-IT development, such as creative writing and entertainment product development, as well as for learning new skills. He also loves to travel and go on long rides on his Royal Enfield Meteor 350 as a distraction from work Life.