You're leading a remote team. How can you ensure operational planning runs smoothly?
Leading a remote team presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to operational planning. Ensuring smooth execution requires a different approach compared to traditional office settings. You must consider factors like time zones, communication platforms, and team morale. Operational planning involves setting goals, establishing procedures, and allocating resources to achieve your team's objectives efficiently. It's about creating a roadmap for your team to follow, which is especially important when your team isn't physically together. With the right strategies, you can foster a productive remote work environment that keeps everyone on track and focused on common goals.
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Todd GouldSystems Engineering Director, Palo Alto Networks Business Insights | Technical Insights | Connect and Follow
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Chad PlengeDirector at Spencer Stuart | Leader | Organizational Change & Leadership Development Professional | Army Veteran
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Christopher ChappellGeneral Manager - Operations @ EEA Group | Six Sigma Black Belt | Sales Leadership | Operational Excellence |…
Setting clear, achievable goals is the cornerstone of successful operational planning for remote teams. You need to articulate what success looks like and break it down into manageable tasks. Establishing SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—provides your team with a clear direction and a sense of purpose. Ensure that these goals are communicated effectively to every team member, so they understand their individual and collective contributions towards achieving them. Regularly review these goals to accommodate any changes in the business environment or team dynamics.
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The 7 items listed are all great starting points, and Culture is likely the most important, but the big miss here is TRUST. You must establish a trusted relationship between yourself and your team, and that must be bi-directional. You need to know you can count on the team to be productive and accomplish the tasks in front of them, and they need to know they can come to you with anything that they feel they need to, including downtime or off hours work. Remote management can never work without trusting in what you cannot physically see happening.
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Prolonged remote work has disrupted previous operational procedures. So, it’s critical that goals are set in terms of KPIs and milestones within a timeline and are time bound. Also, it makes a big difference working remotely without physical contact and camaraderie with others and between those who must work closely together. Hence, having a cohesive strategy must be articulated, clearly understood, and implemented to manage expectations and achieve a unified goal.
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1. Clear Communication Channels: Ask questions, and seek clarification 2. Set Clear Objectives and Goals: Make sure team members understand their roles and responsibilities 3. Regular Check-ins: These could be daily stand-up meetings or weekly progress updates 4. Utilize Project Management Tools: Trello, Asana, or Jira 5. Document Processes and Procedures: Maintains consistency 6. Encourage Collaboration: Tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack can facilitate 7. Flexibility and Adaptability: Recognize that remote work comes with its challenges
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One thing I discovered in my long career journey, always look at the issue from outside the frame to be able to achieve your goals.
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First of all check the individual team member skills. Then allot the goals as per there skills. Monitor the individual performance. If any one falling give support & training. This will lead to team building with desired skills. Give the next goals to team member. Moniter the PDCA cycle. Thus the team will be best performer Team & ready to take more challenges.
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In short, Ensuring operational planning runs smoothly in a remote team setting involves a combination of clear communication, effective use of technology, structured processes, and team engagement. Here are some strategies to achieve this: 1. Clear Communication 2. Effective Use of Technology 3. Structured Processes 4. Team Engagement 5. Adaptability and Continuous Improvement 6. Effective Leadership By integrating these strategies, you can ensure that your remote team operates efficiently and effectively, with clear goals, strong communication, and a collaborative spirit.
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In the realm of remote work, the clarity and alignment of goals are even more critical due to the lack of physical presence. SMART goals not only provide a roadmap for success but also facilitate better accountability and tracking of progress. It's important to utilize the right tools for setting and reviewing these goals, ensuring they remain visible and top-of-mind for every team member.
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1. Set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 2. Communicate effectively: Ensure everyone understands individual and collective goals. 3. Break down goals: Divide big goals into manageable tasks. 4. Regular reviews: Adapt goals to changes in business or team. 5. Clear direction and purpose: Goals should provide a clear path for the team.
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SMART Goals ... Effective Monitoring, Resorces as needed, Benchmark with Best Processes, On-site Support and Motivation will ensure success.
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Every member of the team has to buy into the mission I speak from an Army Spec Ops perspective IF one or more members of the team are just going thru the motions, the chance of mission failure rises Also one team too long in one place makes for staleness Would argue that teams should remain in site 3 to no more than 6 months — then rotate out. Speaking militarily— TM LDR and TM SGT professionalism is key as well
The right tools are vital for remote operational planning. Choose project management software that fits your team's size and complexity. This platform should allow you to assign tasks, track progress, and manage resources in real time. Communication tools are equally important; they should enable instant messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing to keep everyone connected. It's essential to provide training on these tools to ensure all team members are competent in using them. This will help in maintaining efficiency and preventing any miscommunication or delays in project timelines.
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Leading remote teams effectively requires a combination of strategic communication, robust technology, and empathetic leadership. As the workplace continues to evolve and remote work becomes more commonplace, the tools and methodologies used to manage remote teams are critical to their success. The saying “A fish rots from the head” means it’s all up to the leadership to set the course and drive the progress. Empower the team with the right tools, support, and guidance and success will follow.
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Technology provides great tools, but I think it's important not to excessively mandate what or how often team members use technology. By that I mean someone could have a different way of doing things that may involve different technology. Or, they simply don't like the technology being asked of them. I hate video conferences; I absolutely hate being on camera and I don't see a need for it on a team that I have worked with for some time. So, while some use of technology is a must and should be standardized/mandated across a team, it's important to allow employees, especially experienced and/or proven employees, to have some say in how often and what technology is mandated.
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Utilize video conferencing platforms, instant messaging apps, and document sharing platforms to stay connected. Use project management tools to assign tasks, track progress, and collaborate on documents in real-time. Consider using time management apps to help team members stay on track and manage deadlines effectively.
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Managing remote teams has its share of challenges. With so many moving parts, it is imperative that your teams are empowered to achieve their mission and this occurs when there is a high level of trust, respect, and accountability. Furthermore, as a remote leader, the utilization of project tools are necessary for you to maintain a clear vision of expectation management. When managing a remote team, I have found that agile methodologies are a beneficial framework to manage a remote team. The use of the sprint meetings, WBS, and communication tools such as Slack, and MS Teams are essential to mission accomplishment.
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It’s important to have a review system whenever you are leading the team Remotely.. Some Examples : 1) Common Folder (Linked with VPN) 2) communication meeting for review 3) Review with VC 4) Project Management Task chart to check plan vs actual and proactive action for expected upcoming challenges. Thanks
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Para garantir a eficácia de uma equipe remota e manter um equilíbrio de autonomia, é essencial utilizar ferramentas eficazes. Ferramentas de comunicação como Slack ou Microsoft Teams facilitam a comunicação instantânea e a criação de canais específicos para diferentes projetos. Videoconferências com Zoom, Google Meet ou Microsoft Teams são importantes para reuniões face a face e check-ins regulares. Ferramentas de gestão de projetos como Trello, Asana ou Jira ajudam a organizar tarefas, acompanhar o progresso e definir prazos claros. Essas ferramentas ajudam a manter a equipe conectada, organizada e produtiva, promovendo um ambiente de trabalho colaborativo e eficiente, mesmo à distância.
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Modern gadgets and Apps enabling checking of attendance at remote sites and video calls are good to prepare, execute and supervise operational plans. Regular asking of progress on agreed and disseminated templates will boost coordination and evaluation of progress. Supply Chain management employing project management tools will assisst uninterrupted execution of projects as per envisaged time line.
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El uso de herramientas efectivas es un aspecto crucial para la planificación operativa en entornos remotos, donde la coordinación y la comunicación pueden ser más difíciles que en un entorno de oficina tradicional. Aquí se destacan varios aspectos importantes que deben considerarse al seleccionar e implementar estas herramientas. La selección de herramientas efectivas para la planificación operativa remota implica más que solo elegir el software adecuado. También es necesario asegurarse de que estas herramientas permitan una comunicación fluida, proporcionar capacitación adecuada y fomentar la integración entre plataformas. Con estas medidas, se puede mejorar significativamente la eficiencia y la coordinación en un entorno remoto.
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Choosing the right tool is a game-changer for remote operational planning. But with so many options available, choosing the right one depends on specific factors like team size and complexity, project needs, and your budget. More factors to be considered like integration capabilities with other software and security.
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1. Use project management software for tasks, progress tracking, and resource allocation. 2. Implement communication tools for messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing. 3. Train team members on using the chosen tools effectively. 4. Ensure clear communication to avoid delays and miscommunication. 5. Choose software based on team size and project complexity.
Regular check-ins are a lifeline for remote teams. Schedule daily or weekly meetings to discuss progress, address challenges, and provide feedback. These sessions encourage accountability and give team members the opportunity to voice concerns or ask for help. It's also an opportunity to build rapport among team members, which can be challenging in a remote setting. Video calls are preferable as they add a personal touch and help in building stronger connections. Remember to keep these meetings concise and focused to respect everyone's time.
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I have found that the best way to ensure that the organization and team stays on track is to have short, frequent check-ins to ensure we can adjust sooner rather than later. Waiting until there is an emergency is counter productive.
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Having a cadence of check-ins is a best practice. I will often have two different cadences. First, I set a regular check-in that's required on a fixed schedule. Then, I set a check-in based on certain milestones. This ensures there are regular touch points as well as discussions at key moments.
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Trust supported with regular meetings or powerful software reporting tool will let you reach quickly to your gool as long as you achieve the minimum required for your knewledge.
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1. Regular check-ins (daily or weekly) for remote teams. 2. Discuss progress, and challenges, and provide feedback. 3. Builds accountability, addresses concerns, and fosters rapport. 4. Use video calls for a personal touch (optional). Keep meetings concise and focused.
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Check-ins são essenciais para manter uma equipe remota alinhada e garantir que o planejamento operacional funcione bem. Realizar reuniões diárias rápidas ajuda a alinhar as tarefas do dia e resolver problemas imediatos. Reuniões semanais permitem discutir o progresso dos projetos e resolver questões maiores. Reuniões mensais são úteis para revisar o desempenho e planejar a longo prazo. É importante definir uma agenda clara para cada reunião, com tópicos específicos, e manter as reuniões breves e objetivas. Utilizar ferramentas de videoconferência, como Zoom, Microsoft Teams ou Google Meet, facilita a comunicação face a face, enquanto ferramentas de gestão de tarefas, como Trello, Asana ou Jira, ajudam a acompanhar as tarefas e prazos.
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Don't assume everyone is on the same page. Schedule individual or small group check-ins to monitor progress, identify roadblocks, and offer support.
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Regular check-ins are important, but there's a nuance to consider regarding meeting frequency. Daily meetings might not always be the most effective approach, factors like meeting Overload should be taken into account. This is because constant meetings can disrupt workflow and be counterproductive. Daily meetings might be better suited for quick updates and identifying roadblocks. Deeper discussions and brainstorming sessions might be better addressed in dedicated weekly meetings. Consider your team's preferences. Some might thrive on daily huddles, while others might prefer a more asynchronous approach with written updates.
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I would also advocate for check-ins to incorporate the remote team walking in their own green or blue spaces. This promotes wellbeing and gets everyone away from their desk environment, resting executive function. It is great for deeper connection and resilience as well as more authentic thinking.
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a rotina da gestão remota precisa fazer sentido, não adianta ter diversos "check points" que não mostram utilidade nem troca efetiva entre as pessoas. há muitas(os) líderes que usam os check-ins como forma de controlar o trabalho, isso mostra (quase sempre) uma estrutura de gestão frágil. foque na autonomia e na capacidade de manter uma operação baseada nas trocas assíncronas, aqui os momentos e conjunto serão mais efetivos tanto para o fortalecimento dos laços, quanto no andamento das ações.
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Use the tool that we call operation design, in that you see the efforts, the decisivo and the decision points. These tangible points are a good way to control the hole process.
Striking the right balance between autonomy and oversight is key in remote operational planning. You want to trust your team to manage their time and tasks without micromanaging them. However, it's also important to have systems in place to monitor progress and ensure that everyone is contributing effectively. Empower your team by providing the resources they need to work independently while establishing clear expectations and accountability measures. This approach promotes a sense of ownership and can lead to higher job satisfaction and productivity.
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You must establish trust. Grant trust until it’s broken. Then realign the employee or team on where things went off course and gradually release the reigns again.
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Establishing trust between team members and team leader/project manager is not just important but is a necessity. It heavily factors in finding the balance between autonomy and oversight. Trust enables and empowers everyone to contribute and be made accountable. Ultimately, sense of ownership becomes a shared experience, which leads to higher productivity and better results collectively.
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Set clear goals SMART goals and hold your team accountable for achieving those outcomes. Trust them to choose their methods and manage their time effectively. Provide resources and authority to complete their tasks. Encourage open communication to discuss challenges and roadblocks and seek guidance when needed. Establish clear performance metrics aligned with your goals to monitor progress and identify areas where additional support or guidance might be needed.
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Trusting your team while having a structure for accountability is indeed a delicate balance. Here are some strategies that could help reinforce this balance: Set Clear Objectives: Define clear, measurable goals that align with your team’s responsibilities and the overall objectives of the organization. Utilize Project Management Tools: Implement project management software that allows team members to update their progress in real-time, fostering transparency and accountability. Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and feedback. By implementing these practices, you can create a productive remote work environment that respects autonomy and ensures effective oversight.
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Manter um equilíbrio de autonomia em uma equipe remota é fundamental para garantir produtividade e satisfação no trabalho. É importante dar aos membros da equipe a liberdade de gerenciar seu próprio tempo e métodos de trabalho, enquanto ainda se mantém uma estrutura clara para orientação e responsabilidade. Para alcançar esse equilíbrio, é essencial estabelecer objetivos claros e mensuráveis, permitindo que cada membro saiba o que é esperado deles. Ao mesmo tempo, é vital manter linhas de comunicação abertas, oferecendo suporte e feedback contínuos sem micromanagement. Ferramentas de gestão de projetos podem ajudar a acompanhar o progresso sem interferir na autonomia individual.
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If you have clear guidance set for your leaders, you can allow them maximum autonomy once the team is all pulling in the same direction. Most first line supervisors crave the ability to manager and lead in a manner that best suits their leadership style. As long as they have clear goals, giving them the freedom to build their own team culture helps build a sense of ownership.
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Há que ter uma confiança ímpar entre os membros da equipe. Delegar, monitorar e cobrar. Cada indivíduo tem suas responsabilidades inerentes ao propósito do trabalho a ser executado.
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El trabajar con autonomía se logra desde la formación del grupo, conocer a tus colaboradores y sus fortalezas te da ese plus para que el equipo de profesionales trabaje con total autonomía y se haga bien, el trabajo en equipo depende mucho de la calidad de profesionales qué tengas. La fortaleza de cada uno de los miembros debe de solventar la falta de conocimiento o experiencia del otro para trabajar en complemento en pro del equipo.
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1. Trust But Verify: Empower your team by providing resources and trusting them to manage their work, but have light-touch check-ins to monitor progress. 2. Clear Expectations, High Ownership: Set clear goals and deliverables so everyone is accountable, fostering a sense of ownership for success. 3. Resourceful Independence: Equip your team with the tools and training they need to work independently, boosting confidence and productivity. 4. Communication is Key: Maintain open communication channels for feedback, questions, and updates to keep everyone aligned. 5. Empowerment Pays Off: Trust and autonomy lead to higher job satisfaction and a more productive remote team.
Cultivating a strong team culture remotely can be challenging but it's crucial for operational planning. Foster an environment where open communication, collaboration, and mutual respect are the norm. Celebrate successes together and encourage a sense of camaraderie. This could involve virtual team-building activities or informal 'coffee chats' where team members can connect on a personal level. A positive culture helps in overcoming the isolation that can come with remote work and keeps your team motivated and engaged.
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1. Open Communication & Respect: Make open communication and mutual respect the pillars of your remote team. 2. Celebrate Together: Recognize and celebrate successes together to boost morale and camaraderie. 3. Virtual Team Building: Organize virtual activities or informal chats for personal connections and team bonding. 4. Fight Isolation: Foster a positive culture to combat isolation and keep your team motivated. 5. Motivation & Engagement: A strong remote culture keeps your team engaged and working towards shared goals.
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When team members work from remote locations, it is possible that the 'culture' of the team gets diluted. Leaders must focus on this aspect by doing the following: Ensure members follow a hybrid model where everyone is required to work on-site based on a schedule. This will keep members in touch with the workplace's cultural environment. Newly recruited members must work from the office as much as possible rather than from a remote location. This will be good for their cultural onboarding. As a matter of discipline, insist that regular work hours are adhered to from 'home' as well. Ensure clear instructions and timebound results. Avoid too many virtual meetings. These disrupt workflow and usually do not achieve a great deal.
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Managing expectations is crucial for a remote team. It is essential to maintain productivity through clear communication and sharing resources. Remote teams may prefer to work in isolation. Therefore, holding structured meetings with clear objectives is necessary to foster sharing of initiatives and best practices on a regular basis. Aligning with both the business needs and the team's needs is vital, as expectations are mutual and impact all parties involved.
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Most importantly, let’s not confuse culture with behaviours. Culture is an ephemeral state that any group, system, company, family, or other feel and live, but it is the outcome of three underlying cornerstones: people (behaviour), policies (processes/routines, formal or informal), and technology (the tools available, digital or analogue). To generate or transform any organisational culture we must look at the status quo and identify where the imbalances lie. Is outdated technology driving inefficient processes, leading to dissatisfied people? Have the processes not kept up with increasingly advanced technological opportunities and frustrate everyone along the value chain? Are people unwilling to adapt? Identify the issue to change first.
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Mission first- people too - autonomy as a trait - responsibility is dominant behavior - support provided unconditionally by one's own perseverance.
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Key one for me as an executive coach is ensuring the team feels psychologically safe to flag up concerns with the confidence to question a decision in a respectful and collaborative way without fear of retribution. For psychological safety to be built and maintained there should be personal connection, a shared purpose with interpersonal and organisational trust. If you work on those key elements, you will lay excellent foundations for a high performing team to evolve.
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Start from basics 1) First Check the mode of communication. Whether the mobile network is available at their place or not. Check whether mails are working. 2) After that identify the comfortable time as per best fit time zone . 3) Remember the name of associates with photos even though they are in large no. 4) Identify key resources 5) Send an Invite to key resources for a daily morning meeting to understand the Major, medium and minor issues. Monitor the issues. 6) Develop a special task force team amongst the associates, arrange weekly meeting with them to solve major issues 7) Setup a long term and short term goals. 8) Identify resource who can generate daily MIS as per given formats 9) Identify best performers and reward them.
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Ensuring operational planning runs smoothly in a remote team setting hinges on cultivating a strong team culture founded on mutual trust and understanding One thing I’ve found helpful is investing time in getting to know my team members both personally and professionally. Virtual team-building activities, one-on-one meetings, and creating a supportive environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns are crucial steps in this process.
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Encuentros personales, cara a cara son necesarios para lograr conexión y cohesión de los equipos de trabajo. Es importante programar encuentros 1 o 2 veces por año de todo el equipo para cultivar cooperación y empatía entre todos.
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Uma das questões essenciais neste ambiente, é celebrar junto a equipe as conquistas do dia a dia. A conexão tende a ser cada vez mais holística.
Operational planning is not a set-and-forget process, especially with remote teams. Embrace continuous improvement by regularly soliciting feedback from your team on processes and tools. Analyze what works well and identify areas for development. Encourage your team to be proactive in suggesting improvements and be willing to adapt your strategies as needed. This iterative approach ensures that your operational planning evolves with your team's needs, leading to sustained efficiency and effectiveness over time.
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Consistently track both individual and team performance against predefined KPIs. Offer constructive feedback and coaching to support team members in enhancing their performance and reaching their objectives.
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Empowering team members, whether your team is working remotely, hybrid, or not, should be a mandate for those in leadership position. Effective decision making is premised on building a consensus. This means enabling and encouraging team members to speak out, make recommendations, and feedback. Having critical viewpoints will help identify all the pain points when working towards a desired outcome. Also and more importantly, by continuously improving standards, you develop a work ethic and culture where efficiency and progress are fostered and cultivated.
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Descartar lo que no está funcionando rápidamente, sin remordimiento ni lamentos. Buscar y probar nuevas alternativas para la solución de tranques y problemas.
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Operational planning in remote teams should be treated as a dynamic process, where continuous improvement is encouraged through constant feedback from team members. This enables effective adjustments in processes and strategies, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability, crucial for maintaining long-term operational efficiency and effectiveness.
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La mejora continua es un enfoque esencial para la planificación operativa, especialmente en el contexto de equipos remotos donde la adaptabilidad y la flexibilidad son fundamentales. La mejora continua es un componente vital de la planificación operativa en entornos remotos. Implica un enfoque estructurado para obtener retroalimentación, analizar datos y tendencias, fomentar la proactividad y la innovación, y mantener la flexibilidad para adaptarse a nuevas circunstancias. Este enfoque iterativo garantiza que la planificación operativa siga evolucionando con las necesidades del equipo, conduciendo a una mayor eficiencia y eficacia a lo largo del tiempo.
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previously a team leader with detachments in Iraq and Afghanistan Put effort into selection and training. Select for leadership skills , confidence personality and trust as well as technical skills. do not deploy 2nd rate people, keep looking. when deployed trust them to make correct and safe decisions. do not micro manage. visit them, regularly talk to them and their on site leaderhip or customer. When neccessary replace them early. Poor detachments are often due to poor selection. that is your responsibility!
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Clear Goal clarification from the onset will help direct your teams towards the objective. Goal clarification must outline 'what success looks like' as-well as expectations. In terms of way of work, the team needs to know what are the desired method(s), frequency and tools of communication. Project resources and tools must also be clearly communicated, along with a project roadmap. Trust is paramount and as a leader you are pivotal in constructing a culture of accountability and results without inhibiting progress through micro-management, given the absence of face-to-face interaction. There must also be flexibility balanced with clear boundaries.
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Schedule frequent one-on-one meetings to discuss both work-related matters and personal well-being. Run regular team meetings to keep everyone aligned, share updates, and create a sense of belonging. Promote work-life balance. Encourage employees to set boundaries and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
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