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Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic took the world by storm, companies and firms have begun to rely on the work-from-home concept. Although a remote work environment is convenient and cost-friendly, it has certain drawbacks. One of them is that managing a remote professional circle can be challenging, especially if you have opted for offshore outsourcing. Having team members in a completely different time zone can create issues when it comes to organizing online conferences and meeting deadlines. In that case, it’s best to opt for nearshore outsourcing, so communication between team members is more manageable, as everyone's time zones will be similar. This article will give you more valuable insight into how to manage a remote development team.
How to Manage a Software Development Team Remotely
Don’t Compromise on Work-Related Tools and Software:
Investing in the best and top-notch remote management and communication tools is key to managing remote developers well and allowing them to function efficiently as a team. Tools such as Zoom, Slack, Github, and Google Drive promote a quick and smooth workflow. Most of these tools are free for use but if your company requires the pro versions or other paid tools, do not hesitate to invest, as achieving a productive remote work environment is impossible with troublesome and lagging software.
Know The Importance of Communication:
Collaboration over calls instead of mere emails should be considered. Not only does this add a more humanistic touch to remote working, but face-to-face conferences also help foster harmony and cooperation in the team. This helps in keeping team members optimistic and helps in achieving company objectives. To avoid confusion and errors, it is essential to provide clear and detailed guidelines for the project to the remote developers. The team can also internally collaborate with each other by sharing their daily reports so they know what was done today, what is on the agenda for tomorrow, and what troubles they may be experiencing. These communication improvements can also be done through different project management softwares for remote teams.
Professionalism is Essential.
Although having a friendly and fun work environment is ideal and has many benefits, make sure professionalism is maintained. The team members should know that not meeting deadlines, poor work performance, and misbehavior with colleagues will lead to consequences. Keep track of each remote worker’s performance and ensure that they are working as per their schedule and maintaining quality in their work.
Task Pipeline and Stages.
Managing a remote development team can come with challenges, such as delays in the flow of work, due to errors. A great strategy to tackle this challenge is dividing the project stages into multiple tasks in the remote development team’s pipelines. In case of disruption with one task, the team can work on another task while the cause of the error on the initial task is analyzed. This prevents the break of workflow and keeps the project ongoing. A proper division of a project into multiple tasks gives a clear and concise overview of the development process, which in turn increases productivity.
Keep Your Team Motivated.
If you’re wondering why software developers leave your company, team morale and motivation might be t the root of the issue. It may be challenging to manage a remote development team, but the outcomes are outstanding when there is good teamwork and collaboration. Rewarding your team members when they outdo themselves by complimenting their performance and, at times, even by granting bonuses. When a milestone is completed or the team performs very well, sending appreciative gifts such as travel mugs, laptop bags, and customized pens can uplift the remote team member’s morale.
Evaluate Developer Performance.
When working in a remote environment, keeping an eye on the team’s performance to ensure maximum productivity can be challenging. The team leader or the manager has to put in extra effort to observe and keep track of each member's performance. This can be done by using several remote performance tracker tools. This allows you to help out a specific team member or guide point any issues that need to be addressed. To best manage a remote development team, you can then meet with each member on a video call to discuss the issues and collaborate with them in order to derive the right solution.
Newsletters That Keep Everyone Connected
Working as a part of a remote development team means having no in-house time with employees at the firm. To connect the team with the company, leaders can craft weekly newsletters through which the team can stay up to date with the company’s changing strategies, objectives, crucial news, etc. Sending out informative resources and tips, such as podcast recommendations, along with discussing team milestones in the form of weekly emails is a great way to keep the team connected and informed. This can also allow you to keep the team members updated with related new skills and updates. Keeping the team connected and reminding them of the company’s goals is a crucial strategy for boosting work performance.
Measuring the Success of Your Remote Development Team
Effectively managing a remote development team requires a structured approach to tracking progress and performance. Without the ability to monitor employees in an office setting, managers must rely on key performance indicators (KPIs), productivity metrics, and feedback mechanisms to ensure success. Below are some essential strategies for measuring the effectiveness of your remote development team.
Define Clear KPIs and Performance Metrics:
Setting well-defined KPIs helps establish expectations and measure team efficiency. Common KPIs for remote developers include task completion rate, code quality, project deadlines met, and bug resolution speed. These metrics provide valuable insights into each developer’s contribution and help identify potential roadblocks. Performance can also be assessed through team velocity (for Agile teams), which tracks how much work is completed in each sprint. By defining clear goals and benchmarks, managers can ensure that remote teams stay aligned with business objectives.
Utilize Productivity and Project Tracking Tools
Remote teams rely heavily on project management and tracking tools to stay on schedule. Platforms like Trello, Asana, and ClickUp allow managers to monitor task progress, assign priorities, and ensure deadlines are met. Also, using time-tracking software like Toggl or Clockify can provide insights into how much time developers spend on different tasks, helping managers identify areas where efficiency can be improved. Regular reporting through these tools helps maintain accountability and keeps the entire team on the same page.
Conduct Regular Code Reviews and Quality Assessments
Code quality is a crucial indicator of a remote developer’s performance. Regular code reviews help maintain high coding standards and ensure consistency across projects. Peer reviews also encourage collaboration, allowing developers to learn from each other and improve their skills. Also, running automated tests and performing static code analysis can help identify potential issues early, preventing costly errors in production.
Gather Team Feedback and Performance Reviews
A successful remote development team thrives on open communication and continuous improvement. Managers should schedule regular one-on-one meetings and performance reviews to discuss challenges, gather feedback, and provide constructive criticism. Anonymous feedback surveys can also be used to assess employee satisfaction, engagement, and overall team morale. Encouraging an environment where developers can express concerns and suggest improvements fosters a more productive and motivated team.
Monitor Client and Stakeholder Satisfaction
The end goal of any development project is to deliver high-quality software that meets client and stakeholder expectations. Tracking customer feedback, project success rates, and post-launch issue reports can provide insights into how well the remote team is performing. If clients report frequent bugs, missed deadlines, or lack of responsiveness, it may be a sign that adjustments are needed in the team's workflow. By continuously gathering and analyzing client feedback, managers can ensure that the development team is meeting business goals effectively.
Encourage Continuous Learning and Growth
A successful remote development team thrives on continuous learning. Encouraging developers to upgrade their skills, explore new technologies, and stay updated with industry trends boosts productivity and innovation. Companies can support this by offering online courses, webinars, and mentorship programs through platforms like Udemy or Coursera.
Engaging in coding challenges, hackathons, and knowledge-sharing sessions fosters collaboration and problem-solving. A learning-driven environment not only enhances expertise but also improves developer retention, keeping the team competitive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Why Choose Blue Coding to Build and Manage a Remote Development Team?
At Blue Coding, we aim to provide the best nearshore staffing services to our clients. We specialize in nearshore outsourcing in Latin America and have a team of highly skilled developers and IT service providers. We’re the ultimate IT solutions provider, whether you need custom development or to hire remote developers for a project. With us, the safety of your company data and intellectual property is guaranteed, and our experts are available on call 24/7. Contact us now to learn more about our services and schedule a free discovery call!
