Managing projects in the office is challenging enough, but with everybody working remotely, you’ll need to think strategically to effectively manage remote projects.
A traditional office-based workplace offers many ways to drive business projects forward. This includes meetings and quick status updates or just by simply dropping by a colleague’s desk. However, in a remote working setup, managing projects remotely requires a different strategy.
There are similarities between the two and while they are different, it doesn’t mean you should dump all project management essentials. Though you might need to be more creative in coming up with the best strategy to complete projects on time.
To help you successfully navigate managing remote projects, here are a few best practices to get you on the right track:
Transparency and accessibility
It’s important to remember you won’t see your remote staff and the tasks they’re working on everyday. To ensure your teams have the tools necessary to complete they’re projects, transparency is vital.
We suggest making sure everyone has access and can view all necessary project files. This is best done by using a cloud-based file sharing platform, such as Dropbox, Sharepoint or Google Drive.
Define the scope of your project
A project’s success relies on having a clear plan. Define what your ultimate objective is; who will be working on it; what the cost will be; and how you will measure its success.
Many businesses find it helpful to put all the project details in a single document that is shared with team members who require this level of transparency. Having all the information in one centralized location makes it easier to see updates, ask questions and provide feedback. Additionally, it cuts down on the amount of meetings required – since it ensures everyone is in the loop.
Assign roles and tasks
Break each project phase into tasks and delegate them to relevant team members. There are various project management tools you can use to make this easier when remote working, such as Monday.com, ClickUp, Trello or Asana. These programs allow you to set deadlines, assign tasks to team members and have visibility when those tasks are completed.
Implement video meetings
Effective communication is the key to successful remote project management. These days, there’s no shortage of communication platforms to help facilitate this.
A group email is the quickest way to communicate, but it is also the most likely to be misinterpreted. You could schedule a phone call but having a video conference is by far the best option. It provides you insight into non-verbal cues, allows you to explain meaning behind your words and see your team’s reaction in real-time.
Learn from the process
Once your project is complete, evaluate what went right and what didn’t. How did it go? How was it different to the office-based projects you’ve worked on?
Identifying and discussing any issues you might have encountered along the way will ensure future projects run smoother and more efficiently.
Outsource remote projects with Cloudstaff
Throughout the move to remote working, outsourcing has become an essential strategy for businesses looking to enhance their remote working capabilities.
With Cloudstaff, you can be certain that all solutions are backed by a team of industry specialists who can help you accomplish and deliver your projects on time.
The Cloudstaff platform is designed to maximize the effectiveness of remote teams and provides a mechanism for rapid deployment, process management, custom tools and software and access to our partner network.
Getting started is simple. All you need to do is let us know what roles you need for your projects and we will find top professionals to deliver the work you need.
Choose your team and manage their tasks. We do almost everything else. Get in touch with us at info@cloudstaff.com.