The+Three+Stages+of+Virtual+Team+Development

=The three stages of virtual team development =

//Stage 1: Setup//
The importance of planning for Virtual Teams. Setup begins with determining and sharing the team's purpose, since every virtual team is forced around a business purpose. Without a shared purpose, virtual team members could easily focus on local tasks and concerns while excluding going efforts to achieve organisational objectives.

//Stage 2: Follow Through//
The importance of implementation and performance Follow Through is how you ensure that the team adheres to norms created and agreed upon during the Setup phase. Leaders must remain vigilant so that the team practices agreed upon procedures; they must be sure that straight forward feedback mechanisms exist to offset the lack of physical proximity.

What is the best way for leaders to engender this commitment? By embedding predictable checkpoints in team procedures and processes.

Another common obstacle faced by virtual teams is a lack of accountability. When daily physical contact is not possible, members often overlooked the fact that colleagues located elsewhere are dependant on them for information and services. A leader can check in and remind less responsive participants about jointly agreeing upon norms. Additionally, timelines a priorities must be in place.

//Stage 3: Refresh//
The importance of realignment. During a team's natural life span, changes occur because the projects original goals may change, in addition the members of the team may change. The leader must engage with the team to make sure that changes have not caused any problems and that the full team is happy with their obligations and time scales. Refreshment on a regular basis to remind the team of their purpose will help keep the team energised and on track. The leader also needs to make sure that team members have time to recharge. It is good to set some time for the team to be able to talk informally to create bonds that are much easier in the real environment.

Zofi Yael, A Managers guide to Virtual teams 2012.