Leading a successful project with a hybrid team

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed many things, including how the so-called hybrid model of working has become much more prominent. This model means team members do not attend the office every day but work in part remotely and partly at the regular physical workspace. Often, some team members may even work from home full-time or operate in a completely different time zone. Successful management of a project with the help of such a hybrid team requires a specific approach. This article looks at what this entails.

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Find the positives the hybrid model offers

According to ProjectTimes.com, you must first look at the specifics and positives the hybrid model provides in the particular context of your team. For example, if one team member works in a different time zone, can they be tasked with communicating with a representative of the client based in the same time zone? Many managers see only drawbacks in a dispersed and disjointed team; however, the hybrid model also provides specific opportunities and advantages, which you need to find and make use of.

Define (very) clearly the roles of individual team members

Within the hybrid model, employees do not meet informally as much as they would in a standard team at the office. This means some unclear matters that could otherwise be solved during a coffee break at the office may become much bigger issues than they need be. Thus with hybrid teams it is essential you define clearly and precisely the roles of individual team members more clearly than with a standard team and state where one worker's obligations end and those of another begin.

Carefully monitor the work and efficiency of employees

As you do not sit with your team in the office, you have no direct overview of employees' activity, productivity and working habits. This is why you must very carefully select the tools you will use to monitor the employees' work and efficiency. You should also devote sufficient resources and time to a continuous analysis of your team's work.

Clearly define rules for the team and processes of internal communication

The hybrid model has certain specifics and is more demanding in terms of efficiency and clarity of communication, plus internal processes within the team. Clearly define the rules of working, including the number of hours, how communication happens and what procedures will be followed, so that interaction between team members is as effective and quick as possible.

 

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Article source Project Times - a US website and community focused on project management
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