Leading Virtual and Remote Teams

What is this course about?

This course offers the proven hints, tips, theory and techniques for recognising and dealing with the range of challenges that are unique to working remotely. You learn to help your geographically dispersed or virtual teams collaborate successfully.

After you complete this three-day course, you will have the skills to anticipate and manage the risks inherent in remote and virtual working. You will lead more effectively across time zones and cultural differences. You will gain a deeper understanding of the potential future impact of social networking and support your team to more effectively use common communication technologies, including e-mail, intranets, instant messaging (IM), blogs and wikis.

What background do I need?

No special background is required. You only need the desire to become more effective at what will become an increasingly widespread method of leading teams in the 21st century. We assume that you are familiar with core virtual technologies such as e-mail, video conferencing and the telephone.

Who will benefit from the course?

• People taking on the responsibility of virtual leadership for the first time
• Established leaders and managers who would like to develop a more effective approach to the challenges of delivering results across organisational, geographical and time boundaries
• Individuals who are part of a virtual or remote team

Is this course hands–on?

No. The focus of the course is on how to lead and manage people. We review different virtual working technologies, and put their contributions - positive and negative - into the wider context of leading and motivating teams to deliver results with the challenges of working at a distance.

How does this course approach the topic of managing in virtual and remote situations?

Separation amplifies the effect of a number of factors that are relatively insignificant when managing a team of people in the same location.

The planning phase of remote and virtual projects must allow for the numerous risk factors that can impact delivery-time differences, cultural perspectives, interpersonal friction and communication errors. This approach enables managers to be more robust and realistic in planning and executing.

Recognising that there is a problem and then choosing the best response to the situation are key skills. Anticipating the challenge is an even more effective approach that requires an enabling, proactive mindset and a move away from the common model of reactive management.

How is the course structured?

The course combines lectures and activities. The activities provide practical learning to reinforce concepts and tools described in the lecture sessions.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How much time is devoted to the activities?

Approximately 55 percent of the course time is spent in activity sessions that reinforce the concepts and provide practice on techniques set out in the course materials, including:

• Evaluating virtual communication technologies
• Identifying and managing risks in virtual and remote work
• Mapping and analysing the team environment
• Analysing stakeholder priorities
• Creating a team vision and success criteria
• Quantifying the effects of separation
• Identifying actions to optimise virtual working effectiveness

Is this course applicable toward a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification?

Yes. Though this course is not designed as preparation for an exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward, or maintaining, a PMI certification. Most PMI certifications require a specific number of PDUs in order to obtain and maintain the credential. Completion of this course provides 17 professional development units (PDUs).

Learning Tree offers several courses that help you prepare for PMI certifications, including Course 276, Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam, which prepares you for PMI's most popular certification. For more details on these courses and PMI certifications, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Learning Tree offers other courses in communication, management and planning. The only overlap in content is to the extent necessary for a certain course to introduce skills and techniques that are expanded in another Learning Tree course.

• 288, Achieving APMG Change Management Practitioner Certification provides the knowledge and skills to guide the people in your workplace through the process of change
• 290, Management Skills covers the key aspects of management – leadership, delegation, motivation and communication – and practical techniques for getting the best from people
• 292, Communication Skills: Results through Collaboration focuses on specific tools and techniques for improving listening skills, delivering effective messages and bridging different communication styles
• 294, Influence Skills: Getting Results without Direct Authority focuses on the specific skills, behaviours and attitudes that enable you to achieve desired results without relying on the use of authority
• 296, Project Management: Skills for Success provides the knowledge and skills needed to successfully plan, manage and deliver projects
• 222, Leadership Skills: Building Success through Teamwork provides the skills required to inspire service teams to deliver high-quality results
• 340, Project Management for Software Development provides the tools you need to effectively organise and select process choices, create realistic plans and see them through to successful delivery
• 344, Time Management Essentials provides strategies, techniques and tips to set priorities and manage the daily pressures of meeting important and urgent commitments in your life

UK Dates