Virtual TeamsMaking Them Work for Your Organization

Presented By: Kim AhrensDave EarlySteve Hines

RESEARCH

RESEARCHING VIRTUAL TEAMS

Experience from team members Suggestions from Text and

Assignments Cleary Online Google Interviews

ELEMENTS TO EFFECTIVE VIRTUAL TEAMS

Access to good virtual tools Clear guidelines for team members Well defined team responsibilities Have a well thought out agenda Team members complete all

responsibilities in a timely manner Communication

ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN A VIRTUAL TEAM

Research tools before getting started Know the limitations of these tools Trust your team members Set guidelines and expectations Complete tasks on time

VARIOUS COLLABORATIVE TOOLS

TOOLS

WikiSpaces Meebo Skype Cleary Online Chat Basecamp Email Text Phone

What Worked

SUCCESSFUL TOOLS Wikispaces

• Work from one document rather than passing it back and forth to each other. It will save time and each person can contribute to the document at their own pace.

• Text and Email• This helped for reminders and setting up meetings

Skype

• Very user friendly• Has the ability for a multiple party chat

What Did Not Work

UNSUCCESSFUL TOOLS Cleary Chat Room

• Room had to be reserved and even, anyone with access could join chat.

Meebo• Couldn’t chat with more than 1 other person

at a time.

Basecamp• Fee associated

GUIDELINES FOR USING VIRTUAL TOOLS IN A

TEAM ENVIRONMENTS

VIRTURAL TOOL GUIDLINES Set Expectations Communicate Define Roles Be on Time Objective Feedback Be Prepared Respect Team Offer Help Compromise

References

Base camp [Computer program]. (n.d.). Retrieved Fall, 2011, from http://basecamphq.com

Base camp is an on-line project management program. We tested this for a possible tool.

Early, D., Ahrens, K., & Hines, S. (2011, Fall). BAC 300 [Wiki page]. Retrieved from

http://bac-300.wikispaces.com/ space/ content?showType=files&deprecatedAccess=1

Wiki spaces is the on-line format that we chose to post all of our projects.

Meebo [Computer program]. (n.d.). Retrieved 2011, from http://meebo.com

Meebo is an on-line chat room that our group experimented with and did not have good

results.

Skype [Computer program]. (n.d.). Retrieved Fall, 2011, from http://www.skype.com

Like Meebo, Skype in an on-line chat program. This was the program where most of our

group communication took place.

Hicks, M. L. (2011, December 6). Virtual Groups. Interview presented at University of

Michigan.

Matthew is the business manager for the University of Michigan Plant Hospital

Maintenance Department. This was a personal interview with Mr. Hicks Discussing his

experiences with virtual groups.