Improving Effectiveness on

Distributed Teams

Rick Neighbarger

Enterprise Quality Assurance Manager

Grange Insurance

Improving Effectiveness on

Distributed Teams

1

2

3

Distributed Team: Definition

Benefits

Challenges

5

6

Building a distributed team

Leading a distributed team

7 Working on/with a distributed team

What is a Distributed Team?

• Group of coworkers

• Working closely together

• On a regular basis

• To achieve shared business goals

Is my workgroup a

team?

What is a Distributed Team?

• Either shared manager or matrixed team

• Work from home

• Regularly or on occasion

• Work from office

• Citywide/national/global distribution

What are the

benefits of

distributed teams?

Distributed Teams

FOR COMPANY

• Talent from larger pool

• Reduced brick & mortar

expenses

• Reduced environmental impact

• Improved productivity*

• Flexibility for life & family

• Improved work/life balance

• Reduced environmental impact

• Lower expenses*

FOR EMPLOYEE

Benefits of Distributed Teams *Ideally

(depends

on the

situation)

What are the

challenges of

distributed teams?

Distributed Teams

Challenges of Distributed Teams

How do I build a distributed team?

How do I lead or manage a distributed team?

How do I work on a distributed team?

How Do I Build a Distributed Team?

It’s hard to

• Convince management & HR to allow remote teams

• Identify the right people for a distributed team

• Form team relationships remotely

• Onboard team members/deliver common training to all

How Do I Lead a Distributed Team?

It’s hard to

• Set/manage objectives remotely

• Know if everyone is working

• Reward good effort remotely

How Do I Work on a Distributed

Team?

It’s hard to

• Communicate what we need to get the work done

• It’s hard to conduct distributed meetings

• It’s hard to collaborate on documentation

• Minimize disruptions from home environment

• Not gain weight working so close to the kitchen

Respect Above and through all: respect for everyone!

Name Role Company

Gary Johnson Enterprise Testing Consultant

Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Services,

Ottawa, Canada

Gary Westoby Enterprise Testing Consultant Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Services,

Sheffield, England

Gay Todd Testing Manager Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Services,

Michigan, USA

Anne Berg IT Analysis Manager Nationwide Insurance,

Des Moines, USA

Improving Effectiveness on

Distributed Teams

Thanks to the following colleagues who contributed from their wealth of experience working with distributed teams!

These practitioners have over 75 years combined experience working

with and managing distributed teams.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Rick at:

NeighbargerR@GrangeInsurance.com