1. Remaining Agile on Virtual Teams
Project Management PSU
11/2/2017

2. Introduction Lisa Komidar FusionStorm Expert Services
Project Engineer Manager, FusionStorm
25 years at PSU until June 2017.
PMI CAPM, PMI ACP, Scrum Master
FusionStorm Expert Services
A flexible, customized, high touch, supplemental engineering support contract focused on improving the customer experience by delivering exceptional day two operational support. Expert Services provides on-demand access to SMEs, process development, automation, daily infrastructure monitoring, reporting, proactive management and remediation.
Customers and engineers globally.

3. Agenda What is Agile Agile values
Key principles for today’s discussion
What it means to be a “Distributed Team”
Importance of “Forming” and “Storming”
Communication tips and tools
Team motivation in a virtual workplace
Facilitation tips
Collaboration tips and tools
Discussion is encouraged!

4. Tips and Tools
Tips
Tools

5. What is Agile?

6. Agile Values Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
Working software over comprehensive documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Responding to change over following a plan

7. Key Principles 12 Principles total Today’s focus
Today’s focus
4. Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project.
5. Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done.
6. The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.
Some sites specifically mention co-located teams

8. Distributed Teams
Agile Principles recommend that teams be co-located in a collaborative environment

9. Distributed Teams
Today’s reality according to “The 2015 State of Scrum Report” 74% of those responding to a survey are like this

10. Team Development Cycle
Critical for building commitment to decisions and results.

11. Forming & Storming
Important for developing good communication habits and build commitments
Hold kick off meeting in person when possible
First iteration in person when possible

12. Forming & Storming Team members share the vision
Team members understand all of the tasks
Procedures developed as a team
Cultural awareness

13. Virtual Icebreakers Set Goals for the Ice Breaker
Make people comfortable
Determine how much time you can afford
Consider individual locations
Technology
Advance communication

14. Virtual Icebreakers Life Snapshot Social Question Two Lies and a Truth
Cup of Joe for All!

15. Communication Types Virtual teams depend on the less desired formats.
Most Favorable
Virtual teams depend on the less desired formats.
Least Favorable

16. Communication Techniques
Video Conferencing
WebEx
Skype
Google Hangout
The Good
Allows for video & a sense of face to face
Can be cost effective especially for small teams
The Bad
Dropped words
Dropped connections
Difficult with big teams
Talking over each other
Long pauses

17. Communication Techniques
Video Conferencing
WebEx
Skype
Google Hangout
Improve on the bad with good facilitation skills
Keep to an agenda
Send the agenda out in advance for improved decision making
Keep meeting on time (55 minutes if possible)
Engage participants with questions
Facilitate, not control
Document the call and ask for feedback

18. Communication Techniques
Osmotic communication
Slack
AIM (end of life December 2017)
Trillian
Pigdin
The Good
Instant
Who’s online
Team discussions
Synchronous or Asynchronous
The Bad
Always on mentality
Hard to really achieve osmotic communication

19. Communication Techniques
Osmotic communication
Slack
AIM
Trillian
Pigdin
Improve on the bad
Maintain channels for different levels of chatter
Project
General
Urgency
Lead by example
Keep up on technology changes
Access effectiveness often

20. Team Motivation Invest time upfront to build relationships
Find unique ways to recognize accomplishments
Schedule agile coaching sessions
Empower the team
Provide professional training and education opportunities

21. Facilitation Techniques
Tips
Video
Eliminate Multitasking
Engagement - Share roles

22. Working jointly towards a common goal
Collaboration
Working jointly towards a common goal

23. Collaboration Techniques
Documentation
Google
Microsoft
Dropbox
Box
The Good
Multiple users
Team buy-in/ownership
Accuracy improved via instant feedback
The Bad
Personal preferences conflict
Anyone can make changes
Security/confidentiality concerns

24. Collaboration Techniques
Documentation
Google
Microsoft
Dropbox
Box
Improve on the bad
Utilize security/permission built in tools
Foster trust and communication efforts

25. Collaboration Techniques
Project Management Information
Trello
Smartsheet
Jira
ServiceNow
The Good
Multiple users
Access to entire team, sponsor, project owner, etc.
Available at all times - not just when PM is available
The Bad
Only good if updated
Security/confidentiality concerns

26. Collaboration Techniques
Project Management Information
Trello
Smartsheet
Jira
ServiceNow
Improve on the bad
Utilize security/permission built in tools
Keep up to date on a daily basis
Set a time to do this each day
Keep meetings to minutes to allow 5-10 minutes for updating

27. Questions? Let’s have a conversation What are your good and bad?
What tools do you find useful?
What tools do you dislike using?