One of the core facets of the agile methodology is the collocation of teams to ensure efficiency and encourage the sharing of ideas and resources. The disruptors of today, who rely on the agile methodology for their creation process, have had their way of life disrupted. This impacts the functioning of high performing teams, required now more than ever. All this leads to the million-dollar question: can you remain agile while working remotely?

It is important to acknowledge that there will be a drop in productivity. While this is tough to avoid, it does drive home the importance of collocation in the agile methodology. However, there are certain steps that can ensure that teams continue to function the agile way, with minimal disruption.

Prioritization

Certain tasks need to be prioritized over others. This can be based on the team’s capabilities or the requirements of the business. These priorities need to be constantly refined to match the dynamic environment of today. This is an important first step to avoid the dilution of a team’s focus and allocation of resources over time. Members also need to assigned specific roles to ensure they are clear about their responsibilities and set expectations.

Communication

There are a wide range of tools available today designed to ensure streamlined communication amongst teams, no matter where they are located. Engagement and collaboration are promoted through open communication channels, helping overcome the difficulty in interpreting nonverbal cues and context. Spontaneous communication empowers teams to be more aware, allowing them to work cohesively towards the completion of their tasks. Regular stand ups also promote an open environment, beneficial to the overall morale of the team.

Team Size

Smaller autonomous teams can be more effective while working virtually, including building resiliency through complicated tasks. Additionally, scheduling becomes easier while also minimizing the number of people to coordinate development tasks with. Though small teams are a facet of the agile methodology, team size plays a crucial role in the virtual agile methodology.

Culture

The culture of a remote agile team is a crucial aspect that can impact productivity and efficiency. A strong culture is built on the foundation of transparency, trust, and continuous communication. Sharing of knowledge and ideas cultivates a sense of co-dependence that can significant accelerate the through put of any virtual team. Weekly online socials can also help in breaking the ice, especially in teams with new members who have been on-boarded virtually.

Automation

Where possible, tasks should be automated. This saves time by avoiding the need to coordinate across time zones and schedules. Automation also simplifies processes, allowing teams to talk less and do more. Employing a single overarching platform, including multiple tools, will also help in increasing efficiency by doing away with potential duplication of processes.

Tools

There are several tools available that promote collaboration and the strengthening of relationships between the members of virtual teams. Microsoft Teams, Slack and Zoom are examples of communication platforms while iDoneThis and Todoist provide a clear picture of tasks assigned, due and completed among team members. Other platforms such as Mentimeter boost audience engagement and feedback during presentations while Nureva is useful for brainstorming sessions. Other common tools such as the Google Suite, OneDrive and DropBox enable teams to work on projects simultaneously with minimal interference.

See below for a BCG analysis of the various tools available and how they can be used.