How to Manage a Distributed Scrum Team

Today, many scrum teams and Agile organizations have incorporated some forms of remote work. This article presents the challenges of managing a distributed scrum team and provides actionable tips for success. Scrum is a fast-paced Agile development methodology that incorporates teamwork, organization, and a clear set of roles. In 2022, nearly all scrum teams have incorporated remote work. Yet, very few managers have experience in dealing with distributed teams. This article will present the challenges of managing a distributed scrum team and provide actionable tips for success. The challenge of distributed scrum teams While the positives of distributed teams usually outweigh the negatives, it would be helpful to know some of the challenges you might face. The biggest challenge when managing a remote team is communication. It’s much easier to relay information in person. Remote teams have to dedicate a significant amount of time to Zoom calls, and they’re hardly as efficient as in-person communication. At the same time, online meetings miss the social aspect of work communication, making it harder to develop a sense of unity. Communication may be even more challenging if teams are scattered across different time zones. It will be difficult to set up meetings that work for everyone. Additionally, project knowledge may be spread, halting development speed. What are the positives? Distributed scrum teams aren’t bound to a single geographical location for recruiting talent. This gives the team access to a global talent pool that will ultimately raise the quality level. Distributed teams are also not bound to a single time zone. This may boost development speed even more, as the team will be working around the clock. And let’s not forget how beneficial it is to be working from the comfort of your own home without having to commute to work every morning. Tips for managing a remote scrum team: Communicate effectively Communication in remote teams is challenging, but that doesn’t mean effective communication is impossible. The key to effective communication in scrum teams is to incorporate collaboration tools. These tools will provide [...]