Remote Tech: Best Practices for Collaboration and Productivity

Since the pandemic, the popularity of remote work has grown immensely, along with hybrid work. Computer and IT positions are the most likely to engage in remote work as of 2023 due to the virtual nature of these positions. Employees in these fields are learning to adapt to the differing demands of working online, as workplace culture is historically suited for in-person collaboration. 

It can be challenging to work productively and cooperatively in an online setting. Without in-person communication, it’s critical for employees and companies to set up new lines of communication and embrace the potential for reliable virtual interactions. 

Below, we’ve outlined the best practices that all remote tech workplaces should put into place to maximize collaboration and productivity without having to come into the office. 

BEST PRACTICES FOR REMOTE TECH COMPANIES

Set clear goals and expectations

Communicating entirely online can lead to miscommunications especially if said communication is simply sent through a message. In-person communication leaves room for asking for clarification, analyzing tone of voice and body language, and oftentimes promotes active listening. 

When working remotely in tech, take the extra time to have full-length conversations about goals and expectations to ensure nothing is left misunderstood or forgotten. It can be helpful to write expectations out for later reference, like by email, so it can be visited again in the future.  

Clear communication ensures that employees can function as a team, alleviating pressures from confusing or challenging project objectives or other workplace difficulties. Leaving room for misinterpretation can result in a detraction from team productivity, so ensure you’re communicating clearly to avoid confusion and slowdowns. 

Embrace flexibility

In today’s remote tech world, variations in team member schedules and work styles have created a need to embrace flexibility and adapt to employee differences. A benefit to remote tech work is that teams can now be comprised of employees from different locales and time zones. While this does open the door to bringing in more qualified engineers and programmers, it can create challenges in setting up meetings and handling time-sensitive matters. 

It’s critical to be flexible so that teams can collaborate effectively from different geographic locations. As a result, you’ll be more likely to access an increasingly diverse talent pool and create more innovative project teams. 

Flexibility is also necessary for handling unexpected challenges. Having an adaptable schedule can allow for team members to respond to complications and confusions in a timely manner. If team members have authority over their schedules, they will be able to take time and collaboratively establish solutions and keep projects moving along the set timeline.  

Providing employees with authority over their own schedules also promotes engagement in the work materials and greater accountability for project responsibilities. Basing successes off the quantity and quality of work completed rather than merely the hours spent online can create more creative, motivated employees who take ownership of their work even away from the workplace. 

Utilize user-friendly software

A key component of improving virtual communication is utilizing communication software that is optimized for the goals and needs of a team. Platforms like Slack, GitHub, and Microsoft Teams encourage real-time communication and create easy ways to quickly bounce ideas back and forth or hop on a short call.  

Employees will be able to collaborate more effectively when communication is streamlined through a singular, user-friendly platform. There are a greater number of ways to provide feedback and project updates quickly, keeping project status current and all necessary project information readily available for team members. 

Engage in virtual interaction

Establishing and maintaining strong workplace relationships can be challenging without in-person conversations. Take the time to set up opportunities for virtual interaction to ensure you can clearly communicate without misunderstandings and still get to know coworkers, managers, and other members of your team. 

Take advantage of online communication platforms that allow real-time, face-to-face conversations. Conversing with video encourages active listening, which can lead to increased employee engagement and stronger team relationships. 

In addition, try to introduce casual conversation that goes beyond work updates and information. Taking the time to communicate about interests, family life, or other more personal topics can help you feel more connected to your team. This will boost team morale and strengthen relationships to create a more cohesive team dynamic. Groups can also incorporate virtual team building activities, such as online happy hours or competitive games, to create a more relaxed, friendly environment that extends beyond work-related conversation. 

Implement Mentorship Programs

In remote tech jobs, employees don’t have immediate access to information and solutions in the same way as in the physical workplace. Establishing a mentorship program can help all team members get up to speed by providing an opportunity for faster information transfer in the case of questions or unsolved challenges. 

For new employees, acclimating to the company culture online can also be difficult without in-person interactions. Having a mentor within the team can help to communicate company norms and expectations and can also provide personalized feedback on necessary skills and project goals. Remote work can be challenging, but the creation of a mentorship program helps to connect all employees to the entire team and can encourage long term professional development and career growth. 

Maintain collaborative documentation

Working as a team to meet project goals can be especially challenging online due to challenges with documentation and project reports. With multiple employees working together on code or other deliverables online, it’s critical to promote collaborative documentation so work is not lost. 

Practice strict version control so all employees are handling updated information and can collaborate on joint assignments. Version control software allows teammates to work asynchronously and make changes to code and files simultaneously, discouraging project slowdowns. 

LOOKING AHEAD

Working remotely can open the door for a more flexible, individualized lifestyle for employees, but it doesn’t come without unique challenges in communication and collaboration. By implementing the suggestions above, you can maintain an active team role and maintain your engagement in project objectives without having to physically be in the workplace.  

Contact BCTG today to continue the discussion. 

Contributions from Sam Weitzel